While he’ll have to wait till next year to see how his 2017 sophomore album fares with Grammy voters (The Thrill of It All was released after the Sept. 30 cutoff date) Sam Smith still made his presence known at this year’s show. Following a hearty introduction from countryman James Corden, Smith dove into a performance his stately ballad “Pray.”
Backed by gospel singers and small orchestra, Smith was firmly in his element, and his performance reflected that. The 25-year old Grammy veteran delivered the song’s tricker notes with relative ease, along with its gripping emotions. Smooth and sure, Smith owned the moment.
Check out a clip of the performance above.
Smith is a four-time Grammy winner — including the prize for best new artist — thanks to the success of his 2014 debut In the Lonely Hour. Time will tell if his sophomore album fares as well with Grammy voters as did his first.
