Eve Finally Receives Long-Overdue Grammy Recognition (Nearly 27 Years Later)

After nearly three decades of waiting, iconic Philly rapper Eve has finally received a Grammy Award for her contribution to one of hip-hop’s most enduring classics — you got it, “You Got Me” by The Roots.

A Grammy Missed… and Now Delivered

At the 68th Grammy Awards era events in late January 2026, Eve was formally presented with an official Grammy medallion recognizing her uncredited verse on “You Got Me” — a track that originally won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Because she was not officially credited on the song at the time, she was excluded from the award recipients more than 25 years ago.

The oversight was corrected at the Recording Academy Honors Presented by The Black Music Collective in Los Angeles on January 29, 2026, where Eve accepted the Grammy amidst cheers from peers and fans alike.

Why It Took So Long

The Roots’ 1999 anthem “You Got Me” is celebrated widely for its innovative blend of live instrumentation and lyrical depth. The song featured vocals from Erykah Badu and a verse by Eve — who was still a rising artist at the time — but only Badu and The Roots received the Grammy back in 2000 due to industry crediting practices.

Renewed attention around Eve’s role — amplified in recent years through candid discussions on podcasts like Questlove Supreme — helped prompt the Recording Academy to revisit the decision. According to multiple reports, Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. explained that once the oversight was brought to light, correcting it was “really simple” and long overdue.

Eve’s Reaction and Reflection

In her acceptance remarks, Eve spoke with gratitude and grace, reflecting on her journey from philly streets to Grammy stage. Her sentiment, often quoted in coverage, was along the lines of:
“What is yours never can miss you” — a testament to patience and legacy.

Despite the delay, she expressed no enduring resentment, emphasizing that her career took its own unique and empowering path — including other accolades and achievements along the way.

The Larger Conversation

Music journalists and critics have pointed out that this correction highlights broader issues of credit, recognition, and historical visibility in the music industry — especially for contributions by women and artists in collaborative recordings. The decision to finally honor Eve is seen by many as a positive, symbolic step toward addressing past oversights as reported by Hollywood Reporter.

What This Means for Eve’s Legacy

Prior to this moment, Eve had already built a multi-faceted legacy as a Grammy-winning artist, actor, and cultural figure. Her first Grammy came in 2002 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration on “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” with Gwen Stefani.

Now, her name returns to the Grammy roll not just once but affirmatively for her early foundational work — a powerful reminder that artistic contribution can ultimately be recognized, even if belatedly.

1999 — “You Got Me” Is Recorded

• The Roots record “You Got Me” for their album Things Fall Apart.

• The track features vocals by Erykah Badu and a standout verse by a then-emerging Eve.

• At the time, Eve was still early in her mainstream ascent and was not officially credited as a featured artist on the song.

February 2000 — The Song Wins a Grammy

• “You Got Me” wins Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards.

• Only The Roots (and credited contributors) receive Grammy medals.

• Eve’s verse — despite being central to the song’s cultural impact — is excluded from official recognition due to crediting rules of the era.

2001–2002 — Eve Becomes a Superstar

• Eve’s solo career explodes with Let There Be Eve… Ruff Ryders’ First Lady.

• In 2002, she wins her first Grammy for “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” with Gwen Stefani.

• The irony: Eve is now a Grammy winner — just not for the song that helped launch her visibility.

2000s–2010s — The Oversight Becomes Industry Lore

• Fans, journalists, and hip-hop historians increasingly point out that Eve’s contribution to “You Got Me” was never formally honored.

• The situation becomes a recurring example in discussions about:

  • Credit inequities

  • Guest verses vs. featured billing

  • Women’s recognition in hip-hop collaborations

2020–2024 — Public Conversations Reignite

• Members of The Roots, including Questlove, openly acknowledge Eve’s role in interviews and podcasts.

• Clips circulate online reigniting calls for the Recording Academy to retroactively correct the omission.

• Pressure grows as award institutions begin re-examining historical oversights.

January 29, 2026 — The Grammy Is Finally Awarded

• At the Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective in Los Angeles, Eve is officially presented with a Grammy medallion.

• The award formally recognizes her contribution to “You Got Me” — 27 years after the song’s release.

• The Academy confirms the correction was valid once the credit issue was reviewed.

Eve’s Response — Grace, Not Grievance

• Eve responds with gratitude rather than resentment, famously summarizing the moment with:

  “What is meant for you will always find you.”

• The moment is widely celebrated across hip-hop media as:

  • A win for legacy artists

  • A rare example of institutional accountability

  • A symbolic correction of hip-hop history

Why This Moment Matters

• This correction sets an important precedent:

  • Uncredited contributors can be recognized retroactively

  • Historical hip-hop records are still being actively reassessed

• For Eve, it closes a circle — honoring not just her success, but her foundational presence at the very start of her career.