It was a packed house as celebs gathered together for Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy bash where Jay Z was honored, Dreamgirls Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson reunited, Jamie Foxx and his girlfriend Katie Holmes were all boo’d up and much more. Soak it all in inside….
Before the 2018 Grammys passed out awards, industry vet Clive Davis threw his annual Pre-Grammy gala at the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square to salute industry icons. And who better to honor than Jay Z. His 4:44 album was unapologetic, honest, and raw, sending shock waves through the music industry.
During his acceptance speech, he revealed why he boycotted the Grammys after DMX was snubbed in ’98, how Beyonce -who was there looking ridiculously perfect - influenced him to come back, and why its important for artists to stay true to themselves.
Read his full speech below:
“I'm going to say a lot of real things tonight, but it's all coming from a beautiful and honest place. My introduction to the Grammys—aside from watching Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder and all those guys and aspiring to do what they do—was in 1998 with the album called Vol. 2. You got that album? I was nominated for some awards, but there was another guy, DMX, and he had these two great albums the same year. He did like 900,000. Oh, only Kevin remembers this? [Laughs]. The same year he released those albums he wasn't nominated for any awards, so I actually boycotted the Grammys.”
“I didn't come until 2004 when a beautiful young lady whom I love dearly had a solo album, and it was a breakout. So my first time was six years later for "Crazy in Love" and that album, and for Beyoncé. So then I realized that art is super subjective and everyone is doing their best. The Academy is human, like we are, and they're voting on things that they like. And we can pretend that we don't care, but we really do. We see the most incredible artists stand on that stage and we aspire to be that. So I was like, 'I have to be here.' We have to all get involved to push this thing further. No matter what happens at the Grammys, we know what it is. Bob Marley is going to be Bob Marley whether he is nominated for a Grammy or not. 2Pac is going to be 2Pac. Biggie is going to be Biggie. That is the truth.”
“In this industry, for the things we uphold and we love and we treasure and we respect, we have to get involved. I stand up here on the shoulders of all the beautiful people who inspired me. So like all of the people that came before us, it is our duty to make sure that not only are we making the greatest art, we uphold and support each other and the things that are super real. So I'm super humbled and I'm super appreciative to The Academy and everybody here tonight. Thank you so much for this award. This shit is super heavy too, by the way!"
Love this.
Alicia Keys, Clive Davis and President of the Recording Academy Neil Portnow congratulated Hov during the soiree.
The "Girl On Fire" hit the stage to perform a special tribute to the Hop Hop icon:
Congrats Hov!
Before the bash...
Mr. & Mrs. Carter stunted together in a few flicks before heading out. Bey rocked a custom AzziAndOsta gown, a leather Eugenia Kim beret, Jimmy Choo shoes, a Valentino bag and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. Her hubby kept it dapper in a Musike Frére suit, stlyed by celebrity stylist June Ambrose.
Another couple all loved up...
Well here’s a first.
Jamie Foxx and his girlfriend Katie Holmes have kept their relationship super private, but it seems they’re starting to let the world in some. Just a tad bit.
Back in December, Katie popped up at Jamie’s store grand opening, but they didn’t snap any pictures together. These days, it seems they aren’t going out their way NOT to be pictured together. Well, kind of.
During the event, Katie got up from her seat next to Jamie moments before Clive Davis announced Jamie’s presence, but Clive called her out.
“This lady left the room right when I was going to introduce her, she was sitting at that table right with Jamie Foxx and everyone else,” Clive said. “If you’re going to sit together what better night than tonight?,” he continued.
It’s reported Jamie was cracking up while Katie looked embarrassed. However, Katie ended up coming back to her seat next to Jamie and they enjoyed the rest of the event together.
The Carters even stopped back to say hello.
Making his rounds, Jamie linked up with CNN's Don Lemon and "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King.
Jennifer Hudson isn't letting the drama with her ex keep her inside. The Grammy winner popped up on the carpet in a metallic Rubin Singer dress.
Issa reunion! JHud and Bey, who both starred in Dreamgirls, nabbed a selfie moment.
These two are going for couple of the year.
Diddy and Cassie was hot on the Grammy Weekend scene, so it was no surprise they showed up dressed to the 9s for the Clive Davis bash.
The model/singer kept it cute in a black and white high-low PAULE KA number while he beau kept it dapper in a black tailored suit.
Rapper French Montana and Diddy's sons, Justin and Christian Combs, made their way on the carpet to snap it up with the lovebirds.
Cardi B loves to switch up her look at the drop of a dime. The "Bodak Yellow" rapper whipped out a black cropped bob with a bang for the Grammy Weekend festivities.
Chick slayed the carpet in a cream strapless Ashi Studio gown from the Spring 2018 collection.
Oh baby!
We imagine this year's Grammy fun is a little different being that Chrissy Teigen is pregnant with her 2nd child and can not partake in drinking. But, we're sure she and John Legend still had fun because Chrissy is hilarious even when she's sober.
The pregnant model bumped along on the carpet in a custom Jonathan Simkhai dress.
By the way, Chrissy and John are expecting a baby boy. Congrats to the couple.
Mariah Carey and boo Bryan Tanaka are still going strong. And MiMi is looking damn good these days.
Shining! LaLa Anthony rocked this metallic deep plunging Jenny Packham gown for the festivities.
Migos, who was nominated for two Grammys, linked up with Hip Hop mogul Diddy.
DJ Khaled was the life of the party. Obviously.
"Love & Hip Hop" creator Mona Scott Young, singer Monica, and XSCAPE singer/"RHOA" star Kandi Burruss trekked it to the party.
Kandi's hubby Todd Tucker wasn't too far behind.
Are we feeling Kandi's look?
Come thru Faith Evans! Ponytail steez, plunging neckline and sheerness did her look justice.
The fellas were also looking nice! Ne-Yo, Jadakiss and Fabolous were dappered down.
Model Winnie Harlow, showing off in a August Getty Atelier gown, stuck a few model poses on the carpet.
Model Jourdan Dunn was pretty in pink while serving up some thigh action.
Singer Anthony Hamilton chopped it up with Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy.
"Empire" co-creator Lee Daniels with the duck lips on the carpet.
NBA baller Chris Bosh and his wife Adrienne Bosh served up coupledom vibes in all black everything.
Power 105 radio host Angie Martinez got stylish in a black powersuit.
We love Tamron Hall, but we're not feeling this look on her.
CNN's Don Lemon brought his boyfriend Tim Malone along as his date.
We see you Debra Lee!
On stage...
Honey, Gladys Knight is SLAYING our lives. The music icon looked AMAZING while performing during the bash.
Migos and Jennifer Hudson also hit the stage:
Fun times!
Here's a clip of Migos performing:
And the trio, who just released their Culture II album, also met music industry icon Quincy Jones:
Did Quincy say what we think he said?
Photos: Getty/Instagram