Latifah’s “Dearly Beloved” Grammys

The NARAS publicity machine has had social media on lock since announcing Queen Latifah would officiate a wedding ceremony for 34 couples during Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ performance of the new marriage equality anthem “Same Love” at the 2014 Grammys.

The betrothed couples were required to sign a confidentiality agreement tighter than Joan Rivers and Lil Kim’s faces and were unable to divulge any details to or invite family and friends.   Two of the 34 couples purported to tie the knot during the Grammy® wedding included DJ Ryan Lewis’ sister Laura and her boyfriend Alex along with two of Queen Latifah’s close friends.  The featured couples may remind one of Prince’s classic “Uptown” with “Black, White, Puerto Rican everybody just-a freakin” with a mixture of “gay, straight, old, young and beyond.

According to NARAS President Neil Portnow, the mass wedding wasn’t a simple publicity stunt and there is no need to “stoop to the level of trying to find gimmicks and sensationalistic approaches.” (What would you call it?) Queen Latifah is quoted as saying”gay marriage is where the future is going and we need to be there.” While many speculated that “Queen” may use the occasion to come out to the world, at the end of the day her private life is her business. She’s no less of an icon in the eyes of millions world-wide.

The event speaks to a reality of the current doctrine for the all-inclusive principles of love and acceptance quietly capturing the nation.  While the energy in the building appeared to have brought the 14,000 plus attendees to their feet, the jury is still out on the alleged wedding of the year, as well as Madonna’s “pimpin’ white chocolate” attire and thanks to Pharrell Williams, the sales of park ranger hats and rolled up cigarette pants.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis exited stage left at the Staples Center with 4 Grammys® and enough buzz to take them to the bank with the proceeds of yet another “heist.”