Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s new band Silk Sonic showed up to perform tonight at the 2021 Grammys. They performed their new single “Leave the Door Open” while donning sunglasses and matching brown suits. Watch it happen below.
After the initial list of Grammy performers was announced, Mars posted an open letter to the Recording Academy asking for a spot on the show. “If you can see it in your hearts to allow two out of work musicians to perform at your show, we would really appreciate it,” the group wrote. “We just released a song and could really use the promotion right now.” Mars and .Paak then orchestrated a fake breakup on Twitter, and then when their performance was announced, they advertised it by saying “Silk Sonic reunites for one night only.”
Anderson .Paak’s “Lockdown” was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Music Video; he won Best R&B Album last year. Bruno Mars dominated the 2018 Grammy Awards, winning Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year (over Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, JAY-Z, and others). The new album An Evening With Silk Sonic is due later this year, but currently has no release date.
Follow all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2021 Grammy Awards.