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Chris McKay/Getty ImagesThe Recording Academy is often criticized for undervaluing the influence of some artists and their impact on the music industry — and Tuesday’s announcement of the 2021 Grammy nominees was no different.
The announcement brought up a past Grammy issue for Nicki Minaj, who lost Best New Artist to folk group Bon Iver in 2012.
“Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my best new artist award when I had seven songs simultaneously charting on Billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade- went on to inspire a generation,” she tweeted. “They gave it to the white man Bon Iver. #PinkFriday.”
Minaj wasn’t nominated this year in any category and has yet to win a Grammy, though she’s logged 10 career nominations, including Best Rap Album for her 2010 debut, Pink Friday.
Some fans also took issue with the fact that neither Lil Baby and Roddy Ricch were nominated for Best Rap Album. “Bruh who does these Grammy Nominations ain’t no way Lil Baby and Roddy Ricch should be left off Rap Album of the Year,” tweeted one.
Lil Baby was the first artist to go double platinum in 2020 after releasing a deluxe edition of his album, My Turn. With no deluxe version, Roddy’s debut album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial, hit double platinum status earlier this month.
Fans also expressed their disappointment about rapper Wale being snubbed for a nomination, despite releasing two albums in the last year, and his single “On Chill” going double platinum.
One fan wrote: “The Grammys are ridiculous. @Wale had a bomb album NO FREAKING WAY the Grammy people actually care for music. He dropped Wow that’s crazy and The Imperfect Storm PLUS features! AND NO NOMINATION???”
By Rachel George
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