Another major highlight of the Recording Academy Honors held Thursday (Jan. 29) and presented by the organization’s Black Music Collective, was the surprise presentation of a Grammy Award to Eve. The rap icon received the golden gramophone for her contribution on The Roots’ “You Got Me” — 26 years after the group and featured artist Erykah Badu took home the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group in 2000.
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Released as a single in 1999, “You Got Me” was cowritten by Jill Scott, who sang the chorus on the original version. However, Badu re-recorded the chorus for the take included on The Roots’ 1999 studio album Things Fall Apart, which also features Eve rapping the second verse. The original version with Scott was included on the 2005 compilation Home Grown! The Beginners Guide to Understanding the Roots, Volume One.
After the Recording Academy recently learned about the story behind “You Got Me,” CEO Harvey Mason Jr. noted during the ceremony, “It was really simple. It was really clear that we needed to make it right; it was a chance for us to make it right. So tonight, the Recording Academy is here to offer much deserved respect and recognition. So everyone please join in welcoming Philadelphia actress and hip-hop icon Eve to the stage.”
Accepting the award to raucous audience applause as the song played in the background, a resplendent Eve said, “I’m still processing this situation. This is actually for Little E from Philly. I’m truly, truly grateful to be in this room with all of you here; all of the great people who inspired me, my peers, everyone. But it’s weird. I remember when y’all called me — I was a little tipsy, as I’d had few martinis out with a friend. But I was kind of like, ‘Wow. What is yours never can miss you.”
In addition to her husband (“my biggest cheerleader”), her team and friends, Eve gave a shout-out to Apple Music 1 host Ebro Darden. “I don’t know if he’s in here,” she said, “but he’s the one who wouldn’t give up on this. My brother’s list, of course. And a shout-out to the Grammy Association for making this happen. And love all y’all.”
Eve’s newly minted Grammy marks her second golden statuette. She won her first Grammy Award in 2002 for best rap/sung collaboration with “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” featuring Gwen Stefani.
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