Trevor Noah returned to host the Grammy Awards for the sixth year in a row on Sunday night. And he started the show with some harsh jokes about the likes of Jeff Bezos and Nicki Minaj.
The former “Daily Show” host began his monologue at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena with a shoutout to Rosé Mars and Bruno Mars, who opened the show with their hit song “APT.”
“The 68th Annual Grammy Awards has officially begun,” Noah, 41, said.
“We also have front row seats to the best concerts money can buy,” he said before listing artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Reba McIntyre and rapper Lauryn Hill.
“The last time Lauryn Hill performed at the Grammys was in 1999,” Noah said. “Back in 1999, the president had a sex scandal. People believed computers were going to rule the world. And Diddy got arrested.”
“Hey, times have changed,” the comedian added sarcastically.
Noah went on to give a shoutout to the “royalty of the house,” including Queen Latifah and Jamie Foxx, and criticize the Amazon CEO’s star-studded wedding in Italy in June.
“There are so many stars in this room. It’s like being at Jeff Bezos’ wedding, but with more black people,” he joked.
Noah also attacked Nicki Minaj for expressing support for President Donald Trump.
“Nicki Minaj isn’t here. She’s in the White House discussing some issues with President Trump,” she jokingly said, giving an exaggerated impression of the president, before adding, “Actually, Nicki, I have the biggest butt…that’s me…wop, wop, wop. Here you go, baby.”
After walking around the room and visiting several tables, Noah approached Justin and Hailey Bieber and asked if the makeup mogul had a discount code for Lorde’s Lip Tint.
This year marks the sixth consecutive Grammy Awards hosted by Noah, but this will be the last time he hosts music’s biggest night.
The show’s executive producer, Ben Winston of Fulwell Entertainment, said Sunday would be the comedian’s “last” appearance when announcing Noah’s hosting last month.
According to Variety, Winston said, “I’m so excited to welcome back Trevor Noah as host for the sixth and, unfortunately, final time at the Grammy Awards.” “He’s the most phenomenal host on the show. He’s so smart, so funny, and a true fan of the artists and the music.”
“His influence on the show has been truly amazing and I can’t wait to work with him one last time,” he added.
However, Winston also revealed that he had to beg Noah to come back for one last hurrah.
“After last year’s show,[Noah]respectfully said, ‘Look, I’ve had five great years. It’s time to pass the microphone to someone else and move on,'” Winston told Entertainment Weekly earlier this week.
“Even in December, I still hadn’t found anyone to truly love,” he said. “I sent him a video, and I literally got down on my knees in this video and said, ‘Come back and make it your last year. Your last year at CBS. Let’s make it your last year.'”
After a 50-year partnership with CBS, the Recording Academy has signed a new $500 million, 10-year deal with Disney that will award the Grammys to ABC, Disney+ and Hulu starting in 2027.
