Jay Z reveals how Beyonce inspired him to end his 6-year Grammy boycott

The 4:44 singer opened up at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy event

Credit: Scott Roth/Invision/AP. (Scott Roth/Invision/AP)

Jay Z has finally opened up about what ended his longtime Grammys boycott.

In 1999, the 4:44 rapper began his six-year disappearance from the awards ceremony after rapper DMX was snubbed.

Jay didn't agree with the Academy's choice to give DMX zero nominations after having a successful year in music.

As a result, Jay decided to skip out on future ceremonies.

Just one year later, Jay was nominated for Vol.2...Hard Knock Life and subsequently won for Best Rap Album, but he didn't attend the ceremony.

But luckily, the rapper's boycott didn't last - and he has his now wife Beyoncé to thank for that.

After four years of staying away from the Grammys, Jay finally made his return.

"I didn't come back [to the Grammys] until 2004 when a beautiful, young lady whom I love dearly had a solo album, the beautiful Miss Beyonce," he explained at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala. "I realised, 'Man, art is super subjective and everyone is doing their best, and the Academy, they're human like we are and they're voting on things they like and it's subjective.'"

Jay further explained why he felt the need to be present at the ceremony saying, "And if we believe in [the Grammys], we care, because we've seen the most incredible artists stand on that stage and we're inspired to be that, so I was like, 'I have to be here.' That is the idea for all of us to get involved and to push this thing further no matter what happens at the Grammys, it's going to be what it is. Bob Marley is going to be Bob Marley, whether he's nominated for a Grammy or not. Tupac is going to be Tupac, Biggie is going to be Biggie."

It's a good thing Jay has decided to come back - the rapper is nominated for Album of the Year for 4:44.

Listen to our 2018 Grammys playlist below.