The rap mogul received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 66th Grammy Awards, but he did not mince words when it came to criticizing the music industry’s biggest night.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JAY-Z had a lot to say when he took the stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 4) to accept the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
The award, named after the legendary producer and entrepreneur, recognizes artists who have made a significant contribution to the global music culture and industry. JAY-Z, who has won 23 Grammys in his career, was honored for his achievements as a rapper, songwriter, producer, executive, philanthropist, and social activist.
However, the Brooklyn-born icon did not shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction with the Recording Academy, the organization that oversees the Grammy Awards. He specifically called out the Academy for repeatedly overlooking his wife Beyoncé in the Album of the Year category, despite her being one of the most acclaimed and influential artists of all time.
“Beyoncé has been making history for over two decades, and she is still the most nominated woman in Grammy history. But she has never won Album of the Year. Not for ‘Lemonade’, not for ‘Beyoncé’, not for ‘4’, not for ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’, not for ‘B’Day’, not for ‘Dangerously in Love’. How is that possible?” JAY-Z said, as the audience cheered and applauded.
He continued, “The Recording Academy has a history of disrespecting black artists and black music. They have a history of snubbing hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, and other genres that originated from black culture. They have a history of being out of touch, biased, and tone-deaf. And they need to change. They need to recognize and celebrate the true diversity and excellence of music. They need to do better. Because we deserve better.”
JAY-Z’s speech was met with a standing ovation from the crowd, which included many of his peers and collaborators, such as Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, and Nas. Beyoncé, who was seated next to him, smiled and kissed him on the cheek, as she showed her support and pride for her husband.
The Recording Academy has not yet responded to JAY-Z’s remarks, but they have faced backlash and criticism in the past for their lack of diversity and representation in the Grammy Awards. In 2020, former CEO Deborah Dugan filed a lawsuit against the Academy, alleging corruption, discrimination, and sexual harassment within the organization. She also claimed that the Grammy voting process was rigged and manipulated by a “secret committee” that favored certain artists and genres over others.
The 66th Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, featured performances by Adele, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, and more. The full list of winners can be found on the official Grammy website.
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