By Kate Coli

At the end of each year, music critics and fans wait for fresh Grammy nominations to judge, critique, and evaluate. This year, the 2021 nominations sent a ripple throughout the music community, as many artists were either snubbed or surprisingly nominated. 

The categories that get the most attention are usually Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Swift performing in 2012.
Photo credits: Eva Rinaldi.

Artists like 2020’s new favorite singer and rapper Doja Cat (three nominations), Megan Thee Stallion (four nominations), Taylor Swift (six nominations), and Beyoncé (nine nominations) were granted their expected nominations and celebrated on social media with congratulations from friends and fans. However, to the dismay of many, the list of major nominations was void of some of the most influential artists of the year, both living and dead. Social media lit up at the end of November with users on all platforms calling out the Recording Academy for giving Mac Miller and Pop Smoke minuscule nominations and excluding The Weeknd and Juice WRLD from the list completely. 

The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) created After Hours, which went platinum in under six months and broke countless records. His viral song “Blinding Lights” set a new record for most weeks (40 at the moment) in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, and was also the most-streamed song on Spotify this year. Critics and fans were outraged when The Weeknd’s name was nowhere to be seen on the list of nominations. Many could find no reason to not nominate him and later came to the conclusion that the Recording Academy was biased. Tesfaye later reached out on Instagram and Twitter on November 24, saying “[the Academy] owe me, my fans and the industry transparency.” He spoke out again a day later, making it clear that the Grammys had previously started planning a performance with him, saying, “In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited!” Tesfaye was backed by multiple artists and producers, such as Metro Boomin, Daniel Caesar, Elton John, and Kid Cudi in his response to the Recording Academy.

Tesfaye performing live in Hong Kong in 2018. Photo credit: Sal and Co via John Kolbert.

The lack of nominations for the three posthumous works from rappers Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke, and Mac Miller also raised confusion among listeners. Although this year’s Grammy nominations have been questionable, the late Miller had been previously snubbed as well. At the 2019 Grammys, Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy was awarded Rap Album of the Year over Miller’s Swimming. While snubs in the rap category are not rare, many were shocked when Juice and Smoke’s number one albums, Shoot for the Stars Aim For the Moon and Legends Never Die, respectively, were not considered for an award. The projects were two of the highest-selling albums of the year right under After Hours, making them easy nominations in fans’ minds. 

Although listeners have reasons to retaliate against the Grammys, the Academy did nominate a handful of smaller artists who show promise and talent. Critically acclaimed Canadian artist Jacob Collier, sister band HAIM, and indie artist Phoebe Bridgers all have the chance to take home an award in January. Collier and HAIM were both nominated for Album of the Year in the general field, while Bridgers was given nods in four different categories, including Best New Artist. 

The 63rd annual Grammy Award show is set to take place Sunday, January 31 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The show will be hosted by comedian Trevor Noah. Performers and presenters are yet to be announced, but based on the nominations, the setlist could be comprised of artists such as Dua Lipa and Beyoncé.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Photo credit: Américo Toledano.

Featured image credit: Jim Annunziato.