James Corden Channels ‘Hamilton’ In Grammys 2017 Opening, After Adele’s ‘Hello’

The 2017 Grammys began not with host James Corden, but with a powerful performance of “Hello” by Adele, who is up for several top awards this year.

James Corden Starts 2017 Grammys With Hamilton-style Number

Then, Corden, the British host of CBS’s own Late Late Show, kicked off his Grammys hosting big with a bang: a fantastic dance number gone hilariously wrong, filled with trips, falls and missing shoes.

“This is a disaster!” he exclaimed as he stopped the dance number. “We have rehearsed this! We cannot allow these sort of mistakes… this is the Grammys, people!”

Immediately afterwards, however, a Hamilton-esque rap ensued, during which Corden seemed to struggle to get all the words out.

“You realize your fate was destined for Grammys, no time for mistakes/ I came in real late, this was my big break/ It’s just the first segment, it can still be great,” was one of the many lines Corden belted out.

He also made some jokes about the artists in the room, including some people who have been romantically linked: “Rihanna and Drake, they each can win eight/ They sound good together, I think they should date.”

Finally, the British host couldn’t help but take a jab at the controversial Trump administration: “Live it all up because this is the best/ With President Trump, who knows what comes next.”

Corden’s final message called for unity regardless of race, gender, or other demographic, in keeping with the highly politicized times:

“We sit here tonight no matter our race, where we were born or color or face,” rapped Corden. “We’re using this art, remembered forever/ And we can survive just by sticking together.”