- Jay-Z was honored with the Dr Dre Global Impact Award on Sunday evening for his contributions to the music industry
- The 54-year-old used his acceptance speech to bitterly note that his wife Beyonce had never won Album of the Year, despite 33 other wins
- “So even according to your own statistics, that doesn’t work,” he said. ‘Think about that. Most Grammys; never won Album of the Year. That does not work’
Jay-Z used his acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards to condemn the academy for not giving his wife Beyoncé the best album prize despite her 32 wins in other categories.
The Brooklyn-born rapper was honored with the Dr Dre Global Impact Award for his contributions to the music industry.
With his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy next to him on stage and wife Beyoncé watching from their table in the audience, Jay-Z spoke about the importance of dreams, drive and ambition.
He said there were more important things in life than winning Grammys, noting they were subjective – and pointing out that his superstar wife had never won best album.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and has never won Album of the Year,” Jay-Z said. ‘So even according to your own statistics that doesn’t work. Think about that. Most Grammys; never won Album of the Year. That does not work.’
Jay-Z delivers an impassioned rebuke of the Grammys for not giving his wife Beyoncé the best album award
Jay-Z, 54, is seen with his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy on stage at the Grammy Awards
The camera cut to Beyonce, who looked slightly worried at the audience.
Jay-Z has been nominated for 88 Grammy Awards, of which he has won 24. Six of his nominations were for Album of the Year.
Beyonce has also been nominated for 88 competitive Grammy Awards, winning 33 of them.
Like her husband, Beyoncé has been nominated six times for Album of the Year, but has never won.
