Jay-Z delivered a unique public service announcement on the Grammys stage on Sunday night, expressing his discontent with the Recording Academy's decision-making, particularly in relation to Beyoncé and the Album of the Year category.
While accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, established last year on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the 54-year-old rapper discussed the history of boycotts at the Grammys, referencing Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff boycotting in 1988 and his own boycott in 1998 after not winning Best Rap Album.
"DMX had dropped two albums that year, they both went number one — shout out to DMX — and he was not nominated at all. So I boycotted, and I watched the Grammys. I'm just saying, we want y'all to get it right," Jay-Z remarked.
The 24-time Grammy winner's critique extended to music's biggest night as he turned his attention to his wife, R&B superstar Beyoncé.
"I don't want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn't work," Jay-Z stated, with cameras panning to Beyoncé in the audience. Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins with 32, achieved after winning Best Dance/Electronic Album for "Renaissance" at last year's ceremony.
However, "Renaissance" lost Album of the Year to Harry Styles' "Harry's House." Beyoncé's previous solo album, "Lemonade," also missed out on Album of the Year to Adele's "25" in 2017.
Ending his speech, Jay-Z encouraged viewers to persistently show up, both at award shows and in life.
"You got to keep showing up. Until they give you all those accolades you think you deserve. Until they call you chairman. Until they call you a genius. Until they call you the greatest of all time," he concluded, raising his trophy with a smile. "You feel me?"
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