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Jay-Z issued a different type of public service announcement on the Grammy awards stage Sunday night, criticizing the Recording Academy for its decision-making over the years, especially when it comes to Beyoncé and the album of the year category.
The 54-year-old rapper was accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, established last year, on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. In a wide-ranging speech, Jay-Z recalled Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff boycotting the awards show in 1988 and his own boycott after being nominated for best rap album in 1998.
“DMX had released two albums that year, they both went to number one (shout out to DMX) and he wasn’t nominated at all. So I boycotted and watched the Grammys. I’m just saying, we want all of you to do well,” he said.
Jay-Z’s criticism of music’s biggest night didn’t end there. The 24-time Grammy winner turned his attention to his wife, R&B superstar Beyoncé.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young woman, but she has more Grammys than anyone and she’s never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work,” Jay-Z said as the cameras cut to Beyonce standing among the public. Her win for best dance/electronic album for “Renaissance” at last year’s ceremony brought her win total to 32. most of all time.
But “Renaissance” lost the album of the year award to Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House.” His previous solo album, “Lemonade,” lost to Adele’s “25” in 2017.
“I can’t accept this award. I feel very honored, very grateful and kind, but the artist of my life is Beyoncé,” Adele said, visibly moved, while holding the trophy. “The Lemonade album was so monumental, so well thought out, so beautiful and moving… and all the artists here, we adore you.”
Jay-Z ended his speech by encouraging viewers to keep showing up, both at awards shows and in life.
“You have to keep showing up. Until they give you all those praises you think you deserve. Until they call you president. Until they call you a genius. Until they call you the greatest of all time,” he concluded while raising his trophy with a smile. “Do you feel Me?”