In a moment that married two very different cultural worlds, Virginia Beach duo Clipse—Pusha T and No Malice—performed at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, Sept. 13, breaking barriers and marking a huge first.
The beloved musicians became the first rap/hip-hop act to take the stage at the Vatican. The performance, part of a star-studded event titled Grace for the World, was co-directed by Pharrell Williams and Maestro Andrea Bocelli and streamed live globally on Disney+, Hulu and ABC News Live.
On the live broadcast, Clipse, made up of brothers Gene and Terrence Thornton, delivered an orchestra-backed rendition of “The Birds Don’t Sing” from their most recent album, Let God Sort Em Out. They were joined onstage musically by John Legend and an ensemble—a moment widely reported as the first-ever occasion that a duo in the genre had performed within the Vatican’s spiritual and historical setting, per Complex.
Fans React to Clipse’s History-Making Performance at Grace for the World
Video footage showed Pusha T and No Malice in matching black suits, performing a set that leaned into the personal, reflective themes of their new project while framed by choral and orchestral arrangements. Social media responses ranged from astonishment to celebration, with many fans calling the moment historic for hip-hop’s cultural recognition on such a global spiritual stage.
“They’re having an incredible year,” one fan posted on X, while another surmised, “oh that grammy is coming home lmao.”
“Dam, brothers performing together at the Vatican in memory of their parents. It doesn’t get any bigger or better as men and as artists. This was a special moment we witnessed,” a third raved, with another echoing that sentiment: “Absolutely beautiful. This is exactly what we needed at a time like this. Well done to King Push, No Malice, and John Legend!”
Meanwhile, others applauded their latest drop, as two more chimed in with, “The Clipse are getting major returns on this album and it’s well deserved. It’s truly special” and “Nahhhh clipse got album of the year hands down.”
Clipse is famed for their incisive lyricism and for albums such as Lord Willin’ and Hell Hath No Fury. Though their inclusion in the Vatican lineup may have seemed unlikely at first, but it seems fitting due to their life stories, some of which they chronicle on their new album, addressing themes of sin, loss and transformation.
Grace for the World was presented as a free, public concert in St. Peter’s Square that closed the 2025 World Meeting on Human Fraternity and celebrated the 2025 Jubilee Year. The program intentionally blended gospel, classical, pop and contemporary styles; performers announced in advance included Williams (with the Voices of Fire Gospel Choir), Bocelli,Legend, Karol G, Jennifer Hudson, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, and Angélique Kidjo. The broadcast and production credits named Pharrell and Bocelli as co-directors and Adam Blackstone as musical director.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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