The Grammy Nominations: My Thoughts and What these White Award Shows Should Tell You

So the 2021 Grammy nominations just came out a few days ago, and everyone is talking about it. I know I needed a couple days to gather my opinions on the matter, but here they are. I think that, as a Black woman, it's important to acknowledge that two things can be true at once. I'm aware that there is racism ingrained in the Grammys, and there are barriers that keeps talented Black artists from getting through the door while white artists are rewarded for mediocrity. I think it's also important to not let these white award ceremonies undermine the talent of Black artists; just because Black artists may not be receiving the nominations they deserve, doesn't mean they're not super talented. I know that Black artists should not be validated based on white standards of success and talent, because having white people dictate those standards is why Black art is so underestimated, underrepresented, and misunderstood in the first place. With that being said, it's okay to feel happy for your favorite Black artists who were nominated! When Black people get a win, it's okay to celebrate it and to want to see them succeed.

Nevertheless, I know for a fact that it's best not to take these award shows seriously. Especially when you're Black. These white academies will never recognize Black art for the beauty that it is, and I'm totally aware of that. However, I'm not gonna lie: I enjoy talking trash about it because I love mess. I'm never above engaging in gossip and wanting the tea. So what now? Who gone check me??

Anyways, I've compiled a list of all my opinions on the 2021 Grammy nominations, based on all the albums that I recall listening to and enjoying in 2020. I'll be talking about who deserved better, who deserved crumbs, who was snubbed, the whole 9 yards chile. So sit back, grab a snack, and indulge in my hot takes!

Hot Take #1: *Tiffany Pollard voice* "BEY-ONCÉ? BEYONCÉ?" Beyoncé is THAT Girl!

Okay, so this isn't really a hot take, but Miss Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter did not come to PLAY! Think about how this was literally her off year, and she got 9 NOMINATIONS. If that doesn't tell you that she's a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, I don't know what does. She's an icon, she's a legend, and she IS the moment! All she gotta do is BREATHE, and she attracts success! Say what you want about Beyoncé, but you cannot deny that her talent is UNMATCHED.

Black is King was immaculate, she really is such a creative genius. I mean as much as I could go on and on about Beyoncé, imma stop here because I feel like her artistry definitely speaks for itself. If y'all know me, y'all know how I feel about my Queen Bey! And anyone who thinks Beyoncé is overrated, I guess you're entitled to your wrong opinion.

Hot Take #2: Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish are the White Girlies in the Music Industry Who are NOT to be Underestimated!

Now I'm not gonna lie, before I even listened to these girls, I thought they were overhyped by little white girls who treat drinking iced coffee, putting RedBubble sunflower and "good vibes" stickers on their laptop, and carrying a Hydroflask as their personality trait. But when I actually started listening to them both, I was absolutely blown away. So I admit it y'all. Who is the clown? The clown is ME!!

Now let's start with miss Billie Eyelash. The first song (and music video) I had ever heard from her was When the Party's Over. I was amazed, I had CHILLS. The thing about Billie is that she is putting out consistently GOOD music. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? EXCELLENCE IN AN ALBUM. She's already defined herself as an artist, which I think is very hard to do. She's already figured out her look, her sound, her aesthetic, everything she wants to establish her presence at such a young age in the music industry! Her sound is very unique, and she is a very talented artist, let's get that straight. These other lil alternative yt girls ain't doing it like Billie.

Now miss Dula Peep?! Okay, the first song I heard from her album, Future Nostalgia, was actually Break My Heart. AND IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST LISTEN. I think a lot of artists right now are fumbling the bag by not taking advantage of classic instruments, and the way she used those classic instruments to give us an album with contemporary pop/'70s vibes?? PEAK WHITE GIRL EXCELLENCE. She deserved every one of those nominations, miss Dua did what she had to do on that album!

Hot Take #3: Chloe x Halle Deserved WAY More Nominations than They Got

Now let's adress the elephant in the room because I'm gonna say what everyone is thinking:

UNGODLY HOUR SHOULD'VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

You're playing yourself if you don't think that album was NO-SKIP EXCELLENCE. Chloe x Halle aren't just a duo, they are a POWER DUO. The girls aren't DOing IT (pun intended) like Chloe x Halle! To think that they're both such young Black women, and they're already killing the game?! I am absolutely amazed.

I truly hope they win in every category (but even if they don't because we know how these white award shows be, it doesn't take away from their talent). Honestly, even though they said they're happy with 3 nominations, I really feel like they deserved more. They are so creative and talented, and I think that definitely should've been showcased because Ungodly Hour was a pure work of art. Their harmonies are so beautiful and chilling, and you can tell that they put so much time and effort into that album. I'm still mad at Miss Grammy for robbing our girls, but we won anyway because we'll be seeing Miss Halle as Ariel in theaters!

Hot Take #4: Justin Bieber Deserved Crumbs

Alright... let's get into this then. For him to get FOUR nominations was.. shocking. Especially with that disaster of a single he put out.. we all know which one I'm talking about. I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like he wasn't out here BEGGING for streams this year. He really still came 2nd in the charts to Roddy Ricch for The Box (which was a MOMENT, might I add!). Also, his little rant on Instagram didn't really sit right with me at all. It basically just screamed entitlement. Here is what he said:

To post this when there is Black artists who are either forcibly put into the R&B category—even if it's not the music they make—just because they're Black, or to not even be nominated at all.. it's just a very out-of-touch thing to say and it really says a lot about his privilege as a white male artist. Thinking your album fits in the R&B category because it features Black artists and has "hip hop drums" sounds like very coded language. There's a lot of racism ingrained in these ceremonies, so to get four nominations for white mediocrity—when very talented Black artists are considered lucky to get less or even get nothing at all—and complain about the category you're nominated in is just... not it.

Hot Take #5: Megan Thee Stallion Deserves EVERYTHING 2021 Has to Offer Her

Now miss Megan Pete did NOT come to play this year! She literally had HIT AFTER HIT playing on everyone's stereo. She has come so far in such a short amount of time, and I'm so excited for her! She really got 4 nominations! Look at her go!

Honestly, I think she should have best new artist in the bag. She has been so influential over the past 2 years, and no one can deny the influence that she's had on pop culture, rap culture, and Black culture! The way everyone was saying "hot girl summer" and "real hot girl s***" because she had coined those phrases? The way everyone was learning the Savage dance on Tik Tok? The way everyone was quoting lyrics from WAP for a good while, and they still are?! We know Black culture is the blueprint, but MEGAN was really the trendsetter this year! She deserves her flowers, and all the blessings coming her way! I'll definitely be rooting for her in every category!

Now.. let's get into the SNUBS.

I have to let y'all know I'm just starting this new branching-out-into-new-music thing. I may be musically sheltered cause I swear I would listen to like the same 8 songs, so just bear with me. Chances are I won't get into all the snubs even though I'm positive there are more, I probably just haven't been introduced to their music yet. So, without further ado, let's discuss who was robbed.

Snub #1: The Weeknd for After Hours

Now I'm going to be honest, I don't really listen to The Weeknd that much. Nothing against him, I just never really happened to listen to his albums like that, but I definitely want a chance to fully listen to his music. However, I can't deny that his album did VERY well this year. The fact that Blinding Lights was in the Billboard's top 10 for WEEKS and the album was at number one?! He had EVERY right to call out the Grammys because he did not tell ONE LIE. I know impact when I see it, and he was definitely robbed by these white academies, there's no denying that.

Snub #2: Victoria Monét for Jaguar

Okay, now this one I can definitely speak on because this album was pure EXCELLENCE. Victoria Monét definitely put her all into this album, and it SICKENS me that it did not get the recognition it deserved. Not only was this an album with great songs, it was a NO SKIP album. The first time I listened to it, I already liked a lot of the songs right away, which to me is VERY impressive. It's a very sensual album, and she's very lyrically and sonically inclined when it comes to making music.

Can we talk about the songs though? Moment? Dive? We Might Even Be Falling in Love? Jaguar? The whole album in itself is an EXPERIENCE (another pun intended), and she really did an amazing job. If you get a chance, stream Jaguar because it's an AMAZING album that really deserved so much better than it got!!

Snub #3: Rina Sawayama for SAWAYAMA

Now when I heard that miss Rina got paid DUST for this album, I was absolutely SHOCKED. I really liked this album, and I can tell she really put her all into it because it had some bops! Her sound in a lot of the songs was very different, but the album was very cohesive and it flowed well together. I mean, XS? Love Me 4 Me? Bad Friend? Tokyo Love Hotel? Chosen Family?

EXCELLENCE!

I was definitely shocked to see that she got no nominations whatsoever, when she really deserved so much better. These white judges have no taste and they sicken me.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, I think disappointment with these white award shows is inevitable. I know there have been so many amazing artists who deserved much more than they got from the Grammys in the past. The fact that Nicki Minaj was basically a pioneer for women rappers and she's one of the best in the game, and she was basically BLACKBALLED for pointing out that she didn't get the recognition she deserved was very disappointing. Rihanna rightfully being nominated for 8 Grammys for ANTI, but receiving nothing is disgusting. Mariah Carey herself said she no longer tunes into the Grammys because they're boring and don't always give artists the recognition they deserve, considering one year she was nominated for 6 Grammys and got nothing.

This should tell us, again, that white standards of talent have no place in measuring the beauty and versatility of Black art and music. This is why it's so important for Black artists to have their own safe spaces to create music and be recognized for the talents they are. Black excellence always gets half the credit that white mediocrity gets, and that will never sit right with me. But we move, and we keep uplifting and supporting Black artists so they get the flowers they deserve.

Although I know I will probably watch the Grammys, I will take it with a grain of salt because it clearly is no measure of talent. I'll celebrate the wins of Black artists for sure, but I'll still be turning up to Ungodly Hour, Future Nostalgia, and Jaguar regardless of who wins or loses.