This weekend, a groundbreaking moment unfolded at the Vatican as Clipse became the first rap artists to perform at the renowned St. Peter’s Square.
Their performance was part of the Grace for the World concert on September 13, an international event co-directed by Pharrell Williams and Andrea Bocelli aimed at spreading messages of unity and peace, according to Complex.
Pusha T, real name Terrence Thornton, and No Malice, real name Gene Thornton, teamed up with John Legend to deliver a heartfelt rendition of “The Birds Don’t Sing,” a track from their album Let God Sort Em Out.
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This was the first time a concert has ever taken place at this historic venue, coinciding with the World Meeting on Human Fraternity.
Pharrell, a longtime friend of the Thornton brothers, played a significant role in bringing this event to life through his company, Something in the Water.
“I want to sincerely thank His Holiness Pope Leo [XIV] for opening the doors to this sacred place to us all, and reminding us that true compassion and grace begin with fraternity, seeing one another as brothers and sisters, and fellow human beings,” Pharrell said during the historic concert’s opening remarks, according to EuroNews.
“This is an opportunity for people to galvanise, and recognise their strength in numbers. We still haven’t done that as a species, we still haven’t asked ourselves for the sake of humanity, far beyond the reaches and constrictions of different religions, can we just hold hands for a moment and see the light that we have,” he concluded his powerful message about unity.
Bocelli added, “Let us shine a spotlight on humanity with music from the very heart of Christianity and the most important spiritual square, reaching the entire world with a single message of brotherhood and peace.”
Besides Legend and Bocelli, the concert featured an impressive lineup, including artists like Jennifer Hudson, BamBam, Jelly Roll, Karol G, and Teddy Swims.
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In addition to the musical performances, attendees and viewers around the world enjoyed a spectacular aerial drone and light show by Nova Sky Stories, which displayed imagery inspired by the Sistine Chapel over Vatican City.
According to Euronews, over 80,000 people attended the Grace for the World concert.
In the years leading up to this momentous performance, Clipse have continued to redefine their legacy. Pusha T, a leading figure in hip-hop, released his album It’s Almost Dry in 2022 to critical acclaim, featuring collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z and Kid Cudi. No Malice, on the other hand, has focused on his spiritual journey, using his music to explore themes of faith and redemption.
Rolling Stone reported that other hip-hop artists may be inspired to delve deeper into spiritual topics after Clipse’s performance in the Vatican, realizing the potential of their platform to influence international discussions about faith, redemption, and human connection.
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