Alicia Keys made a powerful and poignant statement during her Grammys acceptance speech.
The artist was honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during the 2025 Grammys, and took a moment to speak out about the need for diverse voices.
โThis is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices. Weโve seen on this stage talented, hardworking people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game,โ she said. โDEI is not a threat, itโs a gift.โ
She continued, โAnd the more voices, the more power for the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix and as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all. So beautiful.โ
Keys encouraged all to show up with compassion, empathy, โsoul careโ and to continue to open doors for others.
Keysโ comments come as President Donald Trump issued executive orders to put a stop to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. According to NBC News, federal employees have been working to followย orders prohibiting the support ofย DEIย effortsย within government agencies. That included a pause on all activities related to cultural awareness months and holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day and other โspecial observances.โ
Also in her speech, Keys said that sheโs โalways had to fight for a certain level of respectโ as a songwriter, composer and โespeciallyโ as a producer. She said that itโs โstrangeโ that people donโt think of women as producers like the late Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre or her husband, Swizz Beatz.
โBut female producers have always powered the industry,โ she said, calling out a few like Missy Elliott, Solange โand so many more.โ
The 2025 Grammys were hosted by Trevor Noah. See all the biggest, best and unexpected moments, performances and winners in TODAY.com’s live blog.
