00:00Good morning, everybody. How are we feeling today?
00:03This is a special and historic day.
00:06I'm so excited to be here.
00:08I'm thrilled to celebrate you, Angelique.
00:11I'm going to talk a little bit about you.
00:12I hope you don't mind, but here we go.
00:14I've spent much of my career around artists,
00:17and every so often, every once in a while,
00:21you experience somebody whose impact extends beyond the stage,
00:26someone whose music doesn't just entertain audiences,
00:30but brings people together.
00:32And you spoke about that a little bit.
00:34Someone who isn't just an artist, but there's purpose behind the art.
00:40Angelique is absolutely one of those rare artists.
00:45Earlier this year, I actually had the privilege, and you'll remember this,
00:48we were in Abu Dhabi together at the Culture Summit gathering,
00:51and there were hundreds of leaders, politicians and thought leaders,
00:56policymakers, all from all around the world, innovators, really cool people.
01:01They're from different countries, and they had different beliefs,
01:03different cultures, different faiths, a lot of different perspectives.
01:07Angelique took the stage, and you wouldn't believe what happened next.
01:12It was like something you've never seen at one of these very proper official events.
01:19People were on their feet.
01:20They were singing.
01:21People that have probably never stood up and danced before,
01:23never sung before, were singing, probably in some words they might not have even understood.
01:28But they were smiling, they were hugging, they were dancing.
01:32A room full of individuals from every corner of the world
01:35became a community connected by one person.
01:46That's the power of Angelique.
01:49For decades, the Recording Academy and the Grammys have had the privilege of recognizing
01:55Angelique's extraordinary, incredible, amazing contributions to music.
02:01Today, we celebrate not only her achievements, but we celebrate all the things that she's done
02:07to impact our world, our music community, and the audiences from everywhere.
02:13For more than 44 decades...
02:18You can say it loud.
02:19No, I'll say it loud.
02:20I want to pull you out.
02:22You've brought people together through music.
02:25She's connected cultures.
02:26She's crossed borders.
02:27She's reminded audiences everywhere that while we may come from different backgrounds,
02:33her music unites us in a way that few other things can.
02:39So there are artists whose careers are measured by awards, which you certainly have.
02:44Some of them have been measured by streams, which of course you have.
02:47Chart success, of course you have.
02:50And then there are artists whose impact is measured by something much bigger.
02:54And I would say maybe more important.
02:57Artists who change how we see the world.
03:01Artists that expand the boundaries of culture.
03:04Artists that leave an imprint not only on music, but on people.
03:08Angelique is one of those rare artists.
03:12Through her career, she has shaped the sound and stories and spirit of Africa
03:16with audiences all around the globe.
03:19Of course, you've heard about all the collaborations across genres and generations.
03:24She's embraced innovation while honoring tradition, which I love about you.
03:29And through it all, she's remained authentic and unapologetically yourself.
03:36As someone who spent my entire life around music creators,
03:39I can tell you that what makes Angelique special goes far beyond just her talent.
03:45It's her purpose.
03:46It's her purpose.
03:49She understands that music can entertain, but also educate.
03:52It can celebrate, but it can also inspire.
03:54It can bring joy, but it also can create understanding.
03:59Whether through your performances, your advocacy, your commitment to lifting others up,
04:04you've consistently demonstrated what it means to use your platform
04:08in service of something greater than yourself.
04:11That's leadership.
04:12That's artistry.
04:14That's legacy.
04:16That's legacy.
04:16And that's why Angelique is one of those rare artists.
04:19Today's recognition carries a very special significance.
04:24The star honors an extraordinary career, but it also represents something much larger.
04:31As we've heard, the first black African performer to receive this star.
04:37Angelique's recognition reflects not only your own remarkable journey, but also the growing global influence African artists and African culture
04:45are having around the world.
04:46It serves as a reminder to young creators everywhere that their stories matter, their voices matter, and their unique perspectives
04:54have the power to reach the world as you have.
04:57For generations to come, people will walk down this street, and they'll see your name among all the legends that
05:06helped shape our culture.
05:08And they'll be reminded of what's possible when talent is matched with courage and conviction and generosity and purpose.
05:16Angelique, your music has inspired billions, not millions, billions.
05:23Your advocacy has changed lives, your example has elevated our global music community, and your work continues to remind us
05:31that music is more than entertainment, it's connection.
05:34So on behalf of the Recording Academy, and on behalf of music creators all around the world, I want to
05:40say congratulations on this extraordinary honor.
05:43This star is a permanent symbol.
05:45It's not going anywhere.
05:46And it's a symbol of your achievements.
05:48But your legacy, it lives in the people that you've touched, that you've inspired, the barriers that you've broken, the
05:55connections you've created all around the world, including those connections in Abu Dhabi from those people that you would never
06:03expect to be connected, but you did it.
06:05So Angelique, thank you for showing us what music can do when it's rooted in authenticity, in purpose, and in
06:13love.
06:14Thank you, thank you for being one of those rare artists.
06:18The star may bear your name, but its light reflects the impact you've had on the world.
06:24Congratulations, my friend, on this very well-deserved honor.
