On the night of February 22, 1989, During the 31st Grammy Awards, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince‘s won Best Rap Performance for Parents Just Don’t Understand, which appeared on the duo’s second album, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. “Parents Just Don’t Understand” was the first hip-hop song to win a Grammy and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) were the first rappers to win a Grammy. LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, Kool Moe Dee and J. J. Fad were also nominated in the same category that year. “Parents Just Don’t Understand” peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After finding out the new rap category would not be aired on television, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince didn’t attend the event to accept their award. Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen led a boycott of the 1989 Grammys. DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Fresh Prince, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, Ice-T, Slick Rick and more boycotted together.
Kool Moe Dee and J. J. Fad attended the event. While Kool Moe Dee went on stage to present the award for best male R&B vocal, he made a statement
“On the behalf of all M.C.s
My co-workers and fellow nominees
Jazzy Jeff, J. J. Fad,
Salt-N-Pepa and the boy who’s bad
We personify power and a drug-free mind
And we express ourselves through rhythm and rhyme
So I think it’s time that the whole world knows
Rap is here to stay – drummer, let’s go!”
The Grammys boycott worked, the next year, The Grammys aired the award for Best Rap Performance (Young MC won for “Bust A Move”).
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