Common and John Legend’s powerful anthem for Selma won a Critics’ Choice Award on Thursday, January 15, the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s would’ve turned 86 years old.
“Today is Dr. King’s birthday so I want to receive this award in his honor,” Common said when he took the stage to receive the award for “Glory.”
During his acceptance speech, Common recalled how Selma director, Ava DuVernay, instructed him to write a song for the movie that would be “bigger,” similar in scope to ‘We Are the World.’ Common went on to thank DuVernay for presenting him and John Legend with that challenge.
“We knew the spirit and intention of Selma and what Dr. King is about, that’s love and that’s justice and that’s freedom for all people.” Common said. “So we created ‘Glory’ in that spirit, and I thank you, Ava, for motivating us to get to that place.”
Legend and Common were awarded this recognition on the same day as receiving an Oscar nod and just a few days after winning a Golden Globe. Selma itself also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Congratulations, Common and John Legend, for your iconic win!