Beyonce and the Grammys: a Tense Relationship Again at a Head

New York: Beyonce is the most decorated artist in Grammys history, and her album releases have both triggered cultural earthquakes and reshaped music industry norms.

Snubbed Again

For all her trailblazing accomplishments, Beyonce has never won the prestigious prizes for best album or record. Once again on Sunday, she will head to the Grammys gala with the most chances to win, after “Cowboy Carter” – her genre-spanning, sociopolitically charged conversation piece of an album – dropped last spring to critical acclaim.

Consistent Pattern

This is her fifth nomination for Album of the Year: in years past, she has lost to Taylor Swift, Beck, Adele, and, most recently, Harry Styles. As for Record of the Year, this is her ninth shot at a golden gramophone. And in a glaringly consistent pattern, nearly all of Beyonce’s losses have been to white pop and rock artists.

A Professor’s Analysis

“If she wins the Album of the Year category for ‘Cowboy Carter,’ it would be – for me, personally – similar to when Barack Obama won the presidency,” said Birgitta Johnson, a professor of African American studies and music history at the University of South Carolina.

Fault Lines

For Johnson, Grammy voters tend to dismiss collaborative projects, which is Beyonce’s bread and butter: the megastar showcases Black music and traditions while elevating fellow artists. Musicologist Lauron Kehrer seconded that point, citing Beyonce’s 2015 loss to Beck for Album of the Year; the chatter afterwards was that while Beyonce worked with a team, Beck put the album together himself.

Values Aligned with White-Dominated Genres

Voter “values have been more aligned with white-dominated genres like rock and alternative,” said Kehrer. “When we look at pop and R&B and other genres, they take a more collaborative approach – but that approach to collaboration hasn’t really been valued by Grammy voters.”

A Changing Industry

And though the Grammys have increased the number of contenders in the top categories – it used to be five, was bumped to 10, and is currently eight – in a bid to promote diversity, the change has actually meant votes are split to a degree that people of color and less conventional artists still rarely win.

A Global Icon

Beyonce’s work is difficult to define – beyond the top categories, her 11 Grammy nominations this year span Americana, country, pop, and rap. She has previously scooped awards for dance and electronic music.

A Litmus Test

Beyonce’s touch is vital to the gala “so they can seem not only relevant, but as inclusive as they claim they have been trying to be,” Johnson said. Her win would be a testament to her impact on the music industry.

No ‘One-Trick Pony’

Beyonce refuses to be a one-trick pony,” Kehrer said. “It does feel like ‘Cowboy Carter’ especially was a project to show, among other things, that she’s a versatile artist who can’t be pigeon-holed, and to kind of force institutions in the industry to pay attention to that.”

A New Vision

Beyonce’s vision trickles down to the artists who routinely win the big prizes, Johnson said, pointing to Grammys darling Billie Eilish as an example of how younger generations take inspiration from Beyonce to work across genres.

Conclusion

In the end, the Grammys need Beyonce a whole lot more than she needs the Grammys. Her presence is vital to the gala, and her music is a testament to the importance of representation and diversity in the music industry.

FAQs

Q: Why has Beyonce never won the Album of the Year prize?

A: Despite being one of the most decorated artists in Grammys history, Beyonce has never won the Album of the Year prize. This could be due to the fact that Grammy voters tend to dismiss collaborative projects, which is Beyonce’s bread and butter.

Q: Why do you think Beyonce has been snubbed so conspicuously?

A: According to Professor Johnson, Grammy voters tend to value individual artists who have worked on an album themselves, rather than those who have collaborated with a team. This is reflected in her 2015 loss to Beck for Album of the Year.

Q: What impact does Beyonce’s music have on the music industry?

A: Beyonce’s music has the power to inspire and influence other artists. Her ability to work across genres and collaborate with fellow artists has shown that music is a global and diverse entity.