Alicia Keys is set to be honored at the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors, ahead of the 2025 Grammys, as the recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. The award was established in 2023 to “recognize artists whose influence extends far beyond music” and “celebrate not only musical excellence but also entrepreneurial achievements, philanthropic efforts and a profound impact on a global scale.”
When speaking on Keys as this year’s honoree, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement, “From her timeless music to her unwavering dedication to uplifting others, Alicia has made an indelible impact on the world.”
He continued, “Alicia embodies everything the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award represents — her artistry knows no bounds, her advocacy inspires meaningful change, and her influence has profoundly shaped culture. We are honored to celebrate her extraordinary legacy and the transformative contributions she continues to make in music and beyond.” Previous recipients of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award include Dr. Dre himself, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, Sylvia Rhone, and JAY-Z.
Keys is a 16x Grammy winner, best-selling author, mother, entrepreneur, and became a Broadway producer with her semi-autobiographical play, Hell’s Kitchen.
“The characters are definitely inspired by the city, inspired by my experiences of individuals and people. And I think that’s what gives it the richness and the relatability that you experience when you come,” she explained to VIBE last year. “To me, that’s why it feels so good, how art does imitate life because you’re able to take the experiences, those fundamentals, those emotions, those connections, those layered, complex behaviors of humanity and put it all together into these stories that really, really hit you.”
The play is hitting the road in 2025.