Francis Specker/CBS ©2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Although Mickey Guyton didn’t walk home a winner at the 63rd Grammy Awards, she still shook the stage when she belted out her Grammy nominated hit “Black Like Me.”

The singer, who has spoken out against racism in country music, particularly the controversy with disgraced singer Morgan Wallen, dazzled in her bronze dress as she gave it all on stage.

The lyrics she put extra emphasis on were, “If you think we live in the land of the free/ You should try to be oh, Black like me/ Oh, I know I’m not the only one who feels like i don’t belong.”

She also pointed up to heaven as she cheered, “And someday we’ll all be free.”

The 37-year-old singer is the first Black female country singer to perform on the Grammys stage. She also made history as the first Black female solo artist to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category. She lost out on the Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance to Vince Gill‘s “When My Amy Prays.”

Guyton’s performance, part of Grammys spotlight on the women of country, was followed by rousing performances by Miranda Lambert, who sang “Bluebird,” and Maren Morris, who sang “The Bones” joined by John Mayer.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.