The Weeknd ends yearslong Grammys boycott with surprise performance

The Weeknd made a surprise return to the Grammy Awards on Sunday, ending his long-standing boycott against the ceremony. The Canadian artist, who previously criticized The Recording Academy as "corrupt," performed his new song "Cry For Me" at the 67th Grammy Awards. His appearance followed a speech by the academy's CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., who highlighted recent reforms, including an increase of over 3,000 voting members for a more diverse and modern voting process.

Mason Jr. acknowledged The Weeknd's past criticisms regarding the transparency of the awards, stating, "I heard them. I felt his conviction." With the changes, the voting pool has become younger and now features nearly 40% people of color among the 13,000 members, showing a commitment to diversity in the nominations.

In a significant shift from past practices, Mason Jr. noted that all nominees for major categories are now determined solely by a wide voting base, rather than a review committee narrowing down the selections. This move aims to establish a more democratic and representative nomination process.

While acknowledging that there is still progress to be made, Mason Jr. expressed optimism, stating, "I firmly believe we're on the right path." He emphasized the unifying power of music, especially in challenging times.

This year's Grammys were notably held in Los Angeles amidst the backdrop of devastating wildfires, with the show paying tribute to firefighters and raising funds for affected communities. The evening highlighted the resilience of music and its role in bringing people together during difficult periods.