By Rachell Carbajal
Previously, on November 23, 2021, the Recording Academy released its long-awaited list of nominations for the 64th Grammy Awards on January 31, 2022. Unfortunately, the whole event was postponed until April 3, 2022. Though we can’t take a look at this year’s snubs, we can take a look at a couple of what I argue, are the biggest snubs in Grammy’s history.
The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” over two Michael Jackson songs (1984): The king of pop, Michael Jackson, was nominated for two of his most popular songs, if not his most played, “Beat It” and “Billie Jean.” People were sure that Michael would easily sweep this award, over “Every Breath You Take” but that was not the case; Police took this award. Although three of these tracks were in constant rotation, Michael Jackson deserved this award for the two most remarkable songs in music history.
Justin Bieber Not Getting Best New Artist (2011): During 2011, Justin Bieber was the conversation at every family dinner and the heartthrob to every teenager at the time. Hitting high records and a boom within the music market, Justin did not receive the best new artist award. Along with another big sensation, Drake was entering the music industry and created quite the discussion along with Justin during 2011, but these two talented new artists at the time weren’t enough to receive this award, instead, Esperanza Spalding took this award home, which I cannot seem to rationalize.
Frank Ocean Getting Snubbed Twice (2013): Frank Ocean came into the music industry in 2013; his album, Channel Orange is known as a perfect album, with diverse vocals, melodies, production, etc. He was a voice that the industry had never heard before. Frank was nominated twice for two different categories: Best New Artist and Album Of the Year. Many argued over if Frank Ocean’s debut album was a timeless and everlasting album that could have the title of being the album of the year. Coming back to this snub, they realize how timeless and always fresh Channel Orange truly was. But the Grammys didn’t have that in mind, giving the Best New Artist award to Fun and Album Of The Year to Mumford & Sons’ album, Babel.
Taylor Swift’s 1989 Over Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly (2016): It is undeniable that Taylor Swift has great lyrics, production, music videos, tracks, and everything else. Taylor Swift’s 1989 was a fun and joyful album that many people adored. Kendrick Lamar, a lyricist, composer, and producer, came out with To Pimp a Butterfly, a hip-hop and rap album that is one of the most influential albums of all time, rated number 16 on Rolling Stones list of the greatest albums of all time. Eventually, Kendrick lost to Taylor Swift, but it won’t ever take the value and influence “To Pimp a Butterfly” has in the music industry.
Adele’s 25 Over Beyonce’s Lemonade (2017): Lastly, the biggest snub in Grammy history, this moment replayed many times and even left an iconic moment by Adele herself. The category that these two albums were in was Album Of the Year. These two iconic albums were very worthy of receiving this award, but when 25 was competing with Lemonade, it was so clear how much Lemonade deserved the award. At the end of the day, when the host announced that Adele’s 25 won, Adele had many emotions that she wanted to pour out into her speech. Walking up to the stage, Adele expressed in tears, “I can’t possibly accept this award,” she pointed to Beyonce, exclaiming how much influence and meaning this album had to black women. She further said, “The Lemonade album was so monumental and so well thought out and so beautiful and soul-baring. We all got to see another side to you we don’t always see. You are our light.” Beyonce with watery eyes thanked Adele for her courage and gratitude towards her and her speech.