Of the many confessional lyrics on JAY-Z’s 4:44, the reveal of his mother Gloria’s homosexuality on “Smile”—an admission he didn’t originally have her blessing to discuss—was among his most vulnerable. The revelation came from a conversation between the mother and son that led him to cry, and was a move that GLAAD immediately applauded.
The organization will now give praise to JAY-Z again at its 29th annual GLAAD Media Awards.
The world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization announced today (January 19) that JAY will receive a special recognition award for “Smile” and its music video, a visual he dropped back in November along with the clips for “Legacy” and “Marcy Me.” Watch it below.
The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be held in Los Angeles on April 12 and in New York on May 5.