Solange Says Alicia Keys' 2025 Grammys Speech Shoutout Made Her 'Smile' and Feel Inspired as a Producer

Mar. 15, 2025

Solange Knowles; Alicia Keys.Photo:Marcus Ingram/Getty; Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Marcus Ingram/Getty; Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Solangecan’t stop smiling afterAlicia Keys'2025 Grammys speechshout-out.In Keys' acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, she shouted out the “Losing You” singer along withPatrice Rushen,Missy Elliott,Linda PerryandGrimeswhen naming powerful female producers.“I just want to give big love to my brotherDr. Drewho created a sound that began a movement, and your sound told me that if you’re a creative growing up in Compton or Hell’s Kitchen, you can touch the world," Keys said.“I always had to fight for a certain level of respect as a songwriter, a composer and especially a producer. It’s strange that we don’t think of women as producers likeQuincy [Jones]or Dre or [husband]Swizzy, but female producers have always powered the industry.““Omggg this made me smile so bigggg being mentioned in this lineup,” Solange, 38, wrote onXMonday, Feb. 3, sharing a video from the awards ceremony. “Let me go make some beats lol.“When Keys, 44, mentioned Solange,Beyoncécould be seen clapping and nodding in agreement.Alicia Keys at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025.Kevin Winter/GettySolange had been teasing new music in the works after sharing a picture on herInstagram Storiesof her and producer P’ierre Bourne working together in the studio last month.In 2024, she toldHarper’s Bazaarthatshe started writing music for the tuba. “And I am trying to talk myself into releasing it, but I can only imagine the eye rolls from people being like, this bitch hasn’t made an album.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Elsewhere in her acceptance speech, Keys spoke about the importance of creativity.“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices we’ve seen on this stage,” she said, adding that “hard-working people from different backgrounds with different points of view” has a positive impact in the industry.“DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] is not a threat, it’s a gift,” Keys continued, appearing to aim her messaging at PresidentDonald Trump, who hasbeen vocal against DEI policies.Solange Knowles in Los Angeles in August 2023.Phillip Faraone/Getty"And the more voices, the more powerful the sound,” Keys continued in her passionate speech. “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.“Along with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Keys also took home theGrammyfor best musical theater album for the musicalHell’s Kitchen— the play loosely based on her life — on Feb. 2. She has won 17 Grammys throughout her career.

Solangecan’t stop smiling afterAlicia Keys'2025 Grammys speechshout-out.

In Keys' acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, she shouted out the “Losing You” singer along withPatrice Rushen,Missy Elliott,Linda PerryandGrimeswhen naming powerful female producers.

“I just want to give big love to my brotherDr. Drewho created a sound that began a movement, and your sound told me that if you’re a creative growing up in Compton or Hell’s Kitchen, you can touch the world,” Keys said.

“I always had to fight for a certain level of respect as a songwriter, a composer and especially a producer. It’s strange that we don’t think of women as producers likeQuincy [Jones]or Dre or [husband]Swizzy, but female producers have always powered the industry.”

“Omggg this made me smile so bigggg being mentioned in this lineup,” Solange, 38, wrote onXMonday, Feb. 3, sharing a video from the awards ceremony. “Let me go make some beats lol.”

When Keys, 44, mentioned Solange,Beyoncécould be seen clapping and nodding in agreement.

Alicia Keys at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Solange had been teasing new music in the works after sharing a picture on herInstagram Storiesof her and producer P’ierre Bourne working together in the studio last month.

In 2024, she toldHarper’s Bazaarthatshe started writing music for the tuba. “And I am trying to talk myself into releasing it, but I can only imagine the eye rolls from people being like, this bitch hasn’t made an album.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elsewhere in her acceptance speech, Keys spoke about the importance of creativity.

“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices we’ve seen on this stage,” she said, adding that “hard-working people from different backgrounds with different points of view” has a positive impact in the industry.

“DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] is not a threat, it’s a gift,” Keys continued, appearing to aim her messaging at PresidentDonald Trump, who hasbeen vocal against DEI policies.

Solange Knowles in Los Angeles in August 2023.Phillip Faraone/Getty

Phillip Faraone/Getty

“And the more voices, the more powerful the sound,” Keys continued in her passionate speech. “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.”

Along with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Keys also took home theGrammyfor best musical theater album for the musicalHell’s Kitchen— the play loosely based on her life — on Feb. 2. She has won 17 Grammys throughout her career.

source: people.com