As we previously reported, JAY-Z received the President’s Award during the 50th NAACP Image Awards last night (Mar. 30), in Los Angeles.

Before Hov accepted his award, NAACP president Derrick Johnson introduced the hip hop icon as someone who has “changed the very fabric of culture of America.”

“But for us at this critical time in our history he has become a driving force as a founding partner of the reform new initiative dedicated to changing the unfair and unjust laws for the millions of Americans currently on parole and probation,” Johnson continued in his intro.

Jay was met with loud cheers from the crowd while his wife Beyoncé smiled proudly in the audience. He opened his speech with a joke.

“President’s Award, so I think I’ma start by saying a quote our very humbled and kind-hearted president,” JAY-Z said before taking a pause. As the crowd nervously laughed, the “Family Feud” rapper clarified by saying “I was talking about Donald Glover,” as the crowd laughed some more.

The 49-year-old rapper went on to quote the 16th President of the United States, “Abraham Lincoln had a quote that said, ‘It’s not the amount of years in your life, it’s the amount of life in your years that count in the end.’”

He then went on to dedicate the award to the strong and important women in his life, starting with his 93-year-old grandmother Hattie White.

“She is so full of life and she among other accomplishments, being super great and very tough, she raised seven kids, one little walk up in Brooklyn. 615 Lexington, started my life,” he reminisced about his grandmother. “On top of that, her kids had kids and we all were raised in the same house. One household.”

He also admitted that he changed his speech after a conversation with his grandma about how much money she made while supporting the family. “$20 a week. It was fine. You could do a lot with $20 in those days.”

He then went on to give praise to his mother, Gloria Carter, “I grew believing I could do anything. That I could accomplish anything because of those strong women in my house. I would like to dedicate this award to those beautiful women.”

“I’d like to dedicate this award to beautiful women in my life, Ms. Beyoncé,” he said about his wife. “Just because of the white suit,” he jokingly added, as Beyoncé supported her husband from the front row.

Later during the show, Beyoncé won Entertainer of the Year in a tight race that included LeBron James, Ryan Coogler, Regina King and Chadwick Boseman. The “Summer” singer forwent the traditional thank you speech and took the opportunity to celebrate her fellow nominees.

“Regina King, I love you so much. You’ve taught us patience, persistence, and how to be masterful in your craft,” she said about the Oscar Award-winning actress. “Chadwick Boseman is teaching children to dream and to see themselves as kings.”

“LeBron James has taught us strength of all forms in leading by example and providing education for our kids,” she continued. “Ryan Coogler tells our stories in a way that celebrates our history and proves that we do have power at the box office.”

“And I’m honored to be included among all of you and to be a part of a vital, thriving community,” she concluded before the crowd roar with applause.

See the full list of winners here.