Alicia Keys declares ‘DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift’ in Grammys acceptance speech

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At the 67th Grammy Awards on Sunday, Alicia Keys applauded groundbreaking female music producers, her musical peers, and the strength of diversity during her acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

At the Grammys Premiere Ceremony earlier in the day, Keys, victorious with her musical theater album “Hell’s Kitchen,” was honored with the Impact Award, which was bestowed upon her by Queen Latifah. She was characterized as a global powerhouse during this presentation.

Keys emphasized in her acceptance speech that now isn’t the moment for silencing varied perspectives. She pointed out that on this very stage, we’ve witnessed gifted, dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds with differing viewpoints, and this diversity revolutionizes the game.

“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” she added.

During the broadcast on Sunday, Keys’ comments were some of the direct criticisms aimed at the current political situation expressed by various musicians. Earlier in the ceremony, Lady Gaga (who was awarded Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Bruno Mars) used her acceptance speech to express support for transgender individuals by stating “trans people deserve love” and acknowledging the importance of uplifting the LGBTQ+ community. Shakira, who won the award for Latin Pop Album, dedicated her victory to all immigrants in the country during her acceptance speech.

In her political statements, Chappell Roan, a Grammy-winning artist known for speaking openly about growing up queer in the Midwest, urged record labels to recognize their artists as essential workers, providing them fair wages, healthcare benefits, and necessary protections.

Key’s enthusiastic embrace of variety is particularly significant now, given the escalating attempts to undermine or restrict efforts aimed at fostering diversity, equality, and inclusivity (DEI).

In her address, Keys expressed, “The greater the number of voices, the stronger the sound.” She further added, “Even when malevolent forces attempt to reduce us to embers, we rise anew, symbolizing the phoenix. Tonight, you can witness for yourself that music serves as the indomitable tongue that unites us universally.

Continue demonstrating kindness and understanding, which I refer to as nurturing one’s soul. Keep pushing boundaries, envision a world that aligns with its ideal potential. Visualize a world as it should be, in the words of Toni Morrison.

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2025-02-03 09:01