Has your favorite artist had a thing or two to say about the ever-so-elusive club that makes up the Grammys? We are willing to bet that they have.

On January 4, 2024, Jay-Z accepted Dr. Dre’s Global Impact Award at the Grammys with a poignant criticism of the misrepresentation of Black artists, specifically his wife Beyonce. In his own words, “She has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. Even by your own metrics that doesn’t work’.” We want to find out why.

This week we are adding some context to Jay-Z’s Grammy speech, and taking a deeper look into the tumultuous racial history of the Grammys.

You will learn:

• What did Jay-Z have to say about the Grammys? Why now?

• Who is behind the Grammys? - Who profits from the show? What is the Recording Academy?

• When did the Grammys start? - Why? What major changes have happened in its history?

Sections

00:00 - Welcome

01:50 - Jay Z’s Acceptance Speech

14:03 - Debrief

48:29 - Announcements

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Sources

[Britannica] The Grammys

[NPR] When Will Black Artists be Ready to Break Up With the Grammys?

[NPR] A Deeper Look at Representation Issues at the Grammys

[Wikipedia] Grammy Awards