The Weeknd Boycotts The Grammys
The Weeknd shuns the Grammys
Rapper The Weeknd announces that he will be boycotting the Grammys, after he received no nominations for the upcoming 2021 award show. He released his album After Hours in 2020. His most recent album The Highlights came out in February 2021. He has previously won three Grammys, in 2016 and 2018.
“Because of the secret committees I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys,” he told The New York Times.
Much like with the Oscars, there has been a growing criticism of the lack of nominations and wins for people of color.
“If you were like, ‘Do you think the Grammys are racist?’ I think the only real answer is that in the last 61 years of the Grammys, only 10 Black artists have won album of the year. I don’t want to make this about me. That’s just a fact,” he told Genius in January.
Also in his conversation with Genius, he expressed feeling disappointed that he was snubbed, after expecting to be nominated. He called the Grammys corrupt on Twitter after the nominations list was released.
Beyonce will not perform
Beyonce by Ezra Shaw for Getty Images
Beyonce opted not to perform at the Grammys this year despite being nominated for nine Grammys. She is the most nominated artist for this year’s award show. She has not attended the Grammys since 2018.
Many other artists have skipped out on the award show since the COVID-19 breakout. in 2020, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Adele all decided not to attend.
The 2021 Grammys
Comedian Trevor Noah will be hosting the Grammys. The show will not be played to an audience and many artists prerecorded their performances and will not be performing live. The awards will be presented by personnel from music venues, instead of big celebrities. The award show takes place tonight.