The Grammys Have Always Been Corrupt
Throughout the decades, the Grammys have served as a culmination of an artist's career. It's that moment in their career where they are recognized for their achievements, hard work, and success. Unfortunately, the music industry has always been corrupt, and this includes The Annual Grammy Awards.
After being snubbed by The Grammys for 2021, receiving zero nominations for one of the biggest albums of the year, The Weeknd responded via Twitter: "The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans, and the industry transparency."
The Canadian pop star has every right to suggest such a statement. Weeknd's album, After Hours, released in March of 2020 and broke the record for most global pre-adds in Apple Music history, with 1.02 million users pre-adding the album to their libraries. It spent four consecutive weeks at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and his single "Blinding Lights" broke the record for most weeks in the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100. He expanded the narrative of After Hours through numerous music videos, live performances, and a short film. All while rocking his iconic red suit and bloody face. Talk about commitment.
This wouldn't be the first time The Grammys, who are notorious for their lack of diversity, has snubbed a black artist. Of course, I am referring to the 2014 Grammy Awards, where Macklemore's The Heist ousted Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d City. Don't get me wrong, Macklemore is a highly talented artist who truly doesn't get the respect he deserves in Hip-Hop; however, that's a topic for another day. The point being, the Grammys have always been corrupt. Something that Macklemore acknowledged in 2014 after stating that "[Kendrick] got robbed."
Speaking of black artists who have been snubbed by the Grammys. Another artist who felt the Award show wronged her is none other than Nicki Minaj. In 2009, Nicki Minaj emerged as one of Lil Wayne's proteges and would go on to dominate the charts her first year, in addition to breaking female-rapper records. Yet, in the 2010 Grammy Awards, Minaj lost Best New Artist to Bon Iver.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the Award show, Minaj also responded via Twitter. "Never forget the Grammys didn't give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade- went on to inspire a generation. They gave it to the white man Bon Iver. #PinkFriday"
The Grammys have also failed to acknowledge the posthumous albums released by Mac Miller, Pop Smoke, and Juice WRLD, respectively. Pop Smoke's track "Dior" served as one of the anthems against Police Brutality, which has plagued 2020. Not to mention the release of his debut album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon making him the first Hip-Hop act in history to posthumously debut at number one on Billboard 200 with a debut album. Juice WRLD's posthumous album Legends Never Die debuted at number 1. With 17 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, Juice WRLD became the third artist in history to have five songs simultaneously in the top 10, behind The Beatles and Drake. This is also the second time the academy has snubbed Mac Miller, the first time being in 2019 when Mac's Swimming lost to Cardi B's Invasion of Privacy for Best Rap Album. Now, in 2020, Miller's posthumous album Circles, which saw Miller blossoming into a brilliant songwriter and singer, isn't even being considered for a category. It's just disappointing to see that the Recording Academy failed to acknowledge three of Hip-Hop's most influential artists following their untimely deaths.
Despite the prestige surrounding the Grammys, it's become crystal clear that Hip-Hop doesn't need the stamp of approval by an Academy that proves time and time that it doesn't care about black artists. So enjoy this tweet of Kanye West pissing on the Grammys.