The Best Quotes and Speeches from the 2019 Grammy Awards

All eyes were on the 2019 Grammy Awards to not only better represent female artists after last year's #GrammysSoMale debacle, but also provide a snapshot of and honor popular music from the past year. The result was a more well-rounded telecast that delivered several stunning performances — and, naturally, some pretty memorable quotes and speeches, too. Click through for some of the best, funniest, and most inspirational quotes from the 2019 Grammy Awards. (Photos via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy + Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Alicia Keys: Instead of a traditional opening monologue, host Alicia Keys welcomed Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and none other than Michelle Obama to the stage to speak about the impact music has had on their lives. "Music is what we all love, music is what it's all about," Keys said as she introduced the segment. "Everybody is out here shining and I'm so proud to bring us together to honor this moment because music is what we cry to, it's what we march to, it's what we rock to, it's what we make love to. It's our shared global language." (Photo via Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Lady Gaga: Gaga, in particular, opened up about how it helped her to accept her uniqueness. "They said I was weird, that my look, my choices, my sound, that it wouldn't work," she said. "But music told me not to listen to them. Music took my ears, took my hands, my voice, and my soul and it led me to all of you and to my Little Monsters, who I love so much." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Jada Pinkett Smith: "We express our pain, power, and progress through music, whether we're creating it or just appreciating it," Smith said during the girl power monologue. "But here's what I know: Every voice we hear deserves to be honored and respected." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Michelle Obama: When it was former First Lady Michelle Obama's turn to speak during the opening segment, she could barely get a word out before being drowned out by cheers and applause. "From the Motown records I wore out on the South Side to the 'Who Run the World' songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story," Obama said, as the crowd — still on their feet — listened intently. "And I know that's true for everybody here, whether we like country or rap or rock. Music helps us share ourselves, our dignity, our sorrows, our hopes, and joys. It allows us to hear one another, to invite one another in. Music shows us that all of it matters, every story, every voice, every note, in every song. Is that right, ladies?" (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Lady Gaga (again): Gaga, along with an unfortunately absent Bradley Cooper, won Best Pop Duo/Group for "Shallow," and she used her short time at the mic to address mental health awareness. "I'm so proud to be a part of a movie that addressed mental health issues," she said. "They're so important. A lot of artists deal with that, and we've gotta take care of each other. If you see somebody that's hurting, don't look away. And if you're hurting, even though it might be hard, try to find that bravery within yourself to dive deep, and go tell somebody, and take them up into your head with you." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Drake: After turning down an offer to perform, Drake took the stage to accept the Best Rap Song award for "God's Plan" — and to tell everyone watching that, actually, winning awards ultimately doesn't matter. "We play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport," he said. "You've already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you're a hero in your hometown. If there's people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and snow, spending hard-earned money to buy tickets to your shows, you don't need this right here. You already won." Producers cut to commercial before he could say anything else. (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Cardi B: The "I Like It" rapper took home the Best Rap Album award for Invasion of Privacy, making her the first solo female artist to ever take the category. "I can't breathe," she said, near speechless, as she accepted the award. "Child, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, the nerves are so bad. Maybe I need to start smoking weed." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Dua Lipa: "One Kiss" singer Dua Lipa nabbed the Best New Artist award, and in accepting the honor, she made sure to point out that six of the category's eight nominees were women. "Where I want to begin is by saying how honored I am to be nominated alongside so many incredible female artists this year, because I guess this year we've really stepped up?" she said, referencing outgoing Recording Academy president Neil Portnow's incendiary comments following the 2018 Grammys. She went on to urge viewers to pursue their passion against all odds. "No matter where you're from, or your background, or what you believe in, never let that get in the way of you and your dreams," she said. "Because you deserve it." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Kacey Musgraves: Musgraves won all four awards she was nominated for at the 2019 Grammys, including Album of the Year. "Life is pretty tumultuous right now for all of us," the country singer said as she accepted the night's biggest prize, praising her fellow nominees. "I feel like because of that, art is really thriving, and it's been really beautiful to see that. Thank you for championing mine." (Photo via Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)