Warning: Mentions of sexual misconduct and sexual harrassment
After a few delays, the 2022’s 64th Grammy Awards Show, considered the biggest award for music artists, will air April 3 this year. This date change comes after a delay due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the United States. The nominations were released this past November. Looking at the nominations prior to the show poses some questions, though. There are concerns over artists nominated who should not be and artists missing altogether. So the usual question arises: Why do the Grammys even matter?
The leading contender right now is Jon Batiste, who racked up 11 nominations in categories such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best R&B Album. He is followed by Doja Cat, Justin Bieber and H.E.R., who received eight nominations each, as well as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, who received seven each.
Of the “Big Four” categories (Record, Album, Song and New Artist), the most anticipated nomination is Rodrigo, who was nominated for all four. After her release of “Sour” and its record-breaking global debut, many expect the first-time nominee will not go home empty-handed.
Eilish, Silk Sonic, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X and Brandi Carlile are a few of the other artists nominated in the Big Four categories. Kanye West and Taylor Swift were also nominated for Album of the Year, these two nominees being a last-minute addition since the category typically only consists of eight nominees. This is an interesting decision considering the past conflicts between Swift and Kanye, and will make for a dramatic watch.
However, according to Harvey Mason Jr, chief executive of the Recording Academy, the decision to expand the categories to 10 was made just 24 hours before the nominations were released according to The New York Times.
Other nominees who benefited from this were ABBA, who received their first-ever nomination with “I Still Have Faith In You” for Record of the Year. Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” was also added to the Record of the Year category.
As per every year of nominations released, many fans quickly argued over certain artists who were not nominated. The largest concern this year was centered around BTS, who received only one nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Others were surprised Kacey Musgraves was not eligible for Best Country Album, but did receive nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for her song “camera roll.”
The voting rules were also changed for this year’s show. In past years, there would be 15 to 30 music experts representing each genre. These voting members could only vote for their genre. As of this year, however, there is a majority vote with Academy voting members.
These voting members must go through a “requalification process” in order to make sure they are eligible. Also, they now can only vote in 10 specific genres, while originally they used to vote in 15.
The award show is also being produced with an inclusion rider to assist in including more underrepresented groups in the voters.
Among other drama with the Grammy’s, Drake has decided to withdraw his nominations in the Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance. The reasons for the withdrawal are unclear as of right now, but the Grammy’s are planning to stick with just the other four nominees in the category instead of adding a new fifth nominee.
There should also be concern with the Grammy’s nomination of Louis C.K. in the Best Comedy Album category. C.K. was accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct back in 2017, and the special was his first comedy performance since then. It seems surprising that he would be nominated for his special, in which he jokes about his sexual misconduct.
Other unsettling nominations are Marilyn Manson, who was nominated for his work with “Donda,” Kanye West’s most recent album. Manson was accused of sexual harrassment by several women this past year. Dave Chappelle was also nominated for Best Spoken Album, despite the controversy surrounding his transphobic and homophobic comments in his most recent Netflix special.
The Grammy’s have had similar problems in the past with Dr. Luke, who was nominated last year for the record “Say So” despite allegations of abuse from the artist Kesha. With all these nominations, it is concerning to see such a notorious award show care so little about all of these allegations and issues.
Considering these nominations and the drama surrounding many of the snubbed nominations, the Grammy’s this year will certainly be interesting to watch. Edited by Shannon Worley | sworley@themaneater.com
