JAY-Z has once again called out the Grammys, and this time it’s for snubbing 4:44 in 2018.
During a rare interview with TIDAL, Hov criticized the Recording Academy for overlooking his 13th album in its respective categories that year. According to the Roc Nation boss, 4:44 was truly a moment for Hip Hop as it proved the culture isn’t just a young man’s game.
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“In that moment, I was like, ‘They missed the opportunity,’ because people emulate success,” he said. “In that moment, that album, 4:44, was a moment for us to say, ‘Hip Hop is viewed as a young man’s sport. Now here is this album that could take us into the next sphere.’ I feel like they missed the moment.”
He continued: “I didn’t feel bad for myself, because I know it’s the Grammys: I probably won some joints I shouldn’t have won and I probably lost some joints I should’ve won. That’s the way it goes, so I actually had a party. I had a great time, staying out until 6 in the morning.”
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JAY-Z was nominated for eight awards at the 2018 Grammy Awards, the most of any artist that year. 4:44 was up for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, while its songs yielded nominations in the Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rap Song categories, among others.
After walking home empty handed, Hov vented his frustration by taking a shot at the Recording Academy on his 2018 “Apeshit” collaboration with Beyoncé. “Tell the Grammys fuck that 0 for 8 shit,” he rapped.
Elsewhere in his conversation with TIDAL, JAY-Z said the Grammys also “missed the moment” with his wife Beyoncé, who is now zero for four in the Album of the Year category. Her most recent loss came to Harry Styles at the 2023 Grammys over the weekend.
“Even with Bey, I felt like they missed the moment,” Hov lamented. “Not just Lemonade; [also] when Beck won over her [for Album of the Year at the 2015 show]. I was like, ‘Oh, y’all missed it.’
“For the culture, I love this shit so much I want them to get it right. I want to experience those moments when it’s the culmination of when Michael popped off. That moment left an indelible mark on us forever.
He added: “Or when Lauryn Hill came through and it was Miseducation and she won those joints [five Grammy Awards in 1999]. We knew that was her moment. We wanted to witness that moment and celebrate her. She made something that’s going to stand the test of time.”
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In total, JAY-Z has 24 Grammy wins from 88 nominations. He received three nods at this year’s ceremony thanks to his show-stealing four-minute verse on DJ Khaled’s “God Did.”
Despite leaving the Grammys empty handed yet again, he did close out the show by performing “God Did” alongside Khaled, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, John Legend and Fridayy.
