JAY-Z MAKES PEACE WITH GRAMMYS AS HE IS HONORED AT CLIVE DAVIS PARTY

On the night before the Grammy awards, Jay-Z took the stage at a New York dinner attended by music industry titans to discuss his complex relationship with music’s highest honors, where the odds are historically stacked against hip-hop artists winning top accolades. Jay-Z, who was honored by the Recording Academy at veteran music producer Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party on Saturday, spoke about his decision to boycott the Grammy awards in 1998 when rapper DMX did not get any nominations despite having two hit albums out that year.

Jay-Z said he only returned to the awards show in 2004, when Beyonce, to whom he is now married, was nominated for her breakout solo album. “The Academy, they’re human like we are and they’re voting on things that they like, it’s subjective ... we care because we’re seeing the most incredible artists standing on that stage and we aspire to be there, so I was like, I have to be here,” the rapper said. “It’s our duty to make sure that not only are we making the greatest art, that we’re upholding and supporting things that are super real,” he added.

Jay-Z, 48, went into yesterday’s Grammy awards with a leading eight nominations for his emotional, soul-baring album “4:44,” in which he examine the infidelity that was so scathingly detailed by Beyonce in 2016’s “Lemonade,” as well as searing commentary on race in America. The rapper has won 21 Grammy awards over his career.

In 60 years of the Grammys, only two hip-hop albums have ever won album of the year; Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1999 and Outkast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” in 2004. Brooklyn native Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, made his breakout with 1996’s “Reasonable Doubt” and has become one of the bestselling US musicians and respected rap lyricists. He was honored on Saturday for not only reshaping rap over his career but also as an entrepreneur, including reshaping the music business with his streaming service Tidal. Singer Alicia Keys said JayZ’s music was “the soundtrack to my life” growing up and she sang a medley of his hits including “Hard Knock Life,” “Encore” and their New York anthem, “Empire

State of Mind.”

Rap group Migos performs on stage.

Gladys Knight, known as the “Empress of Soul”, performs on stage.

American actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr performs on stage.

American singer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, Alicia Keys performs.

American rapper and businessman, Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as JAY-Z, acknowledges his Industry Icon award during the traditional Clive Davis party on the eve of the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in New York. — AFP photos

Rapper Khalid performs during the traditional Clive Davis party.

Rapper Logic performs during the traditional Clive Davis party.

Singer and model Cassie Ventura.

Cuban-American singer and songwriter Camilla Cabello.

American broadcast journalist and television host Tamran Hall arrives for the traditional Clive Davis party.

Recording artists Beyonc and Jennifer Hudson attend the Clive Davis party.

American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson performs during the traditional Clive Davis party.

American hip hop recording artist and DJ, Grandmaster Flash.

Singer Pink arrives for the traditional Clive Davis party.

American rap mogul Sean Combs also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puff, Puffy and Sean John.

Albanian singer and actress Bleona.

American singer-songwriter, arranger, musician and producer with a career who has spanned more than 50 years, Barry Manilow, performs on stage.

Broadway singer Ben Platt performs on stage.

Singer John Legend (right) and Model Chrissy Teigen.

Puerto Rican Singer Luis Fonsi performs his song “Despacito”.

Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang.