Editorial: #GrammysSoMale

This year’s Grammy Awards left viewers with images of white roses on the red carpet, echoes of powerful statements from the Time’s Up movement and feelings of empowerment as a celebration of women and diversity in the music industry. 

But less than 20 percent of awards went to women or female-fronted groups, none went to openly LGBTQ+ artists and while many went to Black artists, they were in restrictive, stereotypical genres such as rap or urban contemporary. 

Here’s our breakdown of the shortcomings of the 2018 Grammys. 

1. SZA was robbed. 

We say this with the same teary-eyed chagrin of Adele during her acceptance speech after she beat Beyonce’s “Lemonade” for album of the year in 2017. 

SZA and Beyonce’s nominated albums spoke authentically to the Black female experience, and neither were rewarded. 

Last Sunday, SZA, the most nominated woman of the year, was up for five Grammys and took home a heartbreaking zero.

2. Bruno Mars

Bruno took home six Grammys. While deserving of at least one award, his dominance of the evening, combined with his pointed apolitical remarks, made the most celebrated message of the evening “joy” which overshadowed many women’s sentiments of dissatisfaction.

3. Album of the Year  

Lorde was the only woman nominated in this category, and you’ll never guess who she lost to (spoiler, it was Bruno Mars). 

4. Best R&B Performance

The nominees in this category were Bruno Mars (winner), SZA, Kehlani, Ledisi and Daniel Caesar ft. Kali Uchis. This was a tragically missed opportunity to make a statement. Mars really didn’t need another Grammy, and for this one he bested three Black women; two of whom are LGBTQ+ and proudly produce queer music. 

5. Best Pop Solo Performance

Four women were nominated, but ironically the lone male nominee took home the trophy. 

Earlier in the evening, Kesha performed her nominated single “Praying” with a powerful “Time's Up” introduction speech by Janelle Monae. “Praying” is Kesha’s coming-out anthem of survival after her alleged sexual assault at the hands of producer Dr. Luke. 

On the other hand, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” was awarded for lyrics about his experience objectifying a woman at a club.

6. Lack of LGBTQ+ representation

The ceremony featured performances by openly queer artists like Sam Smith, Lady Gaga and others. When it came to awards, however, LGBTQ+ artists were simply not recognized. 

Overall, the 60th Grammy Awards were a beautiful display of resistance by women and other underrepresented communities, which is arguably more impactful than any number of trophies. 

However, it is important to recognize that as a society we place an incredible amount of value in awards, and similarly in meeting sentiments with tangible benefits.  

Recently university leadership and government officials have put on many performances of support regarding diversity and prevention of sexual assault. But we must ask ourselves if the banners, emails and ads will lead to action, or if they’re just trying to put on a good show.