Alex Gaskarth, the Killers and more react to outcry over 2021 Grammy nods
On Tuesday, the nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards were finally announced. Shortly after the unveiling, however, many artists and music lovers flocked to social media to express their opinions on this year’s surprises, triumphs and snubs. Among those sharing their reactions are the Killers and All Time Low‘s Alex Gaskarth.
In a series of tweets, both Gaskarth and the Killers hint at their own Grammys snubs while acknowledging both the historic moments and backlash the nominations have caused.
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The 2021 Grammy Awards nominations have sparked quite the conversation this week. The upcoming awards show is rather historic for women in rock. The 2021 nominations mark the first time the Best Rock Performance category features all-female nominees.
Various artists including Hayley Williams and Halsey expressed their excitement for the historic moment on Twitter. Halsey gave a shout-out to Phoebe Bridgers who is nominated in the category along with a few nods. Meanwhile, Williams addressed not being nominated and why this moment in rock history is much bigger than that.
Although the 2021 Grammys features this historic moment, the nominations list did cause a bit of controversy. The Weeknd, Halsey and Nicki Minaj received no nominations this year while others are upset artists such as BTS and Harry Styles were shut out of the major categories.
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how many times Grammy need to snub Halsey?
#GRAMMYs is just a pure trash?
— EJ ? (@EzTerux) November 25, 2020
What I want is an explanation from the @RecordingAcad as to why @theweeknd wasn’t nominated even ONCE. I legitimately want to see how they justify this egregious snub because I can’t for the life of me make sense of it at all. #GRAMMYs #GRAMMYnoms
— GRAMMY NOMINATED BTS//la push, baby.⁷ᴴ ✰ (@valesantilopezz) November 24, 2020
The Weeknd took to social media to share how he thinks the award show is corrupt. According to TMZ, the Weeknd was given an ultimatum to either perform at the Super Bowl or the Grammys. When he picked the Super Bowl, the award show allegedly shut him out of nominations this year.
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Recording Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr., however, tells Rolling Stone these accusations are false.
“To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd’s performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process,” Mason Jr says. “All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all.”
“The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…”
The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 25, 2020
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According to the Weeknd, he actually had a Grammys performance in the works. However, seeing as he is not nominated, it’s not likely he will perform.
“Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited!”
Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited!
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 25, 2020
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All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth has also reacted to the 2021 Grammy snubs. For him, he is just happy to see all of the nominated artists finally get recognition.
“Lot’s of hot Grammy takes and attention grab attempts from artists not nominated and it makes me wanna say I’m just stoked for all the artists that get to be part of the narrative this year. Lots of women in categories that usually don’t show love. Let’s goooo”
Lot’s of hot Grammy takes and attention grab attempts from artists not nominated and it makes me wanna say I’m just stoked for all the artists that get to be part of the narrative this year. Lots of women in categories that usually don’t show love. Let’s goooo
— Alex Gaskarth (@AlexGaskarth) November 25, 2020
As well, even though All Time Low received no nominations, he’s still hopeful for the future.
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“Doesn’t matter. It’ll be when it’s meant to be. Enjoying the ride.”
Doesn’t matter. It’ll be when it’s meant to be. Enjoying the ride.
— Alex Gaskarth (@AlexGaskarth) November 25, 2020
The Killers decided to channel their inner Donald Trump to express their thoughts on the nominations snubs. Although the tweet is all in good fun, the Killers do make a good point. In the years they have been a band, the Killers have been nominated five times, but have taken home zero awards.
“OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS. WE WON THE GRAMMYS, GOT LOADS OF LEGAL VOTES. BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. DOZENS OF BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM! #RIGGEDGRAMMYS #WEWON”
OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS. WE WON THE GRAMMYS, GOT LOADS OF LEGAL VOTES. BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. DOZENS OF BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM! #RIGGEDGRAMMYS #WEWON
— The Killers (@thekillers) November 25, 2020
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Justin Bieber, who received multiple nominations this year, called out the Grammys this week for a surprising reason. His album Changes is nominated in various pop categories, but he widely consider his album to be R&B.
“Please don’t mistake this as me being ungrateful, these are just my thoughts take em or leave em. Thank you to the people who fought for me to even have any noms.”
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Nicki Minaj is also considered to be a widely snubbed artist at the 2021 Grammys. In fact, she even took to Twitter to remind her followers that she hasn’t really forgotten about losing Best New Artists to Bon Iver eight years ago.
“Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade- went on to inspire a generation. They gave it to the white man Bon Iver. #PinkFriday”
Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade- went on to inspire a generation. They gave it to the white man Bon Iver. #PinkFriday
— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) November 24, 2020
What are your reactions to the 2021 Grammy nominations? Which artists do you think were snubbed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
