Nominations for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards have been announced and the spotlight is on new artists.
This year, Lizzo earned the most nominations, being entered in 8 categories including Best New Artist, Album of the Year for “Cus I Love You,” and Song of the Year, “Truth Hurts.”
The Academy seemed to overlooked the fact “Truth Hurts” was first released as a stand-alone single in 2017 since it was released on a minor record label and didn’t gain mainstream popularity until this year. The Academy has also bent the rules by nominating Lizzo for Best New Artist, as she’s released three albums and two EP’s before this year that technically disqualify her to be considered as a “new artist.”
I think the right decision was made, as Lizzo and her work didn’t achieve the full potential of their impact until this year. As the singer and flautist says in her song “Juice,” it’s not her fault she’s out here making news.
Joining Lizzo in the best new artist category are Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X. They may not be old enough to drink, but they sure are old enough to receive 6 Grammy nominations.
Billie Eilish is also nominated for album of the year for “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” and for record and song of the year, “Bad Guy.” At just 17, Billie Eilish is the youngest person in Grammy Awards history to be nominated in all four major categories.
Just a few years older than Eilish at 20, Lil Nas X is making Grammy history as well as the first openly gay rapper nominated. I have to say though, I’m a little surprised Lil Nas X received as many nominations as he did. His country-rap hybrid of a novelty song “Old Town Road” made history, comfortably sitting at number one on the Billboard singles chart for 19 consecutive weeks. It makes sense “Old Town Road” was nominated, but it is interesting that his 8-song EP, “7,” was nominated for album of the year as well. The rapper has many a viral tweet, but I hadn’t even heard the title of his EP until nominations were released. “Old Town Road” was as much of a cultural sensation as it was a meme; however, the academy has chosen to acknowledge Lil Nas as the serious artist he is. Even if people treat his music trivially, artists can all learn a lesson in music marketing from the rapper.
The fact that the most recognized artists are all first-time nominees is a step in a progressive direction and more reflective of the pop industry. The Grammys were heavily criticized after the 2018 award show when only one woman, Alessia Cara, received an award during the televised portion of the ceremony. Responding to outrage over a lack of female representation, former Recording Academy president Neil Portnow encouraged women “to step up because [he thinks] they would be welcome.”
Deborah Dugan took his advice to heart and is now the new president and CEO of the academy this year, replacing Portnow. Additionally, the Recording Academy announced they would send out 900 invitations for new members to join the voting body, with an emphasis on women, people of color and people under the age of 39. I’m really looking forward to see how these new voters will affect the winners of the highly anticipated night.
Accompanying these new artists in celebrating Grammy nominations are long-time favorites such as Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé, even though she didn’t release a new studio album this year. At first I was confused when I read this, but I learned the singer was nominated for music within “Lion King” and her self-directed film “Homecoming.” To be honest, I didn’t even need an explanation. If the academy wants to nominate Beyoncé just for being Beyoncé, I think we would all understand.
The Grammy Awards will air on January 26, 2020 at 7 p.m. CST, so you’ll have plenty of time to volunteer your friend with cable to have a watch party.
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