She felt so strongly about it that she used the occasion to beg people to be “more open to enjoying art.”
If you’re not familiar, Stevie Wonder, a 25-time Grammy winner, presented the award. Beyoncé expressed her thanks for everything at the time by stating, “Whenever anyone asks me if there’s anyone that I could listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you.”
As she approached the stage, the 42-year-old singer wore a black leather suit and a cowboy hat to commemorate all the trailblazers who have broken through the status quo by refusing to accept “any labels placed upon them and dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts.”
She mentioned Wonder, Prince, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, and Rosetta Tharpe.
In her award speech, she expressed her gratitude for being dubbed an innovator, saying that “innovation starts with a dream.” However, putting that goal into action can be a very difficult journey.
“Seeing what everyone thinks is impossible is what it takes to be an innovator.” She continued, “Getting criticism is a common part of being an inventor, and it will test your mental toughness.
The vocalist of YA YA also called on “all the record labels, every radio station, every awards show” to embrace art with “no preconceived notions” and to be “more open to the joy and liberation.”
