The Grammys claim to be the biggest night in music, but how can they be the biggest night in music when they’re only celebrating artists that have succeeded in the United States? And it seems like fans and artists alike are starting to catch on to the fact that the Grammys may not be the end-all to be all like they always thought. So, how and why do the Grammys still matter?
This week we’re joined by pop journalist extraordinaire, Larisha Paul, to discuss how the Grammys came to be, and how they started to lose their sparkle. From artists like The Weeknd refusing to take part in the awards, to hugely influential acts like One Direction and The Spice Girls never getting nominated in the first place, the Recording Academy has taken its fair share of missteps.
Join us for this in-depth look into this incredibly flawed system whose cultural relevance is waning.
If you want to check out Larisha’s work you can do so here or follow her on Twitter or Instagram!
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If you enjoyed this episode of Name 3 Songs we’re sure you’ll enjoy these episode as well! The Gamification of Music: History of the Billboard Charts (with Bryan Rolli) & The Music Industry’s Problem with Women in Rock (with She Will Rock You podcast)
Want to talk more? Find us: @name3songs | @sara_feigin | @jenna_million
Sources for Do the Grammys Still Matter?
GRAMMY Awards History and Fun Facts
Grammys drop ‘urban’ from major award category (BBC, June 2020)
Grammys Ready Pandemic Show, as the Weeknd Boycotts Future Awards (New York Times, Ben Sisario, March 2021)
What You Need to Know About the Grammys Controversy (Harper’s Bazaar, Bianca Betancourt and Erica Gonzales, Jan 2020)
Most controversial Grammy wins—and how they’ve aged (Stacker, Leah Pace, 2021)
Grammys So Male? ‘Women Need to Step Up,’ Says Recording Academy President (Variety, Michele Amabile Angermiller, 2018)
Grammys President Faces Backlash After Saying Women Need to ‘Step Up’ (New York Times, Joe Coscarelli, 2018)
In tokenising BTS, the Grammys were not only crude but cruel – it needs the K-pop kings more than they need awards (South China Morning Post, Tamar Herman, March 2021)
Why the Grammys Will Never Represent Real Music (MIC, Tom Barnes, 2015)
Grammys Drop Anonymous Nominating Committees After Backlash (New York Times, Ben Sisario, May 2021)
Can the Grammys Be Trusted? (New York Times, Jon Caramanica, 2020)
20 popular artists who have surprisingly never won a Grammy (Insider, Yvette Manes, November 2021)
The Greatest Grammys Snubs of All Time (Vulture, 2020)
Grammys Snubs and Surprises: Kacey Musgraves, Jon Batiste and Abba (New York Times, Jon Caramanica, Joe Coscarelli and Jon Pareles, 2021)
Drake Grammy Speech (CNN, 2019)
Megan thee Stallion sweeping the grammys & also graduating this year