The American Music Awards are all about the music, the glamour and the excitement of the event itself–but especially about the awards handed out during the event to top talent. Rappers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis felt the AMAs worked as a forum for a far more serious topic, too. Macklemore spoke out about racial profiling.

“Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids who are dying each year due to racial profiling and the violence that follows,” Macklemore said via satellite. “These are our friends, our neighbors, our peers, our fans, and it’s time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it.”

Florida became a focal point in the Trayvon Martin case after Martin’s killer–George Zimmerman–was freed under the state’s ‘stand your ground’ law. Twitter fans were impressed with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis bringing up racial profiling.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis took time to acknowledge Trayvon in his AMAs acceptance speech this is why I love them #sharkfacegang

— Jazz (@JazminnBenderr) November 25, 2013

Beyond impressed/inspired by @macklemore & @RyanLewis utilizing their acceptance speech to discuss discriminatory laws/Trayvon Martin case.

— Sara Jo سارة (@HelloSaraJo) November 25, 2013

Macklmore used his acceptance speech for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year to speak on racial profiling. Dope: http://t.co/mIEllxCNVu

— 2dopeboyz (@2DOPEposts) November 25, 2013

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis received more American Music Award nominees than any other artist this year. They got six nominations, including new artist of the year, artist of the year and single of the year for their hit song Thrift Shop. Their album, The Heist, has has been an unexpected, but huge, hit for the rappers. It includes the hit singles Thrift Shop, Can’t Hold Us and Same Love.

In Same Love, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis speak out yet again–this time via music and for same sex equality. Their song features lyrics about how, as a young child, people are often taught to hate, accept stereotypes and unfairly judge other people.

Do you think the American Music Awards are an appropriate forum for people like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to use for expressing opinions about social injustices? Surely his bringing up the Trayvon Martin case will stir some debate. Some people will no doubt applaud his words, while others will condemn them–possibly citing the venue as their biggest complaint.

Image via Facebook