In a move entertainment news journalist, Roger Friedman, described as “a weird turn,” Grammy nominations for Album of the Year were devoid of any white male performers for the first time in 19 years.
The nominations went to mostly R&B and rap performers, including: Jay Z, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino.
Friedman wrote that it was a “shocker” that those artists made the cut, given that their “music is not what is typically thought of for those categories.”
Noticeably absent from the list were Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga.
What’s really ‘weird’ though is the reaction of the mainstream media to the announcement, practically gleeful that all white male artists were snubbed.
The Daily Beast ran an article with a screaming headline which read, “The Grammys Diversity Triumph!” and called it “a long overdue reckoning when it comes to diversity.”
The Grammys seem to have had a long overdue reckoning when it comes to diversity https://t.co/IAJLGk73sT
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) November 28, 2017
Diversity? The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of diversity reads as such:
“the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : variety; especially : the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization.”
That would make the Grammys list the exact opposite of diverse.
Side note – I wonder if they’d be celebrating had the list included somebody like Joy Villa?
Now, don’t get me wrong. It does not matter what race any of these musicians are. If they rate as the best talent in the industry, then they are deserving of recognition. But isn’t it funny that the media refers to exclusion of one group – in this case, white males – as a triumph of diversity.
MY LONGEST YEAH BOI EVER https://t.co/OMAr1iBb95
— bambi (@yungsarah_) November 28, 2017
Sheeran was apparently the most egregious of the snubs, considered a shoo-in for Album of the Year. His album was, as Drudge reports “pushed down a category.”
Friedman writes, “Indeed, all the acts they want on the show– the white pop acts– have been relegated to the Pop Vocal category. That’s Gaga, Sheeran, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Kesha.”
Absolute stunner that Ed Sheeran didn’t get nominated for Record, Song, OR Album of the Year. https://t.co/cVMO9QOQHM
— Patrick Jon Hyzy (@PatrickHyzy) November 28, 2017
Other notable snubs include Harry Styles, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, and Miley Cyrus.
Hopefully one day the Grammys will get to a point where people are celebrating over their music selections based on the artist’s merits and not the race of the nominees.
Do you think the Grammys nominations represent diversity? Do you even care who was nominated? Share your thoughts below!
