Clipse Become First Rappers to Perform at the Vatican
Pusha T and Malice continue leaving their mark, with John Legend joining them at the Vatican to perform "Birds Don't Sing."
Clipse and John Legend perform on stage during the "Grace for the World" concert, on September 13, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis
Two months after dropping their acclaimed latest album, Let God Sort Em Out, Clipse continue their winning streak. On Saturday, the duo became the first rap act to ever perform at the Vatican.
Taking the St. Peter's Square stage for the Pharrell Williams co-directed Grace for the World concert, the two performed the album opener, “Birds Don’t Sing.” With John Legend at their side to sing the hook, the song’s regal combination of grace and spiritual power rang through in 5k.
While stadium status soundscapes make it easy to imagine multiple Let God Sort Em Out offerings being performed in a venue like the Vatican, “Birds Don’t Sing” was more than an appropriate choice. For the track, Pusha T and his brother Malice reflect on the last conversations they had with their parents before they died months apart from each other. With piano keys fit for a glorious funeral procession, galloping percussion, and Clipse verses that are as crisp as they are heartfelt, it felt like a moment for something grand. And it was.
The performance is just the latest chapter in a winning album promo campaign. Since their album dropped, Clipse has been everywhere from the ESPYS to NPR’s Tiny Desk. The LP sold 118,000 equivalent album units in its first week of release, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Check out the performance for yourself below.
