As he accepted an innovator’s award named after him, Dr. Dre reflected on what he has in common with the many people he’s seen from the Grammy Awards stage.
“Where would a lot of people here be without hip-hop?” said the renowned rapper, producer and entrepreneur.
The 2023 Grammy Awards may finally be remembered as the year the music industry’s top event tried to embrace rap, with its leaders treating the institution with skepticism as its nearly 50-year history Which was celebrated on Sunday.
Only four years earlier, Song of the Year winner Childish Gambino had boycotted the show over alleged disrespect for rap. Kanye West and Eminem were among stars of the past whose groundbreaking work was overlooked for more modest fare and for years, rappers complained that their work was censored from TV.
The 15-minute Questlove-curated journey through time was a delight that brought dozens of stars to the stage including Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Ice T, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Method Man, Salt, and more. -N-Pepa…the list goes on and on, and yet they were the ones you wished were there.
Almost as important was the eight-minute version of DJ Khaled’s “God Did” that closed the show—Khalid took public notice of the length—which featured a mesmerizing appearance by Jay-Z.
Quavo’s tribute to Migos’ takeoff was arguably the highlight of a packed and memorable “In Memoriam” segment for artists who have died over the past year.
Kendrick Lamar performed “Mr.” followed by a fiery acceptance speech. Morale & the Big Steppers” won the Grammy for Best Rap Album, his third trophy in the category.
It was a night when it seemed like the Grammys finally acknowledged rap as a dominant form of music. Will Rappers Finally Accept The Grammys? It remains to be seen.