Another year, another Grammys done and dusted – and more than a few upsets which is hardly surprising anymore. Long known for their “issues” with hip-hop and RnB, the Grammys did their best last night to be “down with the kids” but ultimately showed their true colours when they could have finally moved forward in their journey to recognise the genres as the influential styles they are.
It’s no secret that the Grammys have had an issue with hip-hop, but now The Washington Post have shown just how big that issue really is. In light of Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift taking out the top prizes over one of the most influential, inspirational and talked about records of our time, Kendrick Lamar‘s To Pimp A Butterfly, The Washington Post pulled a bunch of statistics to show how deep the problem lies – and it’s not good.
Since the Grammys introduced a rap category in 1989, the only act to win the three major categories (Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year) was Outkast in 2004 for Speakerboxx/The Love Below, representing 1.2% of the winners since 1989. As for total nominations in those categories since hip hop was recognised, rap music only counts for 8.1% of the 421 nominations. A hip-hop artist has also never won the Song of the Year category, which goes to the actual songwriter of the track.
Whilst Kendrick did pick up five awards last night, it is interesting to note that only one of those awards was actually televised – Best Rap Album. The rest were awarded during commercial breaks.
So whilst the Grammys can pretend they’re cool and down with what the kids are playing these days, even going so far as to nominate Drake‘s Meek Mill diss track, Back to Back, the stats – like Shakira‘s hips – do not lie. Thankfully, the hip-hop world doesn’t seem too upset. Having a song turn into a civil rights anthem is probably more validating than a trophy anyway.
For the full report, head here.
Image: XXL