Ice Cube jokes about Dr. Dre’s absence when N.W.A accepts Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award

Yesterday, The Recording Academy (The Grammys) presented the Special Merit Awards to Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Laurie Anderson, the Clark Sisters, Gladys Knight, N.W.A, Donna Summer, and Tammy Wynette. During an acceptance speech of N.W.A, Dr. Dre was absent and Ice Cube could not stop himself to throw a little joke.

Dr. Dre was a notable omission from the group of N.W.A members who were present in Los Angeles on Saturday (Feb. 4, 2024) to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys. However, Ice Cube explained the icon’s absence by cracking a little joke. “My man, Dr. Dre, is not here. He wanted to make sure I let you know he’s not hating. He a billionaire. He got sh-t to do…[Laughs] We would not be here without him. We are grateful for him and his brilliance and his talent. His leadership.” said Cube.

The award was received by Ice Cube, The DOC, MC Ren, DJ Yella, Lil Eazy E and Eazy-E’s mother Kathie Wright. The CEO of Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr. also revealed the message Dr. Dre sent him before the ceremony: “I did just get a text message from Dr. Dre and I wanna share it with y’all cause I think you’ll appreciate it. It’s very short. As expected. ‘I’m honored to receive this award with my N.W.A brothers. We’ve been together for a long time so I regret not being there and being able to celebrate with you all. This ceremony falls on my daughter’s birthday and as much as I want to be with you all and all the guys, I could not break her heart. And I definitely didn’t want anyone to think that I’m on some funny style sh–t.’ Thank you everybody. Thank you N.W.A.”

You can watch the acceptance video below and check all the 2024 Grammy winners list here.