Skip to main content
GRAMMYs Breaking News
Breaking News
  • MusiCares Launches Help for the Holidays Campaign Apply HERE
  • Recording Academy
  • GRAMMYs
  • Membership
  • Advocacy
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
  • Advocacy
  • Membership
  • GRAMMYs
  • Governance
  • Jobs
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Login
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
  • More
    • MusiCares
    • GRAMMY Museum
    • Latin GRAMMYs

The GRAMMYs

  • Awards
  • News
  • Videos
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs

MusiCares

  • About
  • Get Help
  • Give
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Person of the Year
  • More
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Person of the Year

Advocacy

  • About
  • News
  • Issues & Policy
  • Act
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Issues & Policy
    • Act
    • Recording Academy

Membership

  • Join
  • Events
  • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
  • GRAMMY U
  • GOVERNANCE
  • More
    • Join
    • Events
    • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
    • GRAMMY U
    • GOVERNANCE
Log In Join
  • SUBSCRIBE

  • Search
Modal Open
Subscribe Now

Subscribe to Newsletters

Be the first to find out about GRAMMY nominees, winners, important news, and events. Privacy Policy
GRAMMY Museum
Membership

Join us on Social

  • Recording Academy
    • The Recording Academy: Facebook
    • The Recording Academy: Twitter
    • The Recording Academy: Instagram
    • The Recording Academy: YouTube
  • GRAMMYs
    • GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • Latin GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • GRAMMY Museum: Facebook
    • GRAMMY Museum: Twitter
    • GRAMMY Museum: Instagram
    • GRAMMY Museum: YouTube
  • MusiCares
    • MusiCares: Facebook
    • MusiCares: Twitter
    • MusiCares: Instagram
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy: Facebook
    • Advocacy: Twitter
  • Membership
    • Membership: Facebook
    • Membership: Twitter
    • Membership: Instagram
    • Membership: Youtube
GRAMMYs
News
Watch Will Smith Win Best Rap Solo Performance watch-will-smiths-powerful-grammy-acceptance-speech-1998-grammy-rewind

Watch Will Smith's Powerful GRAMMY Acceptance Speech From 1998 | GRAMMY Rewind

Facebook Twitter Email
"We want to dedicate this GRAMMY to the memory of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G," the 'Men In Black' star said at the time
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Oct 18, 2019 - 11:18 am

Here come the Men In Black!

At the 40th GRAMMY Awards in 1998, Will Smith won Best Rap Solo Performance for his title track to the hit comedy Men In Black. In the latest edition of GRAMMY Rewind, the Fresh Prince himself walked up to the podium with his frequent musical collaborator D.J. Jazzy Jeff and gave a poignant speech.

Will Smith Wins Best Rap Solo Performance In 1998

"Hey! This is actually the first time that I've ever been on a GRAMMY stage!" he exclaimed before recounting his at times fraught experience with the Academy: "In 1988, [Jazzy] Jeff and I won the first GRAMMY ever given to a rap artist. But the GRAMMYs weren't televising the rap portion, so we boycotted. In 1991, we won our second GRAMMY, I ain't think we was gonna win, so we didn't come. And now this year we won, so if you guys'll bear with me, I wanna give my speech from '88 and '91.

Smith continued, dedicating his golden gramaphone to his hip-hop heroes: "I'm really excited about winning this for one reason, because, about two-and-a half years ago, the state of rap music was such that I didn't really even want to rap anymore. I like to refer to it as "the rap dark ages." And then with people like Tupac and Biggie, who I consider prophets, with the loss of Tupac and Biggie [Smalls], that kind of shook the industry and people realized that even though we are artists, we do have a responsibility for the ears—and for what goes into the impressionable ears that are listening to the music that we make. So Jeff and I, we want to dedicate this GRAMMY to the memory of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G."

Watch Smith's entire '98 speech above, and look out for more GRAMMY Rewind throwback videos in the weeks to come.

GRAMMY Rewind Returns With History-Making Performances, Acceptance Speeches & More

Will Smith at the 1999 GRAMMYs

Will Smith at the 1999 GRAMMYs

News
Will Smith Dedicates His 1999 GRAMMY To Son grammy-rewind-watch-will-smith-dedicate-his-1999-best-rap-solo-performance-grammy-his

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Will Smith Dedicate His 1999 Best Rap Solo Performance GRAMMY To His Son

Facebook Twitter Email
In his acceptance speech, he offers thanks to his family and "the jiggiest wife in the world, Jada Pinkett Smith"
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 25, 2020 - 12:17 pm

Today, Sept. 25, we celebrate the birthday of the coolest dad—who else? Will Smith! For the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we revisit the Fresh Prince's 1999 GRAMMY win for Best Rap Solo Performance for "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It."

In the below video, watch rappers Missy Elliott—donning white leather—and Foxy Brown present the GRAMMY to a stoked Smith, who also opted for an all-leather look. In his acceptance speech, he offers thanks to his family and "the jiggiest wife in the world, Jada Pinkett Smith." He dedicates the award to his eldest son, Trey Smith, joking that Trey's teacher said he (then just six years old) could improve his rhyming skills.

Will Smith Wins Best Rap Solo Performance In 1999

Watch Another GRAMMY Rewind: Ludacris Dedicates Best Rap Album Win To His Dad At The 2007 GRAMMYs

The classic '90s track is from his 1997 debut studio album, Big Willie Style, which also features "Miami" and 1998 GRAMMY winner "Men In Black," from the film of the same name. The "Está Rico" rapper has won four GRAMMYs to date, earning his first back in 1989 GRAMMYs for "Parents Just Don't Understand," when he was 20 years old.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4X7GGdnAWB

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trey Smith (@treysmith0011)

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, J. Lo & Jada Pinkett Smith Open The 2019 GRAMMYs

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at 2014 GRAMMYs

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

News
Watch Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win Best New Artist grammy-rewind-watch-macklemore-ryan-lewis-win-best-new-artist-2014

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win Best New Artist In 2014

Facebook Twitter Email
"I want to thank our fans, the people that got us on this stage…without them, there would be no us," Macklemore said
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jan 8, 2021 - 11:21 am

Seattle rap act Macklemore and Ryan Lewis win Best New Artist at the 56th GRAMMY Awards in 2014 on the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind.

The duo looked fresh as they accepted their award from presenters Pharrell and Anna Kendrick. Macklemore rocked an emerald green velvet tux and black velvet bowtie while Lewis wore a silver and black houndstooth suit with a silk black tie.

Video: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win Best New Artist

Related: MusiCares Honors Macklemore At The 2019 Concert for Recovery

"Wow, we're here on this stage right now," Macklemore said, grinning. "First and foremost, I want to thank our fans, the people that got us on this stage…without them, there would be no us." 

Following the momentum of their massive 2012 single "Thrift Shop" featuring Wanz, the Seattle rapper was nominated for a total of seven awards that year. He took home four wins, including Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for the aforementioned hit.

Fellow contenders were James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, Kacey Musgraves, and Ed Sheeran; All are now GRAMMY winners. 

Learn more about the current 2021 Best New Artist nominees here.

"Equality Is More Than Just A Word": Michael "Wanz" Wansley On How The Music Industry Can Effect Real Change

Grammys Newsletter

Subscribe Now

GRAMMYs Newsletter

Be the first to find out about winners, nominees, and more from Music's Biggest Night.
JAY-Z & Rihanna at the 2008 GRAMMYs

(L-R): JAY-Z & Rihanna at the 2008 GRAMMYs

 
News
GRAMMY Rewind: Rihanna & JAY-Z Win For "Umbrella" rihanna-jay-z-umbrella-best-rap-sung-collaboration-grammy-rewind

GRAMMY Rewind: Witness Rihanna Accept Her First-Ever GRAMMY Win With JAY-Z For "Umbrella"

Facebook Twitter Email
Watch a clip of their full acceptance speech in which both RiRi and Hova look fresh in a tux and blue ballet-inspired frock, respectively
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 4, 2020 - 2:54 pm

For the latest edition of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit the moment when an almost-20-year-old Rihanna took home her very first golden gramophone at the 50th GRAMMY Awards in 2008. She, along with collaborator and fellow superstar JAY-Z, won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for their massive No. 1 hit "Umbrella," from RiRi's 2007 album, Good Girl Gone Bad.

Watch their full acceptance speech below in which the stunning duo has a hilarious back-and-forth with the mic. Taylor Swift—both women were first-time nominees at the time—and Juanes present the award.

Rihanna & JAY-Z Win For "Umbrella" | GRAMMY Rewind

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Mariah Carey Shine As She Wins Best New Artist At The 1991 GRAMMYs

"Umbrella," RiRi's second No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot 100, was also nominated for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year that night. She also made her debut on the GRAMMY stage that evening in fittingly epic fashion, performing her winning song with iconic funk band, The Time.

Together Rihanna + Jay-Z Donate $2M To COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Grammys Newsletter

Subscribe Now

GRAMMYs Newsletter

Be the first to find out about winners, nominees, and more from Music's Biggest Night.
Ludacris at 2007 GRAMMYs

Ludacris at 2007 GRAMMYs

News
Ludacris Wins Best Rap Album At 2007 GRAMMYs grammy-rewind-ludacris-dedicates-best-rap-album-win-his-dad-2007-grammys

GRAMMY Rewind: Ludacris Dedicates Best Rap Album Win To His Dad At The 2007 GRAMMYs

Facebook Twitter Email
The GRAMMY-winning album's hit single, "Money Maker" featuring Pharrell Williams, would also win Best Rap Song that evening
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 11, 2020 - 12:17 pm

For the latest GRAMMY Rewind, we celebrate Atlanta rap giant Ludacris' 43rd birthday today, Sept. 11, and revisit his Best Rap Album win at the 2007 GRAMMYs. He won the award for his fifth studio album, Release Therapy, which dropped in September 2006 on Disturbing tha Peace/Def Jam. Its hit single, "Money Maker" featuring Pharrell Williams, would also win Best Rap Song that evening.

Ludacris Dedicates Best Rap Album Win To His Dad

Looking Back On Classic Songs Blessed By Jermaine Dupri

In his acceptance speech, which you can watch above, Luda looks fresh in a dark grey three-piece suit and rolls off an epic number of thank yous, dedicating the golden gramophone to his father, Wayne Bridges, who would sadly die later that month.

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Beyoncé Take Home Best Pop Female Vocal Performance At The 2010 GRAMMYs

Top
Logo
  • Recording Academy
    • About
    • Governance
    • Press Room
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Store
    • FAQ
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Cultural Foundation
    • Members
    • Press
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • COLLECTION:live
    • Explore
    • Exhibits
    • Education
    • Support
    • Programs
    • Donate
  • MusiCares
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
  • Advocacy
    • About
    • News
    • Learn
    • Act
  • Membership
    • Chapters
    • Producers & Engineers Wing
    • GRAMMY U
    • Join
Logo

© 2021 - Recording Academy. All rights reserved.

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Contact Us

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.