The Grammy Awards offered the best celebration of Black History Month. Black women in the music industry, who have consistently worked hard, received the recognition they deserved.
The ceremony was not simply a celebration of music. It was a tribute to Black women who have been overlooked and underappreciated in the industry. Some of music’s favorite Black queens took center stage, claiming every ounce of recognition and every single one of the accolades.
From first-time Grammy winners, including Tyla, Coco Jones and Victoria Monét to Jay-Z’s truthful speech about the issues with the Recording Academy, here’s a glimpse at the big wins that Black women in music experienced on Grammy night.
Tyla, Viral Sensation Turned Grammy Winner
South Africa’s Tyla became a viral sensation with her track “Water.” The song first entered at 37 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs. For several weeks, it climbed before debuting at 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This made Tyla the youngest South African and the first South African soloist in over 55 years to enter the Hot 100.
She proudly won the Grammy last night for Best African Music Performance. Her journey from a social media sensation to a Grammy-winning artist is simply a prelude of her star power.
Coco Jones, A Long-Awaited R&B Triumph
Coco Jones’ career began on Disney Channel in 2012. The 26-year-old actress and singer has remained strong, as she navigated the highs and lows of the industry. She was often overlooked because of the color of her skin. However, after a remarkable performance as Hilary Banks in “Bel-Air” and the release of her single “ICU,” Jones is finally receiving the recognition she deserves.
She won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance, cementing her place in the music industry as someone who is a multifaceted talent.
Victoria Monét, Overcoming Self-Doubt and Owning Her Success
At 34, Victoria Monét’s journey in the music industry has been a testament to perseverance and resilience. Initially known for her songwriting prowess, Monét faced self-doubt and questioned her worth. In a recent conversation with Variety, she expressed how she almost quit music several times.
Her self-doubt led her to sing demos in an attempt to showcase her talent. She believed she had “something to prove,” and that fueled her determination and contributed to her career. She is now a three-time Grammy winner, taking home the awards for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
Jay-Z, Speaking Truth to Power
In a moment that resonated with many, Jay-Z, who was the recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, addressed the long-standing issue of snubs at the Grammys. He highlighted the Grammy’s historical oversights and the continuous boycotts. Jay-Z’s speech even brought attention to snubs that his wife has had to face.
“[Beyoncé] has more Grammy’s than anyone and never won Album of the Year, so even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work.” he said. “Some of you are going to go home and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category.”
His speech was a powerful reminder that change is long overdue in the music industry, especially for Black women. The 2024 Grammy Awards may have been a turning point, where Black women can finally claim their place in the spotlight. These historic wins and Jay Z’s powerful words serve as a reminder that the narrative is changing, and the music industry needs to evolve with it.