The Jay-Z
«This is high level, not eye level» from Jay-Z - Upgrade U
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Personal >> Attitude to Grammy RewardsAttitude to Grammy Rewards
It should be said that in spite of being a Grammy nominee and victories, Jay-Z avoided the ceremony beginning from 1999. He stated that the proper respect is not paid to hip hop there. To be more particular, he was offended because the incredible album of DMX was underestimated. Rappers always treated Grammy with some disrespect. The same thing did Eminem too later though he was nominated for Grammy many times. This boycott was covered in mass media. Rap artists are offended too because when ten years ago Grammy was shown on TV the category of rappers was cut out not shown.
Grammy representatives do not admit it but they treat rap as if it is not an art genre and this surely influences the attitude. Not all rappers though shared the view that boycott was necessary. Nas, for example, went to Grammy because he wanted to have a look at it in 1998. P.Diddy also expressed the opinion of this kind. Diddy said that Jay-Z needed to show up, that his position and his view was noticed already, that administration of Grammy felt it. But there is no necessity to continue the confrontation. It made no sense.
After all it is up to rappers that this genre is portrayed in the proper light. But all these statements did not convince Jay-Z, but at least he was ready to watch the televised version of the performance.