'Jay Z's Grammy speech was awkward reminder of Kanye hijacking Taylor speech'

05 February 2024 , 21:36

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Jay Z's Grammy speech had reminders of Kanye's previous rant

When Kanye walked the red carpet swigging Jack Daniels with Amber Rose on his arm, I knew then it could only spell trouble.

Hours later he would storm the stage and create one of the most notorious moments in awards show history. Kanye hijacked Taylor Swift's award at the MTV VMAs, claiming the gong should have gone to Beyonce, in his now iconic 'Imma let you finish' speech.

Few moments at these rather long award ceremonies have managed to break the internet, except for Kanye in 2009, then Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022. And as Jay-Z, 54, delivered a slap in the face to the industry for snubbing his superstar wife at the Grammys, it firmly putting him up there for executing one of the most awkward moments to be played out at a ceremony.

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Jay Z's speech at the Grammys has led to mixed reactions (CBS via Getty Images)

The look on Beyonce's face said it all. It drew comparisons to her shock and look of dread when Kanye said: "I'mma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time." As the camera panned to Beyonce mouthing, "Oh, Kanye..." Jay's words brought back memories of Kanye's shocking moment at the VMAs.

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Queue carnage backstage over a decade ago where I was among the reporters first to receive a frazzled looking Taylor Swift when she stumbled off the stage after Kanye had just wrecked her moment. Even she did not know what was going on. Taylor told me afterwards: "And then I was really excited because Kanye was on stage..." but that feeling disappeared faster than Kanye snatching her microphone to deliver the blow.

Kanye West's rude interruption stunned onlookers in 2009 (Getty Images)

Fast forward to last night as Jay Z took to the Grammy's stage to accept one of the biggest awards of the night, the music mogul appeared to echo his former protégé Kanye as he leaped to Beyonce's defence. Jay was honoured with the Global Impact Award and used his acceptance speech to say his record-breaking Renaissance superstar wife deserved more awards.

He said of his young lady: "Think about that. Most Grammys, never won album of the year . Some of you gonna go home tonight and feel like you've been robbed, some of you may get robbed. Some of you don't belong in the category ... Now, when I get nervous I tell the truth."

His speech has divided fans, with many saying Jay was just being chivalrous and came from a good place with his outburst, as he sweetly clutched his daughter Blue's hand on stage as he wrapped up.

Though judging from the look on his wife's face, The 99 Problems singer just might have had one more when he got back to the crib last night.

Sarah Tetteh