Jay-Z launches a fierce attack on the Grammys for NEVER giving his wife Beyoncé Album of the Year – despite a record 33 other wins – saying 'some nominees will be robbed tonight – and some should never have been nominated'

Jay-Z used his acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards to condemn the academy for not giving his wife Beyoncé the best album prize despite her 32 wins in other categories.

The Brooklyn-born rapper was honored with the Dr Dre Global Impact Award for his contributions to the music industry.

With his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy next to him on stage and wife Beyoncé watching from their table in the audience, Jay-Z spoke about the importance of dreams, drive and ambition.

He said there were more important things in life than winning Grammys, noting they were subjective – and pointing out that his superstar wife had never won best album.

“I don't want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and has never won Album of the Year,” Jay-Z said. 'So even according to your own statistics that doesn't work. Think about that. Most Grammys; never won Album of the Year. That does not work.'

Jay-Z, 54, is seen with his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy on stage at the Grammy Awards

The camera cut to Beyonce, who looked slightly worried at the audience.

Jay-Z has been nominated for 88 Grammy Awards, of which he has won 24. Six of his nominations were for Album of the Year.

Beyonce has also been nominated for 88 competitive Grammy Awards, winning 33 of them.

Like her husband, Beyoncé has been nominated six times for Album of the Year, but has never won.

In 2015, when Beyoncé lost album of the year to Beck, Kanye West pretended to storm the stage in protest.

The moment drew parallels to West's actions in 2009, when he famously interrupted Swift as she accepted the award for Best Female Video and told her, “Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you.” …but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.”

West pretended to storm the stage again in 2015, protesting that her album “Beyonce” lost out to Beck's “Morning Phase.”

Recording Academy voters choose who wins Album of the Year, and in 2015 the voter base was split between Pharrell, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. Beck's support was united, leading to Beck's victory.

West, a Jay-Z protégé, insisted in 2015 interviews that Beyoncé had been robbed.

“All I know is that if the Grammys want real artists to come back, they have to stop playing with us. We're not going to play with them anymore,” he said.

“Beck needs to respect his artistry and he should have given his award to Beyoncé, and at this point we are fed up.”

Jay-Z said Sunday that the prizes were subjective but fun to win.

Early in his speech, he joked that his Grammy Awards used to be used as drinking cups for Blue Ivy, but now “she has her own Grammys,” he said.

She won her first Grammy at age 9, with a writing credit for Brown Skin Girl, which won for her mother in 2021.

Jay-Z continued, “How far have we come from Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff winning their first Grammy in '89 and boycotting it because it wasn't televised.

“And then they went to the hotel and watched the Grammys. I didn't even understand it. It wasn't a great boycott.”

He said he did something similar then.

“But then, in '98, I took a page out of their book. I was nominated for best rap album and DMX had released two albums that year. They were both number one – shout out to DMX – and he wasn't nominated at all.

“So I boycotted and watched the Grammys.

“I'm just saying, we want you all to do well. We love you all. We love you all. We love you all. We want you all to do well. In any case, make sure it's as good as it gets.'