Music icon Prince quietly made an important statement before introducing the nominees for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night.
"Albums. Remember those? Albums still matter. Like books and black lives, albums still matter. Tonight and always," Prince said, referring to the slogan used in recent protests of alleged abuses by law-enforcement officials throughout the United States.
He then presented the Album of the Year Award to rocker Beck for his CD Morning Phase.
The ceremony ended with Beyonce's stirring performance of the gospel song "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," which was followed by "Glory," Common and John Legend's anthem from the civil rights-themed drama Selma.