A Rap Listener’s Problem With The Grammys

On paper, the Grammys should be spectacular. It’s a celebration of music by leaders of the industry. It’s the biggest music event of the year and it should honor the greatest artists from each given year. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. 

Most of the time, the Grammys is a popularity contest. That’s why Adele and Taylor Swift account for 25 Grammys over the past 10 years. Twenty-five. There is no doubt that Adele and Taylor Swift are two of the most influential artists of their generation and they definitely deserve a good amount of those awards. However, 25 in just a ten year period is egregious. 

The Grammys should be a platform for some lesser known artists to have a chance to get some mainstream eyes. I’m not saying it should be a direct route from the underground to the Grammys, but even some mid-tier names should be given a chance to win an award. 

For example, there is no reason for Lil Nas X’s 7 to feature as a nomination for Album of the Year. “Old Town Road” was a great track, but it could not even come close to carrying the rest of that disaster of an album. 

The Recording Academy’s formula isn’t even rational. It makes no sense that 7 is nominated for Album of the Year, but not Rap Album of the Year, yet Tyler, the Creator’s IGOR is not nominated for Album of the Year, but Rap Album of the Year. 7 both more of a rap album than IGOR and also a much worse project than IGOR, so neither nomination makes a lick of sense. 

Lil Nas X is the much more pretty and less controversial pick for the spotlight than Tyler, the Creator. Lil Nas X has a spotless reputation in the industry while Tyler, the Creator has a controversial past. The Recording Academy is ignoring the most important thing about the Grammys: the music.

Source: Jonathan Blundell via Creative Commons