Awon eniyan mi (“My people” for the Non-Yoruba speaking folks in our midst.)
How are you? It’s been a minute. This weekend is all about the Grammy 2016 nominations and in my previous post I mentioned that I would address the snubbed artists this year. So here I am, addressing.
It’s a tough world out there, it really is and whatever one finds to do, one must strive to do it well or die trying (Well not Die Die but you get sha). There are over a million musicians in the world and while they all wish to dominate the airwaves and all, let’s just say that many are called but few are chosen. And among the chosen, during awards’season, some are picked out and recognized specially, while others are left ignored, “SNUBBED”.
This last Grammy nods were no exception, having us wondering whether the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America); the Association responsible for the awards, had select beef with some artists, or were just experiencing partial deafness. Either way, some favorites were left out. Here are some of mine:
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly’s Album Emotion did well on the charts this year, offering such good songs as “Warm Blood” and “I Really Like You” (whose Video features Tom Hanks!!). Sadly the Grammys did not really really like you, Carly (see what I did here). Her work was totally shut out.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey, the Pop Rock Goddess does not need a Grammy to know she is talented, however I don’t think she would refuse any if given. Sadly other people who actually have influence don’t seem to agree with me. “Honeymoon”, her fourth studio album, was totally snubbed as an entity, but they managed to dash her some Side-chick nominations as a featured artist for The Weeknd’s album, almost an insult for this critically acclaimed artist. She continues to have her work shut out by the Grammy people. Sigh! Don’t worry Lana, one day, one day!
One Direction
Well this isn’t a shocker; they haven’t ever been nominated so I’m sure they don’t even bother with the Grammys anymore. But even with their attempts at releasing more grown up songs, the Grammys don’t seem to recognize that the band exists. Their last album as a five-piece, Four didn’t even echo on this year’s list. Don’t mind them Harry! They hate on your long hair. As we can all see, the boys have accepted fate.
Beck
Remember the weird super talented guy who almost made Kanye cry when he won album of the year over Beyonce last year? Yes that Beck.
Well after all the paparazzi of last year, Beck’s summer release “Dreams” that peaked at No. 3 on the U.S. Rock Airplay chart still was not nominated. It’s like these Grammy people have mood swings a lot.
Fetty Wap
Fetty Wap hammered this year, but maybe when they were sharing Best New Artist nods they didn’t remember him.Because the position was given preferably to Meghan Trainor (who was nominated last year as well so isn’t really a new artist abeg). He was consoled though as “Trap Queen” received nods for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. Fetty baby don’t worry, it’s your eye that is intimidating them.
Feeling Myself
It’s like Nicki Minaj did something to these people. As the poster face for female rap right now, it was sad to see her entire The Pinkprint album underwhelm in nominations, most especially the stellar hit “Feeling Myself” featuring Beyonce and its “full of Slayage” video. This is a repeat of the VMAs in August, which Nicki complained about on Twitter at the time. The video and song deserved more credit. But by now they probably both don’t care. They just want to eat.
Next year this same thing is bound to happen, good artists will inadvertently be left out of nominations for one reason or the other. I guess luck too is a factor in these things, after all Drake’s Back to Back, nominated for Best Rap Song was recorded in only 4 days. He doesn’t have two heads.
Some songs though released this year did not come out within the nomination period and were thus not eligible. This includes the songs on Adele’s 25, Justin Bieber’s Purpose and One Direction’s latest album “Made in the A.M”, so don’t worry people, they were not snubbed. Ko ti e possible. Does Somebody want to die.
Which artists did you expect to be nominated that weren’t? Who was snubbed or over-awarded to you?
What do you think of this year’s nominations? Let us know. Sorry, I meant me. Let me know.
Stay cool.
