Diddy says 'black music has never been respected by the Grammys' and Beyoncé and Jay-Z lead standing ovation after 50-minute speech where rapper gave the awards show a one-year deadline to implement change
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs called out the Grammy Awards on Saturday for dissing rap and R&B stars in its major categories
- Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, earned the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award on Saturday night
- He dedicated the prize to classic albums that didn't win the top Grammy Award: Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, Prince's '1999, and Beyoncé's Lemonade
- At the end of his 50-minute speech Saturday night at Clive Davis' white-hot pre-Grammys gala, Diddy said to the Grammys 'every year y'all be killing us man'
- He said: 'Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys. Black music has never been respected by the Grammys to the point that it should be'
- Diddy said at the Beverly Hilton: 'That stops right now. 'I'm officially starting the clock - y´all got 365 days to get this (expletive) together'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs called out the Grammy Awards for dissing rap and R&B stars in its major categories in a blazing speech that earned him a standing ovation from Beyoncé, Jay-Z and several other music industry players.
At the end of his 50-minute speech Saturday night at Clive Davis' white-hot pre-Grammys gala, where Combs was honored, the music mogul demanded change and said he was happy to be involved in making a difference.
'So I say this with love to the Grammys, because you really need to know this, every year y'all be killing us man. Man, I'm talking about the pain. I'm speaking for all these artists here, the producers, the executives,' he said.
'The amount of time it takes to make these records, to pour your heart into it, and you just want an even playing field.'
![At the end of his 50-minute speech Saturday night at Clive Davis' white-hot pre-Grammys gala, Diddy said to the Grammys 'every year y'all be killing us man'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893610-7931173-image-a-19_1580053516168.jpg)
At the end of his 50-minute speech Saturday night at Clive Davis' white-hot pre-Grammys gala, Diddy said to the Grammys 'every year y'all be killing us man'
![The speech earned him a standing ovation from Beyoncé, Jay-Z and several other music industry players](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893616-7931173-image-a-18_1580053486956.jpg)
The speech earned him a standing ovation from Beyoncé, Jay-Z and several other music industry players
Over the years, the awards show has been criticized when top performing acts like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Eminem, Mariah Carey and others lose in major categories, including album of the year and best new artist. The rap and R&B stars often fall short of their pop, rock and country counterparts.
'In the great words of Erykah Badu, "We are artists and we are sensitive about our (expletive)." We are passionate. For most of us, this is all we got. This is our only hope,' Combs continued. 'Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys. Black music has never been respected by the Grammys to the point that it should be.'
Rap, particularly, has had a longstanding losing streak at the Grammys, which celebrates its 62nd show Sunday.
Only two rap-based albums - Lauryn Hill's 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' and Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' - have won album of the year.
Last year's Grammys marked the first time a hip-hop song was awarded song and record of the year when Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' achieved the feat.
And only four rap acts have been named best new artist, including Hill, Arrested Development, Chance the Rapper and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
![Sean Combs walks on stage to accept the 2020 Industry Icon award at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888896-1580042600-140_634x422.jpg)
Sean Combs walks on stage to accept the 2020 Industry Icon award at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday
![Diddy said at the Beverly Hilton: 'That stops right now. 'I´m officially starting the clock - y´all got 365 days to get this (expletive) together'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893758-7931173-image-a-41_1580055093547.jpg)
Diddy said at the Beverly Hilton: 'That stops right now. 'I´m officially starting the clock - y´all got 365 days to get this (expletive) together'
![Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, earned the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award on Saturday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893756-7931173-image-m-38_1580054969002.jpg)
![He dedicated the prize to classic albums that didn't win the top Grammy Award: Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall,' Prince's '1999,' Beyoncé's 'Lemonade,' Missy Elliott's 'Da Real World,' Snoop Dogg's 'Doggystyle,' Kanye West's 'Graduation' and Nas' 'Illmatic'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893764-7931173-image-a-39_1580054975212.jpg)
Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, earned the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award on Saturday night. He dedicated the prize to classic albums that didn't win the top Grammy Award: Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall,' Prince's '1999,' Beyoncé's 'Lemonade,' Missy Elliott's 'Da Real World,' Snoop Dogg's 'Doggystyle,' and Kanye West's 'Graduation'
![Diddy also dedicated his award to Nas' 'Illmatic'. Rapper Nas is pictured center](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893734-7931173-image-a-42_1580055269430.jpg)
Diddy also dedicated his award to Nas' 'Illmatic'. Rapper Nas is pictured center
![Beyonce joins a round of applause at the gathering of music stars on Saturday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893744-7931173-image-a-40_1580055044398.jpg)
Beyonce joins a round of applause at the gathering of music stars on Saturday night
![Over the years, the awards show has been criticized when top performing acts like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Eminem, Mariah Carey and others lose in major categories, including album of the year and best new artist](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893740-7931173-image-a-34_1580054124123.jpg)
Over the years, the awards show has been criticized when top performing acts like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Eminem, Mariah Carey and others lose in major categories, including album of the year and best new artist
![Diddy is congratulated by Jay-Z at the event after his blazing speech about artists in his genre](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893612-7931173-Diddy_is_congratulated_by_Jay_Z_at_the_event_after_his_blazing_s-a-25_1580053643650.jpg)
![Diddy, Jay-Z and Beyonce](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893614-7931173-image-m-24_1580053637130.jpg)
Diddy is congratulated by Jay-Z at the event after his blazing speech about artists in his genre
![Beyonce is seen waiting to congratulate Diddy on Saturday at the event in LA](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893606-7931173-image-a-20_1580053520227.jpg)
Beyonce is seen waiting to congratulate Diddy on Saturday at the event in LA
![Rapper Jay-Z is pictured during a round of applause at the annual bash on Satuday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893748-7931173-image-a-71_1580056282551.jpg)
Rapper Jay-Z is pictured during a round of applause at the annual bash on Satuday
Questions loomed heavily over the Grammys' voting process this week after the academy´s just-ousted CEO, Deborah Dugan, claimed that the awards are rigged and filled with conflicts of interest.
'So right now with this current situation, it´s not a revelation. This thing been going on, and it´s not just going on in music, it´s going on in film, it´s going on in sports, it's going around the word,' Combs said.
'And for years we've allowed institutions that have never had our best interest at heart to judge us. And that stops right now.'
The 50-year-old ended with a stern message: 'I'm officially starting the clock - y´all got 365 days to get this (expletive) together.'
Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, earned the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award on Saturday night.
He dedicated the prize to classic albums that didn't win the top Grammy Award: Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall,' Prince's '1999,' Beyoncé's 'Lemonade,' Missy Elliott's 'Da Real World,' Snoop Dogg's 'Doggystyle,' Kanye West's 'Graduation' and Nas' 'Illmatic.'
![Diddy is pictured with his son Christian Casey Combs on Saturday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23893604-7931173-image-a-26_1580053715998.jpg)
Diddy is pictured with his son Christian Casey Combs on Saturday
![Christian Casey Combs performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888904-1580042605-472_634x422.jpg)
Christian Casey Combs performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
![Usher arrives](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23888954-7931173-Usher_arrives-a-69_1580056204406.jpg)
![Combs and Usher hug](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893770-7931173-Combs_and_Usher_hug-a-68_1580056204153.jpg)
Smokey Robinson and Sean 'Diddy' Combs attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala
![Smokey Robinson and Sean 'Diddy' Combs attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23893772-7931173-image-a-70_1580056217165.jpg)
Smokey Robinson and Sean 'Diddy' Combs attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala
![Sean Combs arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888906-1580042607-909_634x969.jpg)
Sean Combs arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton
![Faith Evans performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888914-1580042617-520_634x422.jpg)
Faith Evans performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
![Mase performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888916-1580042619-697_634x422.jpg)
Mase performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
![Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, received an all-star tribute from artists he's worked with, including Lil Kim](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888918-1580042621-709_634x422.jpg)
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, received an all-star tribute from artists he's worked with, including Lil Kim
![John Legend performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888920-1580042623-650_634x422.jpg)
John Legend performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
![Chance the Rapper performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888924-1580042629-405_634x435.jpg)
Chance the Rapper performs on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
![Janet Jackson didn't receive an award but was honored for her musical achievements, said she's happy to still have a career in music](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888912-1580042615-820_634x422.jpg)
Janet Jackson didn't receive an award but was honored for her musical achievements, said she's happy to still have a career in music
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, received an all-star tribute from artists he's worked with, including Lil Kim, Mase, Faith Evans and Carl Thomas.
The performance transformed the Beverly Hilton Hotel into a hip-hop jam session, with some people even dancing on top of chairs, including Usher, Wiz Khalifa and Combs himself.
Davis' annual gala, a not-so-easy event to get invited to, was jam-packed with well-known guests from a range of fields, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Michael Douglas, Naomi Campbell, Cardi B, Berry Gordy, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, DJ Khaled, Smokey Robinson, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Trevor Noah, Billy Porter and Wolfgang Puck.
Beck kicked off the multi-hour event with an energetic performance; others who hit the stage included Carlos Santana, Chance the Rapper, John Legend, Khalid and Cynthia Erivo, who sang Janet Jackson songs in tribute to the performer.
Jackson, who didn't receive an award but was honored for her musical achievements, said she's happy to still have a career in music.
'When I was getting dress this evening I thought about it and I said to myself, `I´ve been in this industry for 47 years,' the 53-year-old said. 'That's a long time but I still enjoy going to work and I feel very blessed my journey ahead of me.'
![Brandi Carlile, left, and Cyndi Lauper perform on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888922-1580042625-938_634x469.jpg)
Brandi Carlile, left, and Cyndi Lauper perform on stage at the Pre-Grammy Gala
![Miguel, from left, Wyclef Jean, Santana, and Andy Vargas perform on stage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888928-1580042635-545_634x450.jpg)
Miguel, from left, Wyclef Jean, Santana, and Andy Vargas perform on stage
![Clive Davis, left, and Cynthia Erivo arrive at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888910-1580042612-127_634x433.jpg)
Clive Davis, left, and Cynthia Erivo arrive at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
Though Cyndi Lauper wasn't honored Saturday, she also owned the show with an explosive performance of her classic hit song, 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun,' alongside singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile.
She took off her shoes, leaving the stage to sit on top of a table where Jamie Foxx, Usher and others were sitting.
'Wait, stop, you´re (expletive) dead,' Lauper told the crowd in the middle of her performance. 'You´re in the music industry. Where the (expletive) is your lungs?'
She won over the crowd, which fully participated by dancing out of their seats, singing along and - yep - having fun.
![Cardi B, left, and Offset](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23888930-7931173-Cardi_B_left_and_Offset_arrive_at_the_Pre_Grammy_Gala_And_Salute-a-46_1580055388299.jpg)
![Jessie J, left, and Channing Tatum](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/16/23888950-7931173-Jessie_J_left_and_Channing_Tatum_arrive_at_the_Pre_Grammy_Gala_A-m-45_1580055375115.jpg)
Cardi B and Offset (left) arrive at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons. Jessie J and Channing Tatum are pictured right
![Jamie Foxx arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/15/23888938-7931173-Jamie_Foxx_arrives_at_the_Pre_Grammy_Gala_And_Salute_To_Industry-a-17_1580052414755.jpg)
Jamie Foxx arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton
![Naomi Campbell arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888942-1580042660-377_634x880.jpg)
Naomi Campbell arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
![Lana Del Rey arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888952-1580042688-943_634x432.jpg)
Lana Del Rey arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton
![Ozzy Osbourne arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888956-1580042700-526_634x449.jpg)
Ozzy Osbourne arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
![Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/26/12/wire-23888958-1580042703-594_634x444.jpg)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons
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