Common and John Legend are already winners during this year's award ceremony circuit, having taken home the Golden Globe for their Selma song "Glory," but they're not yet done vying for the awards. Tonight (Feb. 22), the duo is nominated for Best Original Song at the 2015 Oscars, and they were on hand to bring the powerful track to millions of viewers at home.
Legend opened up the performance on the piano, wearing a crisp black suit, backed by a projection of the streets of Selma. Soon, a gospel choir flooded the stage, marching along the sidelines, before Common appeared on stage, rapping with purpose as he sent out his message about equal rights for African-Americans in the United States.
In a year where the Oscars were heavily criticized for being overly white, it was a strong, powerful message to the Academy and the millions of viewers at home, executed with poignant purpose.
And it was all capped off with a standing ovation in the audience and tears from many of the stars in attendance.
Watch Common and John Legend perform "Glory" at the 2015 Oscars below:
"Glory" won for Best Original Song at the 2015 Oscars, nominated against "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" from Beyond the Lights, "Everything Is Awesome" from The LEGO Movie, "Lost Stars" from Begin Again and "Grateful" from Beyond the Lights.
Common and John Legend were just one of several acts on hand to perform music at the 2015 Oscars, joining The Lonely Island, Maroon 5 and Adam Levine, Rita Ora, Tim McGraw, Jennifer Hudson and Lady Gaga.
