The rap game wouldn't be as it is today without Jay-Z. Ask your favorite rapper and they'll tell you HOV had some sort of impact on their music. The Grammys are now about to also recognize Jay-Z for his influence in music and culture as a whole.
Jay-Z's resume in hip hop and his business acumen is undeniably flawless for the most part. The Grammy committee will honor his contributions in the music industry and pop culture at the 2018 Pre-Grammy Gala on Jan. 27th. The 4:44 rapper will be honored the day before the 60th annual Grammy ceremony at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. The President/CEO of the Recording Academy says that Jay's accomplishments and longevity in the music industry make him a perfect fit for the award.
"We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to honor JAY-Z with this year’s GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Award. His contributions as an industry trailblazer and music visionary only begin to touch on the tremendous impact he’s made both in entertainment and beyond," he said, “JAY-Z also embodies the vibrant spirit of New York City and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting honoree as we return to Manhattan for this year’s GRAMMY Awards."
The evening's co-host, Clive Davis, co-signs that sentiment. He's already been vocal about his love for Jay-Z, particularly the single "Empire State Of Mind," that later became a staple anthem for New York City.
"JAY-Z is a quintessential icon and I couldn’t be happier and more excited to share the evening with him,” he said. "What a night this will be!"
It's hard to name another rapper who's had the same amount of global impact as Jay-Z. His stature as an artist helped him expand his business portfolio as well. His resume includes his ownership at TIDAL, Roc Nation as well as its off branches in film and sports. He also founded the Made In America festival that just celebrated its sixth year in business. One of the most important parts about what Jay does is that he gives back to the community. He's used his entrepreneurial skills to launch the Shawn Carter Foundation which helps people facing socio-economic issues further their education.