Erykah Badu opened up her night as host of the 2017 Soul Train Awards in a different fashion. Instead of the usual music number or something comically over the top, the R&B songstress opted for kneeling in support of Colin Kaepernick and his ongoing activism efforts.
While the awards ceremony broadcast opened with some festive music and dancing, the tone quickly switched when Badu finally graced the stage to raucous applause. While it wasn’t readily apparent where she was going with her opening monologue, Badu quickly got to her point and kneeled onstage at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
“I know I usually do a big elaborate musical number, but right here I feel I need to do this,” Badu said prior to taking a knee. “This is for Kap. Kap, we appreciate you, for giving your life, giving up your dream, because you believe in us.”
The arena stood in unison as Badu kneeled with most applauding and others raising a right fist as well. Badu also took a humorous shot at President Donald Trump, which got big laughs from the audience.
The video of Erykah Badu showing support for Colin Kaepernick can be viewed in the clip below.
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Photo: Screen Cap
