The Grammys are only giving tributes to white artists: #GrammysSoWhite?

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For a month now, we’ve been consumed with #OscarsSoWhite conversations. I believe we’re the better for it – while the stories and interviews around #OscarsSoWhite are often infuriating and sad, the conversation is substantive and I genuinely believe awareness has been raised and some substantive changes have happened and will continue to happen. But here’s a question: should we also talk about #GrammysSoWhite? While the Grammys have had racial issues in the past – like, not announcing R&B and rap awards in prime time, or giving an award to Macklemore instead of Kendrick Lamar – I honestly thought that the Grammys were on pretty solid footing this year. The top nominated artists this year include The Weeknd, Kendrick, Alabama Shakes, Drake and John Legend. Sure, Taylor Swift is going to win a lot of Grammys, but the awards will probably be spread out nicely. But two stories have been circulating and now people are wondering: why are the #GrammysSoWhite?

The first story is that Taylor Swift is going to be the opening performance. Which I sort of expected anyway, considering 1989 was her biggest album, she’s gotten a ton of press over the past year, and honestly, people will be tuning in to see her. But Page Six claimed there was a kerfuffle because the Grammy producers might have given Taylor the opening number after they had already promised it to Lin-Manuel Miranda and the (multi-racial) cast of Broadway smash musical Hamilton. Initially, both Miranda and the Grammy executive producer confirmed that Hamilton would be opening. Then two Sundays ago, Taylor was announced as the opener. And now Grammy producers are saying no, Hamilton was never going to open. Sure. That’s why Miranda literally said they were going to open.

The second story? Apparently, the only tributes at this year’s Grammys will be for the white artists who passed away in the past year.

Could the Grammy Awards have their own race problem? The show is coming under huge pressure to diversify its all-white tribute lineup and honor the late Maurice White. During Monday’s telecast, Lady Gaga will perform an eight-minute David Bowie tribute, Jackson Browne will honor Glenn Frey and Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp are expected to perform a tribute for Lemmy from Motörhead.

But industry insiders are griping that White, of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, and Natalie Cole have been banished to a video tribute package with others who died in the past year.

“Over the last week or so, since Maurice White passed away, there has been back and forth with the producers and the academy about some kind of representation of him during the show. The tributes they’ve confirmed are all white. As of yesterday, there was no tribute at all for Maurice because Grammy producers said they didn’t have time,” one insider told us.

Meanwhile, another source close to the Grammys said they’re still trying to figure out how to add more diversity to the lineup.

“Maurice White and the group he founded had unprecedented impact on pop culture. After a lot of pressure, producers are trying to figure out how to properly pay tribute to him. It’s still in limbo,” said the insider.

To make matters worse, Run-DMC will receive a lifetime achievement award — but it won’t be televised. “People are afraid to speak on it because it’s the Grammys. But there’s a history of them not acknowledging black artists,” the first source added.

Even though rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the Grammy nominations with 11 nods, the show still faces accusations of not doing a good enough job of honoring artists of color. Billboard recently reported in a “Confessions of a Grammy Voter” piece, “The voting bloc is still too white, too old and too male . . . the voters are becoming more diverse in terms of minorities, females and younger ages — but there’s still a long way to go.”

[From Page Six]

I’ll admit, I haven’t been looking forward to the Grammys tonight at all. The Grammys are usually my least favorite awards show during the awards-show-season though. The fashion is almost always a parade of awful, and for every great live performance, there are like two awful or boring performances. This year just seems like it’s going to be particularly bad, and yes, the Grammys need to do more to honor the black artists who passed away. I mean, they’re not going to put Run-DMC on prime time? What the sh-t? #GrammysSoWhite

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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72 Responses to “The Grammys are only giving tributes to white artists: #GrammysSoWhite?”

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  1. Locke Lamora says:

    The Grammy’s are my least favourite award show too.
    I’d much rather see something from Hamilton than Taylor. I have only seen clips on youtube and it looks amazing. What are the chances of it coming to Europe, considering it’s such an American story? Because I’d really like to see it some day. Also, judging by his interviews, Miranda seems like such a lovely guy.

    I can’t believe they won’t televise Run DMC getting their award, or that they “forgot” certain artist of colour. How are these people so unaware?

    • INeedANap says:

      Especially bc OMG we’ve ALL seen Swifty perform at this point. She had a ton of tour dates that went viral because of her friend collection. Whereas I would cut off my left arm to see Hamilton. *siiiigh*

      • Shambles says:

        Right?

        Taylor swift is performing at an awards show, you say? That’s about as new and exciting as toast. Actually, toast is more exciting. You can put apple butter on toast.

        But T Swifty aside, I’m just so astounded by the fact that it seems like certain aspects of pop culture have jumped back 5 decades. Do they know that most of the music we enjoy today wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the soul of artists of color?

    • Petee says:

      To tell you the truth I am more shocked there is a tribute to Lemmy.There is actually rock on a awards show?It’s about time.

    • mia girl says:

      Locke Lamora – Hamilton is truly a game changing piece of musical theater and I do feel it can play outside of the US. It was so, so good.

      My daughter waited stage door and met Miranda. He was genuinely nice to all the fans. He is her creative idol so she was quite starstruck!

      • Kori says:

        I was watching some clips of him on The Tonight Show and the Late Show. He seems like a really nice guy, intelligent and *really* quick on his feet. He was improvising lyrics to random words like it was nothing. And the rap he wrote for Colbert as his own Hamilton-ish character was fabulous!

  2. Christin says:

    I am looking forward to the Frey tribute, in part because his RA related passing seemed to be overshadowed last month. I read elsewhere that the remaining Eagles are planning to appear with Jackson (who co-wrote with Glenn the hit song they will perform).

    My guess is that they lined up some of these tributes more quickly if they had someone expressing interest in performing the late artist’s material — or an aggressive management / PR team pushing it.

  3. lower-case deb says:

    they could also go some length to “solve” (okay maybe solve is not the right word, but i’m grasping at straws) the diversity problem by making the Bowie Tribute a multi-artiste tribute. it can be so intersectional, involving all genders, colors, creed under the sun.

    also.. they miss out having people like Adam Lambert, Janelle Monae, Grace Jones, Kraftwerk, Lennox, McCartney or whoever else on the stage doing God’s work basically. even the odd intergalactic contingent might perhaps send Tilda Swintardust to DANCE?

    or perhaps all of the above people are all unavailable due to previous engagements? and the only one left is Gaga?

    i am still hoping that the Gaga Solo set is just a smokescreen and they will suddenly open the curtains and lo and behold… a ton of artists pop up and sing dance paint contort orate etc etc.

    Edit: did i read it right that Bowie’s tribute is 6 minutes long (for one tribute artist). while White gets a measly 1 minute (with SEVERAL artists)?

    • Anthi says:

      “they could also go some length to “solve” (okay maybe solve is not the right word, but i’m grasping at straws) the diversity problem by making the Bowie Tribute a multi-artiste tribute. it can be so intersectional, involving all genders, colors, creed under the sun.

      also.. they miss out having people like Adam Lambert, Janelle Monae, Grace Jones, Kraftwerk, Lennox, McCartney or whoever else on the stage doing God’s work basically. even the odd intergalactic contingent might perhaps send Tilda Swintardust to DANCE?”

      I would definitely watch that!!!!

      • censored says:

        Exactly Bowie was such an eclectic artist , IMO mutli artist tribute showing all his sides would be more appropriate than a solo artist tribute
        I actually think this is more about propping up Gaga than it is about Bowie

        NB:Also the one min tribute to Maurice White came ONLY after people spoke up

    • paranormalgirl says:

      David Bowie was seriously influenced by artists of color. It’s a sad tribute that ignores that. Check out the documentary “David Bowie: 5 Years” to see the influence and collaboration Bowie had with black artists.

  4. Armenthrowup says:

    The fact that they give awards to a mediocrity like Taylor Swift proves they mean nothing.

  5. Alex says:

    Not surprised at all. Natalie passed BEFORE Bowie so the time thing is BS for her at least. And not to broadcast RunDMC is crap. No Hamilton to open? I mean it’s not like they are using their only day off to perform for you…if you promised them the opening slot then give them the opening slot. I rarely watch the Grammys unless someone I really really love is performing so I’ll pass this year.

  6. sofie says:

    Only looking forward to Adele wiping the floor with Taylor Swift.

    • Kat says:

      THIS! I want to see REAL talent prevail again over b*tchy mediocrity that’s been nicely packaged by crafty PR tactics. I guess you can tell I’m not a Swifty fan, huh?

    • Colette says:

      Adele isn’t nominated,her record came out after the deadline.

  7. Lucy2 says:

    They can’t work in someone performing a verse or two of a Natalie Cole or Earth Wind and Fire song? But are giving Gaga EIGHT MINUTES for a solo tribute that never should have been solo? Come on.

    • lower-case deb says:

      #GrammySoWhite’s sole non-white tribute is someone named White.

    • Scal says:

      Exactly. Esp considering how hot Beyoncé is right now-they couldn’t get to her to come in and belt out a few lines of Natalie? Maybe have Alabama Shakes do a kick butt rock version to earth wind and fire? Heck-I’d even be satisfied if Adele came out and did a few lines of one of Natalie’s songs.

      I love Bowie-but a 8 minute solo tribute from one artist to another artist is over the top.

      • Beyonce could not handle any of Natalie’s music her range is too limited. Adele while white is the better choice if you can’t strong arm Jennifer Hudson into performing.

      • Colette says:

        Rachelle Ferrell would be the best choice much better than Adele,Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson

    • paolanqar says:

      And they couldn’t get someone who was real friends with him like Mick Jagger? Or anybody else?
      Gaga we’ll never let us hear the end of this.

    • Elyna says:

      I’m okay with an 8 minute tribute to David Bowie…if it is inclusive of many artists that knew and worked with him. That does NOT excuse cutting out Natalie Cole or Earth, Wind and Fire’s White from individual tributes. We would not have “Today’s” music without these artists’ influence. Natalie is music royalty stock, for pete’s sake!! And, how many of us would not have been born without the groove from Earth, Wind and Fire?? If tonight turns out to be #GrammyWhitewash that’s it for me. I am over this blatant bias!

  8. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I can see absolutely no reason why they would leave out White and Natalie Cole except for what they have in common. Correct me if I’m wrong. I’d love to be wrong.

    • AlmondJoy says:

      I’m thinking the same thing, GNAT. Natalie Cole and Maurice White are iconic. There’s really no excuse for not including them.

      • lower-case deb says:

        Stevie Wonder will honor Maurice White.
        to share a stage with an acappella group of some sort to do a 1-min tribute:
        “But the Grammy academy finally bowed to pressure over White, and over the weekend added Wonder and a cappella group Pentatonix to perform a one-minute tribute to White.”

        meanwhile, Gaga will do an 8-min, 10-song medley.

        http://pagesix.com/2016/02/14/one-late-black-music-legend-will-be-honored-at-grammys/

        no news about Cole.
        it seems that the only way to get a tribute this year is either be white or named White.

    • HH says:

      Agreed. And for me, when it comes to music, lack of diversity is even more egregious. Every pop song I hear on the radio in recent memory has notes of hip hop and r&b; the dancing in music videos has a lot of Black influence; and, the fashion in these videos has also been taken cues from POC. So it’s far more problematic than the Oscars, IMO.

      • Kori says:

        I agree. The black influence on music is immense. Especially on the musical genres unique to America or mostly identified with America–ragtime, jazz, blues and on. For THE award ceremony geared toward music to be so color-blind (in a bad way) is really egregious.

    • littlemissnaughty says:

      It’s ridiculous. I love Bowie but 8 minutes is unnecessary, especially if it’s Gaga. Does it HAVE to be Gaga? I know Stevie Wonder is not a great fit for Bowie stylistically (although I’m sure the man could make it work) but I’d rather see him for 8 minutes on stage. And to omit Natalie Cole is a f*cking crime.

      • Christin says:

        Reminds me of the Oscars’ in memoriam segment, which is often puzzling in who is most prominently spotlighted and who is omitted every year.

      • lucy2 says:

        I hate when they omit someone from the In Memoriam segment, and then claim it was for time reasons. You can’t put someone’s photo up for 3 seconds, in a show that will surely run at least 30 minutes long and be stacked with filler? The Emmys did that a few years ago, the same year they had an at least 30 second long clip of all the hair styles Stana Katic has had on Castle over the years. Yeah, that’s more important than honoring people who spent their lives working in the industry.

    • noway says:

      I am correcting you. What bothers me most about these comments is one of the three scheduled in memoriam performance tributes is to the GREAT BB King, and he is never mentioned in any of this. He is truly one of the most influential musicians ever and it is sad that he gets lost in this topic. Bowie and Frey were the other two scheduled in memoriam performances. Also, they only have two other living performance tributes and one is to Lionel Ritchie the other is to Latin music. All other performances are artist or duos as they have been known to do for the last few years and a very diverse cast. Sorry, I am sure Natalie Cole will be honored in an in memoriam section, but with the amount of unfortunate deaths I don’t think she is in the same music legend category as the ones with the performance tributes. Also, Maurice White died February 4, just 11 days ago. The schedule and promos were made before, but they did add a performance tribute it appears because Stevie Wonder was just added and the new promo states the living members of Earth Wind and Fire pay tribute. I am sure it took some scheduling to get them there, as they didn’t know he was going to die. Plus, people pressuring the Grammys really need to look for better places. You have the top two artist nominated for 18 awards are black, and Kendrick Lamar will probably win a ton of awards with 11 nominations. People really are decades late on their outrage with the Grammys. Other award shows need to change to fit more their model.

      • Boxy Lady says:

        Getting the rest of Earth Wind & Fire to the Grammys took no extra scheduling whatsoever. They were already supposed to be honored with a lifetime achievement award albeit before the televised portion of the show just like Run DMC. (Another travesty, IMO. Is it too much to think that a lifetime achievement honoree deserves at least *some* airtime?)

      • Colette says:

        Natalie Cole – 9 Grammys(no tribute)
        Maurice White – 6 Grammys (1 minute tribute)
        David Bowie – 2 Grammys(8 minute tribute)

  9. Carolyn says:

    So, I follow Lin Manuel Miranda on twitter, and he actually didn’t ever say that the Hamilton performance would be opening the Grammy’s – he said that they would be performing the opening OF Hamilton during the Grammy’s, and people got confused and assumed he meant that they were opening the Grammy’s. He clarified in this tweet 2 weeks ago: https://twitter.com/Lin_Manuel/status/694901557800878080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    The full story: http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Grammy-Award-Opening-Number-Mix-Up-Leaves-HAMILTON-Fans-In-a-Tizzy-20160210

    Either way, very much looking forward to the Hamilton performance, even though I’ll have to wait to watch it the next morning due to time zones!

  10. Nancy says:

    I had to hit pause when I read people will be tuning in to see her….really? Who? Okay teens have the day off for President’s Day, they will take an afternoon nap to stay up and watch her while she does her little dances in the front row next to Selena Gomez.

  11. Ennie says:

    Hamilton? Is it a musical?
    They might be known in the USA more than abroad. Grammy awards as well as other awards are sold to international broadcasters, they benefit from international viewing. In hat way, I understand their choosing of a very famous artist to open.
    PS. I’m tired of Gaga already. Love, love, love Natalie Cole. I hope she is acknowledged.

    • Lama Bean says:

      Yes it’s on Broadway. Rave reviews. I’ve heard it is absolutely fantastic and always sold out.

    • paranormalgirl says:

      Ohhhhh, it’s so freaking good! I was spellbound.

    • Kori says:

      It’s the most revolutionary thing to his Broadway, musical or otherwise, in a long time. We’re living out of the states right now so have caught only reviews and clips (youtube, etc) but it’s insane how it has shaken things up. And at a time when we’re talking about diversity–what an idea to make the story of the Founding Fathers a multicultural rap musical. It seems like a ‘huh?’ when you first read it but it is really original, fun and entertaining–not to mention smart and as a history nerd, I love anything that teaches history in such an accessible way to people. Miranda is a huge talent and I wish there was a chance he was still going to be in the role when we move back in 2 yrs.

  12. The Eternal Side-Eye says:

    Smh, and some people say they think people bringing up the lack of diversity and respect is what’s keeping all this tension going or contributing to some kind of racial divide.

    How do we stop mentioning racial issues when this problem KEEPS happening?

    Listen, I loved David Bowie and thought he was amazing but him being a white artist doesn’t put him on some otherworldly level that means he deserves 8 minutes while other artists of color get 0. Also, what a disgusting way to honor a man who himself fought for artists of color to get some respect.

    Sometimes I get very sick of people pretending they care or have learned their lesson and then seeing them repeat the same mistakes over and over.

    • Ennie says:

      Are they giving him all those minutes because he is white? really?
      I am seriously asking.

      • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

        Considering they had no artists of color getting a tribute and then managed to only scrap together a minute for White, while still ignoring others, I’m going to say yes.

      • noway says:

        They have a tribute to BB King, yes he did die in 2015 too, and also Lionel Ritchie has a special Grammy award and group performance scheduled too. Plus I think they may have a surprise for Maurice White too as they like to have surprise performances and they are promoting it a lot. Look at the list of performers hardly the all white Oscars and considering Kendrick Lamar leads with 11 nominations this year with The Weekend and Taylor Swift at second with 7 nominations don’t think it looks like the Oscars nominations to me.

        http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/14/grammys-2016-who-is-performing

  13. Jayna says:

    How can they leave out the great Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. He was the driving force of that group and their music is for the ages, iconic.

    And no Natalie Cole tribute? How can that be?

  14. Meryl says:

    I was actually surprised at how little attention the Grammys seem to be getting in the media. On a different note – I saw some Swifty fans on tumblr talking about how if she didn’t the awards she is nominated for, it would be because of reverse racism. No lie. I mean, I expect her to clean up tonight and pretty much win everything. But to say that if she loses to Kendrick Lamar for AOTY it’s because she is white was a whole new level of moronic.

    • Tiffany says:

      No. She will lose to Kendrick Lemar because To Pimp A Butterfly is one of the best albums in the last decade. His talent is few and far between in this industry and it is not a coincidence that he got a ton of nominations and will win them all. And if he does not get AOTY, it will be a travesty. Swifty is not very good. Period.

    • Jayna says:

      They had better be prepared, because Kendrick Lamar will win AOTY and not because of reverse racism.

    • noway says:

      Those are just crazy Taylor fans who think she deserves everything. You know fans is short for fanatic. I like Taylor, but Kendrick Lamar’s album is much better. He’ll win because it is better period, and I think very few people other than diehard Taylor fans will think otherwise. Just as Beck’s album deserved to win no matter what Kanye thought.

  15. censored says:

    I love David Bowie , He deserves a tribute but 8 mins by ONE artist whilst some other icons get none ?
    The irony is Bowie drew a lot of influences from Black musicians and was one of the first persons to publicly take on MTV and others for how they treated black artists

  16. mindydopple says:

    I’m just going to pile on what everyone keeps mentioning. DAVID BOWIE LOVED BLACK PEOPLE. He fought to give them their dues. He married a black women, and to pay tribute to him but shoving everyone else to the side is not what he would have wanted. And I’m pretty sure Gaga paid to have 8 mins too and only her. She seems to be having a good year out of no where right?

    • Sara says:

      I perfectly agree. He would have felt honored that some of the black artists whose musical style had so influenced his own performed as a tribute to him. Picking Gaga is such a slap in the face when you think about what Bowie actually was about.

    • Jayna says:

      Now that you say that, Bowie would be appalled by these circumstances, not to see two great black artists fully given tribute to, but yet he was.

      Also, I hope that it’s just not a Gaga show for him and that some of the great musicians and backup singers he collaborated with over the years are brought on to back up Gaga in her performance. One can dream.

  17. Wentworth Miller says:

    Did they see how much attention the Oscars got, so now they’re like, “hey this is one way of getting people to watch our boring ass awards show?”
    There’s no way anyone… I won’t even bother

  18. CC in CO says:

    I just read that Stevie Wonder would be doing the tribute for Maurice White. True or no?

    • noway says:

      I think you might be right, I was hoping for Phillip Bailey too, but with the amount of promoting CBS and the Grammy’s are doing on Maurice White’s tribute it better be one hell of a video to have that much promotion. Again they usually like to have one surprise so I think this might be it.

  19. noway says:

    Unlike a lot on here the Grammy’s is my favorite award show to watch followed by the Tony’s mainly for the performances. I don’t care as much about who wins what, but as far as an award show they have definitely changed their white only stance over the years. If you look at the list of nominees and performers, hardly all white and a pretty diverse group. I think this criticism is a bit much.

    Unfortunately, this year a lot of great musician died and they have three performance tributes this year Bowie, Frey, and B.B. King with Gary Clark, Jr. in addition to a tribute to Lionel Ritchie. As far as Natalie Cole, I love her but she was not as a big a star as them. I also get the feeling with the promos they are running they may be trying to do a surprise performance for Maurice White as they are promoting his tribute a lot. Maybe they have been trying to get Phillip Bailey and they aren’t announcing it, that would be great. Also there is a latin music performance with Pitbull too this year.

    Now Run DMC is interesting as they seem to have a history of being dissed by the Grammy’s when they did have a white only bent, but in fairness I think they have stopped televising the lifetime achievement awards unless they can make it a big performance number for a while now. As far as Hamilton opening instead of Taylor? Seriously it isn’t the Tony’s. I know Hamilton is nominated, but still Taylor is a much bigger draw.

  20. FF says:

    Hamilton should have opened. Swift is overexposed and could have sung later.

    The Bowie tribute should have be multi-artist and diverse given his own statements and influences.

    It’s disgusting that they are not recognising Natalie Cole. And Maurice White gets one freaking minute.

    The entire thing’s a bad joke. They are clearly as out of touch as the Academy.

  21. JRenee says:

    I believe Natalie won 9 grammys with 21 nods.
    Frey won 6 and Bowie only 1. I think the Grammys should honor the artistry moreso when the artist are alive. If she was good enough for 21 nods, she’s good enough for a 2 minute tribute.
    I was and am exited about the Eagles performance in tribute to Glenn but Lady Gaga for 8 minutes for Bowies, not so much. I would have preferred a couple of artist doing the tribute.
    We’ve lost a lot of great artist within the last year, you can’t dimension the contributions of 1 or 2 because so many have passed within a years time.

  22. Kate says:

    Taylor needs a new face pose

  23. Jan says:

    Well there was a fabulous tribute to Lionel Ritchie! It was outstanding, great mix of artists!

  24. TJ says:

    Seriously, why does everything have to be about race? Can’t you guys think of anything else to write about? Inflammatory posts and articles like this start stupid fights for no reason. #unite

    • YupYepYan says:

      Yup. A post about something that hasn’t happened and commented by people who isn’t even watch the show.
      Ps: Kendrick Lamar rocks and I’m so glad I watch the grammy and be intrduced to ALabama Shakes

  25. Tony says:

    Where is the post saying how wrong you were since they did tributes to three black artists last night as well? Maybe before you try to race bait you should have some facts