Photo: Drake
The 66th Annual Recording Academy Awards, or the Grammys, went down in Los Angeles earlier this morning. While the Academy honoured various artists amidst a historic ceremony which announced three new categories honoring African Music, Alternative Jazz and Pop Dance, its “Dr. Dre Global Impact” honoree and Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z expressed his dismay at the Grammys for never awarding Beyoncé an Album of The Year trophy despite her record-setting 32 wins.
Amidst his acceptance speech, Hov reminisced about how legendary emcee DMX was not recognized by the Grammys in the late 90s too.
“How far we have come with Will Smith, the Fresh Prince winning their first Grammy in ’89 and boycotting, because it was not televised,” he said. “And then they went to a hotel to watch 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 and 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. I’m just saying, we want you all to get it right. We love y’all, we love y’all. We want you to get it right — or at least get it close to right. And obviously, it’s subjective, because it’s music and its opinion-based, but some things…” Jay-Z said.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year. That doesn’t work,” Jigga further said.
Besides Jay-Z, Drake criticized and dissed the Grammys after he submitted his music for the Academy this year. The rapper, who was nominated for “Best Rap Album” for his collaborative effort “Her Loss” alongside British-American rapper 21 Savage but didn’t win, reminded “incredible artists” that the “Grammys is just a show” and not “facts”.
“All you incredible artists remember this show isn’t the facts it’s just the opinion of a group of people who’s name are kept a secret (literally you can Google it). Congrats to anybody winning anything for Hip-Hop but this doesn’t dictate shit in our world,” the “For All The Dogs” rapper said via Instagram.
Drake, who hasn't submitted music for Grammy recognition in the last few years but did so this year, speaks out on the awards show.
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 5, 2024
He tells his fellow artists that the Grammys "isn't the facts it's just the opinion of a group of people who's name are kept a secret." pic.twitter.com/cLFid66U4b
In other incidents at the Grammys, Run The Jewels affiliate Killer Mike, who won his first Grammy after 21 years for “Michael” LP, was arrested for his involvement in misdemeanour and “physical altercation” moments after his acceptance speech.
The marquee rapper and songwriter, known for his social activism and flagrant rap music against racial injustice and police brutality, was escorted out of the L.A. arena in handcuffs today.
Breaking: Rapper Killer Mike has been taken away in handcuffs in https://t.co/aF2yiyTHol arena after winning 3 #Grammys during telecast (Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” Best Rap Album for Michael) “Free Mike” someone shouts as he walks past. pic.twitter.com/4epfmzqMt8
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 5, 2024
Killer Mike is yet to comment on his arrest.
