Amid a historic night at the 2025 GRAMMYs, Alicia Keys added to the remarkable feats when she accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award — becoming the first woman to receive the special honor. 

After a loving introduction by presenter Queen Latifah, the “If I Ain’t Got You” singer delivered a powerful acceptance speech. “I always had to fight for a certain level of respect as a songwriter, a composer, and especially, a producer,” Keys began.  

“It’s strange that we don’t think of women as producers like Quincy [Jones] or [Dr.] Dre or Swizzy, but female producers have always powered the industry,” she continued before citing examples in Patrice Rushen, Missy Elliott, Linda Perry, Grimes, and Solange Knowles. “We stand together, so it’s a beautiful feeling to be acknowledged for the thing I always thought people didn’t really recognize about me.” 

After dedicating her Global Impact Award to “all the ladies that know the magic that they bring to the room,” the She Is The Music founder then turned her speech into a rallying cry for unity amid the current federal administration’s efforts to dismantle and demonize diversity, equity and inclusion efforts 

“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,” Keys said. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift — and the more voices, the more powerful the sound. 

“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 — it’s so beautiful,” she added in conclusion. “So let’s keep showing up with compassion, with empathy, what I call ‘soul care.’ Keep opening the doors. ‘Dream the world as it ought to be,’ as the great Toni Morrison said. So thank you for this massive award, this massive honor.” 

Keys earned her first five GRAMMYs more than two decades ago thanks to her 2001 breakout album, Songs in A Minor. She became the biggest winner of the evening at the 2002 GRAMMYs, taking home the golden gramophones for Best New Artist and Best R&B Album, as well as Song Of The Year, Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her debut single, “Fallin.'” 

Since then, she’s added 11 more GRAMMYs to her collection in Categories ranging from Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (both for 2009’s “Empire State of Mind” with Jay-Z) to Best Immersive Audio Album (for the 20th anniversary edition of her 2003 sophomore album The Diary of Alicia Keys). 

Ahead of the telecast, Keys also scored her 17th career win — and added a new Category to her long GRAMMY resume — when the original cast recording of her 2024 Tony-winning Broadway musical “Hell’s Kitchen” took home the trophy for Best Musical Theater Album. 

The Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was first given out at the 2023 GRAMMYs ceremony, honoring its namesake for his visionary contributions to popular music and culture throughout his decades long career. Last year, Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” collaborator Jay-Z was honored with the special award with his daughter (and fellow GRAMMY winner) Blue Ivy Carter by his side. 

 

SOURCE: grammy.com 

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