Three Ukrainian performers wearing the blue and yellow of Ukraine’s flag joined U.S. artist John Legend during the 64th Grammy Awards on April 3 in Las Vegas.
Ukrainian American musician Siuzanna Iglidan and singer Mika Newton — whose sister is serving in the Ukrainian army — accompanied Legend on a newly released song that includes the lyric, “Rain down freedom until we are all free.”
Iglidan played the bandura, a stringed folk instrument central to Ukraine’s cultural heritage and national identity.
Ukrainian poet Lyuba Yakimchuk joined at the end, finishing with a poem that asked for protection for Ukraine and her family. Yakimchuk escaped Ukraine less than a week before her Grammy appearance.
The Grammy Awards showcase outstanding achievement in the music industry and are presented annually by the Recording Academy.
