While accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during the 2024 Grammy Awards, Jay-Z went off on The Recording Academy.
Accompanied by his eldest daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, while Beyoncé stayed seated, the Roc Nation founder accepted the second Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. Midway through the speech, Jay-Z called out the Recording Academy for not giving Beyoncé a long-delayed Grammy Award for Album of the Year, despite her being the most-decorated artiste in Grammy history with 32 wins.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year,” Jay-Z said about his wife of nearly 16 years. “So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. Most Grammys, never won Album of the Year, that doesn’t work.”
At that moment, an audience member was heard saying “preach” in response to Jay’s comments. The camera then panned to Beyoncé, who looked unflinchingly at her husband while he kept it honest with the audience and telecast viewers.
Jay continued: “Some of you gonna go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category.”
“When I get nervous, I tell the truth,” Jay-Z admitted.
Beyoncé has been nominated for Album of the Year four times, with many believing that her seventh album, Renaissance, would take home the glory last year. The album lost to Harry Styles’ sophomore album, Harry’s House.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA РFEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Beyonc̩ and onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Jay began his acceptance speech praising Dr. Dre for his contributions to hip-hop. He also shouted out Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and the late DMX, recalling times when hip-hop boycotted the Grammys.
“How far we have come with Will Smith … The Fresh Prince winning their first Grammy in ’89 and boycotting because it wasn’t televised,” he said. “And then they went to like a hotel and watched the Grammys. I don’t even understand, it was not a great boycott. But then in ’98, I took a page out of their book. I was nominated for Best Rap Album. And DMX put out two, they were both number one, and he was not nominated at all, so I boycotted and I watched.”
Jay continued, “We want y’all to get it right. We love y’all, we love y’all… We want y’all to get it right. At least, get it close to right. And obviously, it’s subjective… because it’s music and it’s opinion-based.”
Despite Jay’s comments, none of the rap awards were televised this year. In fact, Killer Mike won three rap Grammys and was arrested right after.
After giving his speech, Jay was once again spotted drinking out of his Grammy.
Ahead of last year’s Grammys, Jay-Z explained to TIDAL was deserving of AOTY.
“Look what it’s done to the culture. Look how the energy of the world moved. They play her whole album in the club. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that,” he told the outlet. “The whole entire joint — like, everything?! Every remix is amazing. Everyone’s inspired. It has inspired the world. Every remix is better than the other one.”
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