This afternoon from a livestream in L.A., the Grammy nominations were announced on schedule and along with them a predictably substantial dish of scandal and upset.
After the barrage of bad press surrounding the award show intensified in 2019 after corrupt voting practices were revealed and allegations of rape were made against former Grammy President Neil Portnow and executive Joel Katz, the Recording Academy has been in cleanup mode.
Last May, it was announced that most of the voting process had been overhauled with changed rules, stricter voter conditions, and two new categories.
For example, in an effort to ensure that appropriate creators are voting within their specialized industries, the number of genre-specific field categories in which Grammy voters may participate has been reduced from fifteen to ten. This separates voters such as those who specialize in packaging to direct their votes to the presentation field, while the entire voting body are permitted to vote in the four General Field categories.
After stories broke surrounding the Recording Academy’s selection of nominees regardless of voting structure, academy members and their publicists are no longer allowed to lobby for artists other than themselves through email, social media, or physical mailings.
It’s due time for an institution so characterized by the terrible decisions that they make. David Bowie for instance never won a single Grammy in his 50-year career; Radiohead have just six, half of which were given to packaging.
Still and even with the freshly announced expansion of nominees in major field categories from eight to ten, this looks like the exact same Grammys. Despite the rallies for more Latin presence in major categories in the leadup to previous ceremonies, this year boasts none. Despite Olivia Rodrigo helping revive millennial pop punk, her fanbase likely had her relegated to the pop field, leaving a rock category which should have included her, Lana Del Rey, Angel Olsen, and Japanese Breakfast, without a female voice.
To cap it off the most subversive comedy special in years, Bo Burnham’s Inside, must have confused the panel who were liable to label it more of a musical comedy and thus not in competition with traditional spoken word style recording formats for comedy records. Still, the inclusion of Louis C.K. perhaps in replacement, along with Marilyn Manson who received a songwriting credit on the Rap Song-nominated “Jail” feel like double downs after the Grammys met widespread criticism for their recognition of Dr. Luke, who is widely believed to be the abuser at the subject of Kesha's "Praying." Despite Kesha performing the song at the ceremony in protest, Dr. Luke received three Grammy nominations this year.
Usual Grammy bait John Mayer received nothing for his yacht rocking Sob Rock, nor did Migos for their awesome Culture III.
Drake after dissing the Grammys, before finally submitting CLB tracks for processing, has been shut out of all major categories with “Way 2 Sexy” qualifying as the one choice for rap song. Bruce Springsteen strangely also received no nominations despite multiple appearances on CBS programs in the past quarter and reaching number one with Letter To You. Jon Batiste on the other hand who works for CBS, received seven.
The Grammys are on January 31, 2022 on CBS.
Albums released between September 1 2020 – September 30 2021 that we thought were going to get a nomination, even purely for being Grammy bait.
Madison Beer - Life Support
DJ Khaled - Khaled Khaled
Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails over the Country Club
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon III: The Chosen
Demi Lovato - Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over
Lorde - Solar Power
John Mayer - Sob Rock
Migos - Culture III
Metallica - The Metallica Blacklist
Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed
John Prine - John Prine and Friends Live at Newport Folk 2017
Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You
Various artists - Coming 2 America (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The Weather Station - Ignorance
Weezer - OK Human
ABBA - I Still Have Faith in You
Jon Batiste - Freedom
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon - Peaches
Brandi Carlile - Right on Time
Doja Cat, SZA - Kiss Me More
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
We Are - Jon Batiste
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Justin Bieber - Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat - Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Lil Nas X - Montero
Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
Taylor Swift - Evermore
Kanye West - Donda
Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile - A Beautiful Noise
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
H.E.R. - Fight for You
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Doja Cat, SZA - Kiss Me More
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon - Peaches
Brandi Carlile - Right on Time
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
Justin Bieber - Anyone
Brandi Carlile - Right on Time
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande - Positions
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber, Benny Blanco - Lonely
BTS - Butter
Coldplay - Higher Power
Doja Cat, SZA - Kiss Me More
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Norah Jones - ’Til We Meet Again (Live)
Tori Kelly - A Tori Kelly Christmas
Ledisi - Ledisi Sings Nina
Willie Nelson - That’s Life
Dolly Parton - A Holly Dolly Christmas
Justin Bieber - Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat - Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande - Positions
Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
Afrojack & David Guetta - Hero
Ólafur Arnalds, Bonobo – Loom
James Blake - Before
Bonobo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Heartbreak
Caribou - You Can Do It
Rüfüs du Sol - Alive
Tiësto - the Business
Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal - Double Dealin’
Rachel Eckroth - The Garden
Taylor Eigsti - Tree Falls
Steve Gadd Band - At Blue Note Tokyo
Mark Lettieri - Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2
AC/DC - Shot in the Dark
Black Pumas - Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)
Chris Cornell - Nothing Compares 2 U
Deftones - Ohms
Foo Fighters - Making a Fire
Weezer - All My Favorite Songs
Kings of Leon - The Bandit
Mammoth WVH - Distance
Paul McCartney - Find My Way
Foo Fighters - Waiting on a War
AC/DC - Power Up
Black Pumas - Capitol Cuts - Live From Studio A
Chris Cornell - No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight
Paul McCartney - McCartney III
Fleet Foxes - Shore
Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
Snoh Aalegra - Lost You
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon - Peaches
H.E.R. - Damage
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Jazmine Sullivan - Pick Up Your Feelings
Jon Batiste - I Need You
BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, Kenyon Dixon, Charlie Bereal - Bring It on Home
Leon Bridges, Robert Glasper - Born Again
H.E.R. - Fight for You
Lucky Dave, Yebba - How Much Can a Heart Take
H.E.R. - Damage
SZA - Good Days
Giveon - Heartbreak Anniversary
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Jazmine Sullivan - Pick Up Your Feelings
Eric Bellinger - New Light
Cory Henry - Something to Say
Hiatus Kaiyote - Mood Valiant
Lucky Daye - Table for Two
Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington - Dinner Party: Desert
Masego - Studying Abroad: Extended Stay
Snoh Aalegra - Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
Jon Batiste - We Are
Leon Bridges - Gold-Diggers Sound
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar - Family Ties
Cardi B - Up
J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray – My Life
Drake, Future, Young Thug - Way Too Sexy
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
J. Cole - The Off-Season
Drake - Certified Lover Boy
Nas - King’s Disease II
Tyler, the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost
Kanye West - Donda
J. Cole, Lil Baby - Pride Is the Devil
Doja Cat - Need to Know
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
Tyler, the Creator Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign - WusYaName
Kanye West, The Weekend, Lil Baby - Hurricane
DMX, Jay-Z, Nas - Bath Salts
Saweetie, Doja Cat - best Friend
Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar - Family Ties
Kanye West, Jay-Z - Jail
J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray – My Life
Pablo Alborán - Vértigo
Paula Arenas - Mis Amores
Ricardo Arjona - Hecho A La Antigua
Camilo - Mis Manos
Alex Cuba - Mendó
Selena Gomez - Revelación
Reckless Kelly - American Jackpot / American Girls
Nick Cave, Warren Ellis - Carnage
2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group, the Chairman Crossover Big Band - Pakelang
Matt Berninger - Serpentine Prison
Soul of Ears - Zeta
The Marías - Cinema
Yebba - Dawn
Low - Hey What
Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Pino Palladino, Blake Mills - Notes With Attachments
Jack Antonoff
Rogét Chahayed
Mike Elizondo
Hit-Boy
Ricky Reed
Bo Burnham - Inside
David Byrne - David Byrne’s American Utopia
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter to Los Angeles)
Jimi Hendrix - Music, Money, Madness…Jimi Hendrix in Maui
Various Artists - Summer of Soul
This afternoon from a livestream in L.A., the Grammy nominations were announced on schedule and along with them a predictably substantial dish of scandal and upset.
After the barrage of bad press surrounding the award show intensified in 2019 after corrupt voting practices were revealed and allegations of rape were made against former Grammy President Neil Portnow and executive Joel Katz, the Recording Academy has been in cleanup mode.
Last May, it was announced that most of the voting process had been overhauled with changed rules, stricter voter conditions, and two new categories.
For example, in an effort to ensure that appropriate creators are voting within their specialized industries, the number of genre-specific field categories in which Grammy voters may participate has been reduced from fifteen to ten. This separates voters such as those who specialize in packaging to direct their votes to the presentation field, while the entire voting body are permitted to vote in the four General Field categories.
After stories broke surrounding the Recording Academy’s selection of nominees regardless of voting structure, academy members and their publicists are no longer allowed to lobby for artists other than themselves through email, social media, or physical mailings.
It’s due time for an institution so characterized by the terrible decisions that they make. David Bowie for instance never won a single Grammy in his 50-year career; Radiohead have just six, half of which were given to packaging.
Still and even with the freshly announced expansion of nominees in major field categories from eight to ten, this looks like the exact same Grammys. Despite the rallies for more Latin presence in major categories in the leadup to previous ceremonies, this year boasts none. Despite Olivia Rodrigo helping revive millennial pop punk, her fanbase likely had her relegated to the pop field, leaving a rock category which should have included her, Lana Del Rey, Angel Olsen, and Japanese Breakfast, without a female voice.
To cap it off the most subversive comedy special in years, Bo Burnham’s Inside, must have confused the panel who were liable to label it more of a musical comedy and thus not in competition with traditional spoken word style recording formats for comedy records. Still, the inclusion of Louis C.K. perhaps in replacement, along with Marilyn Manson who received a songwriting credit on the Rap Song-nominated “Jail” feel like double downs after the Grammys met widespread criticism for their recognition of Dr. Luke, who is widely believed to be the abuser at the subject of Kesha's "Praying." Despite Kesha performing the song at the ceremony in protest, Dr. Luke received three Grammy nominations this year.
Usual Grammy bait John Mayer received nothing for his yacht rocking Sob Rock, nor did Migos for their awesome Culture III.
Drake after dissing the Grammys, before finally submitting CLB tracks for processing, has been shut out of all major categories with “Way 2 Sexy” qualifying as the one choice for rap song. Bruce Springsteen strangely also received no nominations despite multiple appearances on CBS programs in the past quarter and reaching number one with Letter To You. Jon Batiste on the other hand who works for CBS, received seven.
The Grammys are on January 31, 2022 on CBS.
Albums released between September 1 2020 – September 30 2021 that we thought were going to get a nomination, even purely for being Grammy bait.
Madison Beer - Life Support
DJ Khaled - Khaled Khaled
Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails over the Country Club
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon III: The Chosen
Demi Lovato - Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over
Lorde - Solar Power
John Mayer - Sob Rock
Migos - Culture III
Metallica - The Metallica Blacklist
Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed
John Prine - John Prine and Friends Live at Newport Folk 2017
Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You
Various artists - Coming 2 America (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The Weather Station - Ignorance
Weezer - OK Human
ABBA - I Still Have Faith in You
Jon Batiste - Freedom
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon - Peaches
Brandi Carlile - Right on Time
Doja Cat, SZA - Kiss Me More
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
We Are - Jon Batiste
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Justin Bieber - Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat - Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Lil Nas X - Montero
Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
Taylor Swift - Evermore
Kanye West - Donda
Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile - A Beautiful Noise
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
H.E.R. - Fight for You
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Doja Cat, SZA - Kiss Me More
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon - Peaches
Brandi Carlile - Right on Time
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
Justin Bieber - Anyone
Brandi Carlile - Right on Time
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande - Positions
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber, Benny Blanco - Lonely
BTS - Butter
Coldplay - Higher Power
Doja Cat, SZA - Kiss Me More
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Norah Jones - ’Til We Meet Again (Live)
Tori Kelly - A Tori Kelly Christmas
Ledisi - Ledisi Sings Nina
Willie Nelson - That’s Life
Dolly Parton - A Holly Dolly Christmas
Justin Bieber - Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat - Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande - Positions
Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
Afrojack & David Guetta - Hero
Ólafur Arnalds, Bonobo – Loom
James Blake - Before
Bonobo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Heartbreak
Caribou - You Can Do It
Rüfüs du Sol - Alive
Tiësto - the Business
Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal - Double Dealin’
Rachel Eckroth - The Garden
Taylor Eigsti - Tree Falls
Steve Gadd Band - At Blue Note Tokyo
Mark Lettieri - Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2
AC/DC - Shot in the Dark
Black Pumas - Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)
Chris Cornell - Nothing Compares 2 U
Deftones - Ohms
Foo Fighters - Making a Fire
Weezer - All My Favorite Songs
Kings of Leon - The Bandit
Mammoth WVH - Distance
Paul McCartney - Find My Way
Foo Fighters - Waiting on a War
AC/DC - Power Up
Black Pumas - Capitol Cuts - Live From Studio A
Chris Cornell - No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight
Paul McCartney - McCartney III
Fleet Foxes - Shore
Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
Snoh Aalegra - Lost You
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon - Peaches
H.E.R. - Damage
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Jazmine Sullivan - Pick Up Your Feelings
Jon Batiste - I Need You
BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, Kenyon Dixon, Charlie Bereal - Bring It on Home
Leon Bridges, Robert Glasper - Born Again
H.E.R. - Fight for You
Lucky Dave, Yebba - How Much Can a Heart Take
H.E.R. - Damage
SZA - Good Days
Giveon - Heartbreak Anniversary
Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Jazmine Sullivan - Pick Up Your Feelings
Eric Bellinger - New Light
Cory Henry - Something to Say
Hiatus Kaiyote - Mood Valiant
Lucky Daye - Table for Two
Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington - Dinner Party: Desert
Masego - Studying Abroad: Extended Stay
Snoh Aalegra - Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
Jon Batiste - We Are
Leon Bridges - Gold-Diggers Sound
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar - Family Ties
Cardi B - Up
J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray – My Life
Drake, Future, Young Thug - Way Too Sexy
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
J. Cole - The Off-Season
Drake - Certified Lover Boy
Nas - King’s Disease II
Tyler, the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost
Kanye West - Donda
J. Cole, Lil Baby - Pride Is the Devil
Doja Cat - Need to Know
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
Tyler, the Creator Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign - WusYaName
Kanye West, The Weekend, Lil Baby - Hurricane
DMX, Jay-Z, Nas - Bath Salts
Saweetie, Doja Cat - best Friend
Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar - Family Ties
Kanye West, Jay-Z - Jail
J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray – My Life
Pablo Alborán - Vértigo
Paula Arenas - Mis Amores
Ricardo Arjona - Hecho A La Antigua
Camilo - Mis Manos
Alex Cuba - Mendó
Selena Gomez - Revelación
Reckless Kelly - American Jackpot / American Girls
Nick Cave, Warren Ellis - Carnage
2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group, the Chairman Crossover Big Band - Pakelang
Matt Berninger - Serpentine Prison
Soul of Ears - Zeta
The Marías - Cinema
Yebba - Dawn
Low - Hey What
Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Pino Palladino, Blake Mills - Notes With Attachments
Jack Antonoff
Rogét Chahayed
Mike Elizondo
Hit-Boy
Ricky Reed
Bo Burnham - Inside
David Byrne - David Byrne’s American Utopia
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter to Los Angeles)
Jimi Hendrix - Music, Money, Madness…Jimi Hendrix in Maui
Various Artists - Summer of Soul