The 68th Annual Grammy Awards delivered a moment of unexpected, lighthearted confusion that quickly became a highlight of the evening. While presenting the final award for Record of the Year, music legend Cher experienced a brief onstage slip.
Taking the podium after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier in the night, Cher was tasked with announcing the winner. After a pause filled with anticipation, she initially declared the late soul icon Luther Vandross as the recipient. The singer quickly corrected herself, revealing the true winner: Kendrick Lamar for his track “Luther,” a collaboration with SZA.
The moment was met with warm applause and understanding from the audience. Lamar, who has now amassed an impressive 27 Grammy awards throughout his career, took the stage with grace and humor, embracing the unique introduction.
His winning song, “Luther,” directly pays homage to Vandross, creatively sampling the 1982 duet “If This World Were Mine” by Vandross and Cheryl Lynn. In his acceptance speech, Lamar expressed profound respect for the late singer, calling him one of his favorite artists of all time. He described the emotional significance of receiving clearance to reinterpret the classic record, viewing it as a privilege and a testament to the enduring bridge between musical generations.
The evening celebrated both legacy and contemporary achievement, underscored by a genuine, human moment that reminded viewers of the shared passion at the heart of the music industry.