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Beyoncé’s Dad Matthew Knowles Speaks Out Over Grammy Snub

Beyoncé’s father, Matthew Knowles, feels that someone is to blame for the singer never winning an Album of the Year award at the Grammys. While speaking to TMZ, Knowles slammed Columbia…

Matthew Knowles in a leather jacket and Beyoncé in a black dress
MJ Kim/Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Beyoncé's father, Matthew Knowles, feels that someone is to blame for the singer never winning an Album of the Year award at the Grammys. While speaking to TMZ, Knowles slammed Columbia Records, Beyoncé's record label, for not making her a priority.

"When you have Adele and Beyoncé on the same record label, the record label can only support one of those artists," Knowles said.

Knowles incorrectly claimed that Beyoncé hadn't been nominated in that category as a fault of Columbia Records. Once corrected, he doubled down on his theory that it was still the push from the label and the Grammys’ voting process.

He noted that it's a "combination" of it all adding, "I’ve been 14 years in those rooms supporting the label. I know exactly how this work." Knowles previously managed Destiny's Child, and Beyoncé and Solange's solo careers for a period of time.

Knowles was referring to the Grammy Awards in 2017, when Beyonce's Lemonade was nominated, but lost to Adele's 25. Beyonce's I Am... Sasha Fierce was nominated in 2010, but lost to Taylor Swift's Fearless. Her self-titled album was nominated in 2015, but lost to Beck's Morning Phase. And in 2023, her Renaissance album was nominated, but lost to Harry Styles' Harry's House.

Jay-Z Blasts The Grammys For Snubbing Beyoncé

Beyoncé's father's defense comes after her husband Jay-Z took the stage Sunday (Feb. 4) as he accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and criticized the Grammys on the Renaissance creator's behalf.

"Obviously it’s subjective because, you know, it’s music and it’s opinion-based, but some things… I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year!"

He continued: "So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys, never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work."

"Some of you are gonna go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category. Nah, nah, nah. When I get nervous, I tell the truth!"

Beyoncé has been nominated for Album of the Year four times. She was first nominated in 2010 for I Am… Sasha Fierce, in 2015 for her self-titled, in 2017 for Lemonade and in 2023 for Renaissance. She currently holds the most Grammy wins of all time with 32 Grammys.

A Grammy is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in music. Or at least it used to be. Hip-hop, which has taken the main stage in coming years still does not get the same respect as other music formats. The Grammys have been called out by artists, more specifically Black artists, for not getting it right, or being relevant.

Jay-Z Slams The Grammys Over Beyoncé's Snubs

While the conversation surrounding how the Grammys treats Black artists is not new by any means, it was specifically called out by both Jay-Z and Drake this year. On Sunday night, Jay-Z took the stage for his acceptance of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. From the stage, he discussed his feelings the Grammys' biases. He brought to light the fact that his wife Beyoncé -- who holds the most Grammys of any artist with 32 -- has never won Album Of The Year.

"I don't want to embarrass this young lady. But she has more Grammys than anyone and has never won Album of the Year," Jay said. "So even by your own metrics, it doesn't work."

Drake Blasts The Grammys

Drake was not present at the award show, as he was on his It's All A Blur: Big As The What? Tour . He was up for four awards with 21 Savage for their joint project Her Loss. Although, it did not stop the rapper for sharing hie feelings about how he felt towards the Recording Academy.

"All you incredible artists remember this show isn't the facts it's just the opinion of a group of people who's name are kept a secret (literally you can google in)," he captioned a video of himself giving a speech at a previous Grammy Awards on his Instagram Story Sunday (Feb. 5). "Congrats to anybody winning anything for hip-hop but this show doesn't dictate s--- in our world."

For hip-hop this year, Killer Mike racked up three Grammys. The rapper won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for "Scientists and Engineers." The song featuring André 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane. He also won Best Rap Album for Michael. Lil Durk and J. Cole also took home a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "All My Life."

Take a look at seven rappers who have never won a Grammy below:

Snoop Dogg

GettyImages-1370931551.jpg(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Snoop Dogg is a rap legend, and having zero Grammys under his belt does not sit right with us. Snoop has been nominated 16 times for the award. He's gotten nominations for his hits such as "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang," "Gin And Juice," "Still D.R.E." and more. The California native admitted that his "Gin And Juice," loss was upsetting but Queen Latifah cheered him up. "She won and I was hurt, but she was like, ‘N----, I love ‘Gin and Juice.’ That’s my favorite s---.’ So then I got unhurt fast," he said in his audiobook <em>From The Streets To The Suites</em>.


Nicki Minaj

GettyImages-801525968.jpg(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for TNT )

There's no debate that what Nicki Minaj has done for female rap and hip-hop in general. she's an icon. However, the Queens native has never won a Grammy. Her hits such as "Moment 4 Life," "Bang Bang," and "Anaconda" have earned Grammy nominations. She has been nominated 12 times so far in her career most recently at the 2024 Grammys. She was nominated for Best Rap Song ("Barbie World") and Best Song Written For Visual Media ("Barbie World").


Tupac

MicrosoftTeams-image-1.jpg(Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images)

When you think of hip-hop greats, Tupac is at top of mind. He was killed at the age of 25, but his influence is still felt on the genre today. It's hard to believe that he never won a Grammy. He was nominated five times before his death in 1996 and was nominated for one posthumously. His last Grammy nomination was in 2000 for "Changes."


Notorious B.I.G.

Norotious-BIG-1-e1631195718873-2.jpgBad Boy/Rhino

Just like Tupac, Biggie is another hip-hop icon who has failed to earn a Grammy win. The New York native had one Grammy nomination before he was killed in 1997 and three posthumously in 1998. His hit such as "Big Poppa," "Hypnotize," and "Mo Money Mo Problems," have earned nominations but never a golden gramaphone. His last set of nominations was for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards including a Best Rap Album nod for <em>Life After Death</em>.


Travis Scott

GettyImages-1492428431.jpg(Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

Travis Scott has had three consecutive No. 1 albums but still has never had a Grammy win. Additionally, several career hits such as "Sicko Mode," and "Highest In The Room," have been nominated for Grammys. He was nominated for a Grammy 10 times in his career. His latest nomination was for Best Rap Album for <em>Utopia</em> at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Killer Mike's <em>Michael</em> ended up taking the trophy home.


Post Malone

GettyImages-1166315280.jpg(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Bud Light)

Post Malone has been in hip-hop since 2011 but came into the mainstream in 2015 with his debut single "White Iverson." The rapper has collaborated with Travis Scott, Quavo, 21 Savage, Doja Cat, and more. Despite having four No. 1's and 11 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, he has never won a Grammy. He has been nominated 10 times. His last nomination was in 2023 for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for his song "I Like You (A Happier Song)."


Rick Ross

GettyImages-1405309913.jpg(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

"Aston Martin Music" has no Grammy. Yup, let that sink in. Rick Ross has been nominated for a Grammy nine times and has no wins. He was first nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for his guest appearance on "I'm On One" with DJ Khaled, Drake, and Lil Wayne.  It was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. His last Grammy nomination was for DJ Khaled's "God Did" in 2023 which was nominated for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Song Of The Year.

Autumn Hawkins is the National Hip-Hop and R&B writer for Beasley Media, currently residing in New Jersey. Prior to working at Beasley Media, she was in broadcast news as an entertainment producer. When she's not impatiently waiting for Beyoncé to drop new music, she is reading, shopping, or planning a vacation.