Alicia Keys received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 67th Grammys on Sunday night (Feb. 2).
The award was established in 2023 to honor artists’ musical excellence, entrepreneurial achievements, philanthropic efforts, and global impact.
Following a beautiful introduction by Queen Latifah, Keys, donning a black silk Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda cady gown, a gold corset belt and headdress earrings, gracefully made her way to the stage to accept her award.
Keys began her acceptance speech by acknowledging Dr. Dre’s influence. “Big love to my brother Dr. Dre, who created a sound that began a movement. Your sound told me that if you’re a creative growing up in Compton or Hell’s Kitchen, you can touch the world.”
She then got candid about the obstacles she and other female producers face in the industry.
“I always had to fight for a certain level of respect as a songwriter, a composer and especially a producer. It’s strange that we don’t think of women as producers like Quincy [Jones] or Dre or [Swizz Beatz], but female producers have always powered the industry: Patrice Rushen, Missy Elliott, Linda Perry, Grimes, Solange, and so many more.”
Keys continued, “We stand together so it’s a beautiful thing to be acknowledged for the thing I always thought people didn’t really recognize about me. This is for all the ladies that know the magic that they bring to the room.”
Keys then spoke out against those actively dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in America following President Donald Trump’s executive order.
“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices. We’ve seen on this stage talented, hardworking people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game,” said Keys.
“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift. The more voices, the powerful the sounds. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a Phoenix and as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all.”
Earlier in the evening, Keys won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for Hell’s Kitchen, the musical inspired by her childhood in New York City. It marked her 17th Grammy win and her first in that category.
The album features cast recordings of new and reimagined songs by Keys that are performed in the coming-of-age stage play inspired by her upbringing in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
Watch Alicia Keys accept the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 67th Grammy Awards below.
