In a year of absolute unpredictability, award shows are not what they used to be: the once buzzing ballrooms, crowded with glamorous, elite celebrities, appear nearly empty as the shows are conducted almost entirely virtually. The 2021 Grammy Awards, held just last Sunday, is not an exception: while a small number of A-list music stars occupied the audience (socially distanced, of course), the awards show mostly took place online. From Harry Styles’ black leather suit and feather boa to Beyoncé making history with her twenty-eighth Grammy, the show undoubtedly had its highlights. The event managed to run efficiently and was widely deemed a success amid a pandemic; however, the night had its fair share of controversy, as these large-scale events often do.
Prior to the show, the Canadian pop star, the Weeknd, a prominent and successful figure in the music industry, announced his plan to boycott the awards after a shocking discovery: his critically acclaimed hit, “Blinding Lights”, would not receive a nomination. This decision was met with confusion and anger; the public wondered why such a popular and lucrative song would be so blatantly snubbed. The “Blinding Lights” singer shared his own theory, accusing the “secret committees” -- anonymous expert committees that essentially have the final say when establishing nominations -- of bias and prejudice against artists of color.
Discrimination towards artists of color in the top award categories has become a recurring theme of the Grammys in recent years. It has become increasingly evident that white artists tend to win the most prestigious awards, hinting that the event could intentionally favor white artists over artists of color. It has been thirteen years since a Black artist took home the award for best album; Herbie Hancock, a renowned pianist, was the last Black artist to win the award in 2008.
While definitely not perfect (apparent with the exclusion of “Blinding Lights from the nominations), the sixty-third annual Grammys has demonstrated, however, that the organization is taking steps towards a more inclusive awards show. Mickey Guyton became the first Black female solo country singer to perform at the Grammys as she showcased her song “Black Like Me”, a ballad exhibiting the prevalent racism existing within the country. Beyoncé’s song “Black Parade”, a celebration of Black culture and heritage, won the award for Best R&B Performance. H.E.R received the award for song of the year with “I Can’t Breathe”, a protest song in response to the brutal murder of George Floyd. These victories indicate that change is occurring; Black voices are finally acquiring the recognition they rightfully deserve.
While it does appear that the Grammys have made sizable efforts to diversify the organization and the nominees this year, there is still substantial ground to cover before finally achieving an equal environment. As such an eminent event, the Grammys has a responsibility to ensure that their nominees and winners reflect a diverse and unprejudiced society. Music is a vital and influential aspect of our lives; it has the power to tell stories and emotions through beautiful melodies. Voices of all backgrounds must not just be heard, but also acknowledged and applauded.
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