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John Legend and Common walked away with the Academy Award for best original song at the Oscars last night - and delivered two the most powerful speeches of the night. Read them in full below.
It was widely expected that the pair would walk away with the award for 'Best Original Song' but it surprised many by the depth of feeling that was displayed in their acceptance speech.
Common began by saying the bridge Martin Luther King and his protestors marched across represented a fight back against discrimination off all forms
"This bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation," he said. "The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and social status. The spirit of this bridge is connects the kid from the South Side of Chicago dreaming of a better life to those in France standing up for their freedom of expression to the people in Hong Kong protesting for democracy. This bridge was built on hope, welded with campassion and elevated by love for all human beings."
Watch Common and John Legend's official video for 'Glory'
John Legend echoed his musical partner's opinion.
"Nina Simone said it's an artist duty to reflect the times in which we live," Legend said. "We wrote this song for a film that reflects events that happened 50 years ago. But we say that Selma is now because the struggle for justice is right now. We know the voting rights act they fought for is being compromised in this country today. We know that right now the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today than there were in slavery in 1850. When people are maching with our song, we want to tell you we're with you, we see you, we love you and march on."
Glory beat Tegan and Sera and the Lonely Island's 'Everything is Awesome', Rita Ora's Grateful as well as Glen Campbell's 'I'm Not Gonna Miss you' and Adam Levine's 'Lost Stars'.
To read Gigwise's review of Selma by Bipolar Sunshine click here.
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