Swizz Beatz Reflects On Grammy Honor: "That 200$ Trophy Don't Define Who We Are"

BY Erika Marie 2.8K Views
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Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Grammys
The famed produced is grateful for the recognition, but he encouraged others not to get caught up with being defined by award shows.

The Grammy Award commentary continues to trickle in. The 2021 nominations caused the Recording Academy to face backlash, and while the initial storm of criticisms has subsided, Swizz Beatz offers his view on the importance of award ceremonies within the culture. The megaproducer and artist has been nominated for five awards throughout his career and won in 2011 alongside Jay-Z for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their hit "On to the Next One." In 2018, both Swizz and his wife Alicia Keys were honored by the Producers & Engineers Wing and received Grammy trophies for their contributions to music. Swizz recently reflected on the latter accomplishment by sharing footage of himself drinking from his Grammy two years ago.

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"This award was so big for us at 1 time," Swizz wrote in the caption. "We now know our value plus excellence [shrug emoji] We now understand that a 200$ trophy don’t define who we are [hands up emoji] Keep going hard and understand your true value and hard work!!!! We won when we made it out them streets !!!!! Blessings to all."

Alicia Keys jumped in her husband's comments and wrote, "Big Facts." Check out Swizz's post below with background music courtesy of Kanye West.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.