Embedded Files
February 13, 2025
On Feb. 2, 2025, the 67th annual Grammy Awards took place in L.A. Many of the speeches this year addressed major social or political issues in America. All of the acceptance speeches delivered were heartfelt, sincere, and reflected the winner’s core values. However, three stood out as the most impactful and addressed the most important issues in the music industry and our world today.
Doechii (right) and her mother, Celesia Moore (left), on stage as Doechii delivers her acceptance speech with enthusiasm (Photo Credit: The Fader)
Doechii
Rapper and songwriter, Doechii, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album, and was the third woman in history to win the award, following Cardi B and Lauryn Hill. She addressed this almost immediately, bringing attention to the struggles of women to get the right attention in the music industry.
“I put my heart and soul into this mixtape. I bared my life, I went through so much - I dedicated myself to sobriety,” she said. Doechii continued her speech through tears of joy, thanking her fans, her label, her family, and her hometown: Tampa, Florida.
As she ended her speech, she made one final declaration to the world and the music industry. “I know that there is a Black girl out there - so many Black women out there - that are watching me right now, and I want to tell you: you can do it. Anything is possible,” she said.
“Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be, to be right where you are.”
Doechii called out racial and gender stereotypes and told Black women across the world to defy them. Her encouragement of Black women across the globe proved to be a strikingly compelling and important message, empowering those in the music industry to believe that they truly can accomplish anything despite systemic racism and sexism, and inspiring those in the music industry to advocate for equality.
Chappell Roan
Singer and songwriter Chappell Roan, winner of the Best New Artist award, did an impressive job conveying her thoughts regarding the music industry in her acceptance speech. “I told myself that if I ever won a Grammy and got to stand up here before the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists,” Roan said, starting off strong by addressing a major issue in the music industry.
Roan continued by sharing her story and her struggle, and demanded that labels protect their artists and pay them what they have earned and what they deserve. She ended her speech by saying something no one watching could forget, “Labels - we got you, but do you got us?”
By demanding that record labels treat their hardworking artists fairly, Roan caught the attention of millions of viewers and brought awareness to this increasingly important issue in the music industry. More importantly, she addressed this in front of “the most powerful people in music.”
By calling out labels in front of these exceptionally influential industry voices, Roan made sure that the music industry as a whole became aware of this issue. Roan has always been the type to advocate for what she believes and stand up for what is right, and she truly embodied that with her powerful acceptance speech.
Chappell Roan accepting her first ever Grammy award (Photo Credit: Billboard)
Alicia Keys delivers powerful acceptance speech acknowledging diversity in the music industry (Photo Credit: GRAMMYs)
Alicia Keys
In addition to her win for Best Musical Theatre Album, singer-songwriter and activist Alicia Keys received the Dr. Dre Global Impact award. Keys used the moment to speak about diversity in music, criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures.
“This is not the time to shut down a diversity of voices … DEI is not a threat - it’s a gift,” said Keys.
As an advocate for equality and diversity in America, Keys recognizes the importance of different cultures and perspectives, especially in music. “The more voices, the more powerful the sound … and as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all,” she said, finishing her speech with a powerful acknowledgment of diversity in the music industry.
The recognition of important social issues in our world today, especially in America, is incredibly important. It’s vital that we have people in positions of power who are able to advocate for diversity and inclusion, and who are able to use that power to influence and change society for the better.
The value that these celebrities’ voices hold for many is irreplaceable, and it is undeniable that many people truly feel heard and understood when celebrities who have gone through similar struggles and experiences stand up and voice their opinions to the world.
Sources: GRAMMY.com, Billboard, Variety
Report abuse