Jay-Z Says Grammys 'Missed the Moment' at Previous Ceremonies, Reflects on Why Beyonce's 'Renaissance' Should Have Won Album of the Year

Jay-Z knew who he wanted to win Album of the Year going into the 2023 Grammys last weekend.

On Sunday (February 5), the hitmaker was rooting for his wife Beyonce to take home the top honor of the night, which ultimately went to Harry Styles.

Since then, an interview he gave ahead of the awards show has resurfaced. In it, he explained why she deserved the win for Renaissance and shared his thoughts about previous times she was up for Album of the Year.

Read more about Jay-Z and the Grammys…

During a conversation with Tidal, Jay-Z explained that he felt the Grammys had “missed the moment” multiple times when Beyonce was up for Album of the Year.

“Even with Bey, I felt like they missed the moment,” he said. “Not just LEMONADE; [also] when Beck won over her [for Album of the Year at the 2015 show]. I was like, ‘Oh, y’all missed it,’” he said.

Beyonce‘s Lemonade lost out to Adele for Album of the Year in 2017. The victorious hitmaker tearfully dedicated the win to her competitor. Beck took top honors over the star’s self-titled release in 2015.

She was also nominated in the category for I Am… Sasha Fierce in 2010. That time Taylor Swift won for Fearless.

Jay-Z continued, saying he hoped “they just get it right” this year

He also explained why Renaissance deserved the big win.

“Look what it’s done to the culture. Look how the energy of the world moved. They play her whole album in the club,” he said of his wife’s album. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that. The whole entire joint — like, everything?!”

“When it just inspires creativity, that’s an album. That has to be Album of the Year. It has to be,” he continued.

While she didn’t win AOTY, Beyonce did make Grammys history in a different way during the ceremony.