Jay Z, the US rapper, has slammed the Grammy Awards for “never giving” Beyonce, his wife, ‘Album of the Year’ category — despite her impressive record of 32 wins.
The award ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater. It was broadcast live on GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.
The 54-year-old rapper won the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award which recognises personal and professional achievements in the music industry.
During his acceptance speech, the singer seized the spotlight to criticise the awards show for what he described as its snubs and inconsistencies in giving out honours to black artistes.
Jay-Z questioned why Beyonce, who has the most Grammy award wins, has never won in that category.
He also asked the Grammy organisers to think about it, adding that “that does not work”.
“I do not want to embarrass this young lady but she has more Grammys than anyone but has never won album of the year,” he said.
“So even by your own metrics, that does not work. Think about that, most Grammys, never won album of the year. That does not work.
“Some of you are going to go home tonight feeling like you have been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you do not belong in the category.”
Beyoncé has been nominated for 88 Grammy Awards, winning 33 of them.
She has been nominated six times for the ‘Album of the Year’ category but has never taken the coveted prize home.
Jay-Z's #Grammys speech pic.twitter.com/AWl6snvaPO
— JAY-Z Daily (@JAY_Z_Daily) February 5, 2024