The Grammys, much like any other award show, unsurprisingly sparked controversy this year. The Grammys is what many refer to as music's biggest night. And rightfully so. Artists from Tony Bennett to Adele and even U2 have scored this prestigious award. The Grammys are a source of great entertainment for audiences and great recognition for those lucky enough to win the honor.
The Grammys are not just about entertainment anymore. They make way for new artists to be recognized with their category of "Best New Artist." This year the category boasted artists, SZA, Lil Uzzi Vert, Julia Michaels, Khalid and winner, Alessia Cara. They also take on political and societal issues that often drum up strong feelings from both ends of the political spectrum. When Alessia Cara won the Grammy, there was a small uproar in my residential community.
Specifically, people thought that SZA was deserving of the win. Alessia issued a statement on Instagram noting that she had no control over the who won. But when Alessia won, she did something that stood out to me. She recognized the need for the depoliticalization of the music industry. She said that every musician deserves a shot, that it should not be about some of the things the music industry uses to increase musician popularity. She is a living example of a changemaker.
She sings about self-love, yes, but she also practices what she preaches. If you look back at her performances or red carpet appearances, it is evident that her relaxed style is not only to change the culture surrounding the expectation that women need glam and makeup to feel confident. It is clear that this is empowering for her. The overall lesson is perhaps, best outlined in an excerpt from her Instagram statement. "What I've created is worth something."
Another issue this year, at least in my residence hall, was the fact that Ed Sheeran beat out Kesha's "Praying" as well as Lady Gaga's "Million Reasons" for Best Pop Solo Performance. Ed's "Shape of You" is no doubt, a catchy tune. But what is the message behind it? What comes off as an objective song about a woman's body may have a deeper meaning that is not clear. There has been some debate about how Ed's win emphasizes society's lack of caring surrounding women's rights and sexual violence. While Kesha went through major obstacles the last couple years, her song "Praying" became an anthem of forgiveness and power.
Other artists like Logic ft. Alessia Cara and Khalid, Lady Gaga, Pink and U2 performed songs with a clear message. Whether it is suicide prevention, honoring loved ones, accessibility of music or immigration, each of these artists used their platform to bring attention to important issues. So, if the Grammys have become a place where artists can come to influence society, why do songs without messages continuously win?How do you determine who gets the Grammy, talent, a difficult path, a changemaker, or a good beat? These questions will perhaps never be answered.
