With every hosting gig comes a gimmicky opening monologue, but leave it to Erykah Badu to add some much-needed flair to the format.
Fresh off the release of But You Caint Use My Phone, her new mixtape and first full-length issue in half a decade, Badu announced she’d be banning rap from the ceremony, since “tonight is all about soul.” True to the theme of her latest material, she then faked phone calls from three performers: Andre 3000, Young Thug, and Iggy Azalea.
While the first two were turned away (“I ain’t letting anybody in with no ‘Lils’ and ‘Youngs’ in their name”), Iggy got a pass…because what she’s doing is “definitely not rap.” Cue massive cheer from the audience and several awestruck reaction shots.
It was great! And then R. Kelly gave the finale performance, which was…less great. Watch the Kelly-free clip below: