Jay-Z called out the Grammys for its voting habits during his 2024 Grammy Awards speech, defending his wife, Beyoncé, in the process when calling out her four Album of the Year snubs.
With Beyoncé watching in the audience and their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, on stage with him, Jay-Z accepted the second annual Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. He reflected on the progress Black artists have made in the industry over the decades in terms of accolades, as well as speaking on the boycotts some artists have staged in protest of the Grammys’ lack of inclusivity, like when Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff boycotted the award show after winning the first rap Grammy in 1989.
The duo refused to attend the ceremony when they learned the new Best Rap Performance category wouldn’t be televised. Jay-Z joked that he once boycotted the ceremony himself but still watched the show from home.
The rapper’s comments made it clear that he feels the awards do matter, as they’re recognition of artistic achievements. “We want y’all to get it right. We love y’all,” he said. “At least get it close to right. And obviously, it’s subjective because it’s music. And it’s opinion-based.”
Defending Beyoncé, he said that it doesn’t make sense that she holds the record for most Grammy wins in history, but none of them are top honors. Beyoncé broke the record for most Grammy wins in history (32) at the 2023 ceremony.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has the most Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year,” the artist said. “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.”
His next comments got even more reactions out of the crowd. “Some of you gonna go home and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category,” he quipped. “When I get nervous, I tell the truth,” he told the crowd.
JAY-Z’S FULL GRAMMY SPEECH WITH BLUE IVY: MUST WATCH❤️ pic.twitter.com/IeprKaM1jg
— (@beyoncegarden) February 5, 2024
“But outside of that, we got to keep showing up,” he went on. “Keep showing up until they give you all those accolades you feel you deserve. Until they call you Chairman. Until they call you genius. Until they call you the greatest of all time.”
See the fan reactions to Jay-Z’s 2024 Grammys speech below.
Jay-Z calls out the #Grammys for never giving Beyoncé the Album of the Year trophy, despite her record-setting 32 wins. pic.twitter.com/htakmJGEKH
— Variety (@Variety) February 5, 2024
Jay-Z at the #Grammys: “…[Beyoncé] has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year.
Some of you will feel like you were robbed. Some of you will get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category! Sorry … when I get nervous, I tell the truth!” pic.twitter.com/1suz8P8APR
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 5, 2024
Jay Z: “some of yall don’t even belong in a category”
He not lying tho #Grammys #GRAMMYs2024 pic.twitter.com/tWJl9Yewk9— Ace (@Ace_2o) February 5, 2024
The audible gasps people let out when Jay Z said “Some of you don’t even belong in a category” has finished me off he was out for blood tonight #Grammys pic.twitter.com/TZhbVHKYvZ
— April’s Finest (@april__finest) February 5, 2024
Beyoncé while Jay Z was on stage defending her: pic.twitter.com/2Ek7c2jyUi
— Mona Thorne ✨ (@YannaGod) February 5, 2024
jay z: “some of you don’t even belong in categories”
the academy: pic.twitter.com/nUms5sy0jy
— wiLL (@willfulchaos) February 5, 2024
After Jay Z told the audience to think about it pic.twitter.com/MUuYMYwPlQ
— Aaron (@dontaejj) February 5, 2024
jay z went up there to say ‘y’all ain’t no divas!!!’
— popculture (@notgwendalupe) February 5, 2024
Jay Z said PUT MY WIFE’S NAME, IN YOUR FUCKING ENVELOPE!!! pic.twitter.com/yepztuR6qs
— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) February 5, 2024
If you missed Jay Z speech, I recorded it here: pic.twitter.com/w18QsSifgF
— Jaquan (@JaquanTheLibra) February 5, 2024
Beyoncé told Blue to get on the stage and take it all in “cuz this the last Grammys we coming to. We got Grammys at home.”
— tré easton (@treeaston) February 5, 2024
This story originally appeared on TV Insider
