This year’s Grammy awards were nothing short of dramatic. Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift walked away empty-handed, while Beyonce finally secured a long-awaited Album of the Year win after five nominations. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated many categories, and Doechii made history with her groundbreaking rap album win and electric performance of “Denial is a River.” But did the winners truly reflect the music shaping our generation, or were the awards driven by industry politics?
Billie Eilish, despite the massive success of her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, left the ceremony with zero wins, going 0 for 7 in her nominations. Many expected her track Birds of a Feather to win Song of the Year, but it was beaten by Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which also earned Record of the Year. Some questioned whether Billie was even considered in the right category. When asked, IHS junior and pop culture expert Joao Alfonso argued, “Billie did not win best pop album because she is not pop.”
However, Mr. Hughes, head of the Math Department and music connoisseur, had a different perspective. When asked if he was surprised by Billie’s shutout, he said he was “definitely surprised because of how relevant she is,” but he speculates that it may be because previous wins influenced this year’s results. “These artists have won a lot in the past,” and the voters may “try to spread out awards in the next year.” Could this explain the generational divide in reactions–why younger fans like Joao saw Billie’s loss as inevitable, while an older generation, like Mr. Hughes, found it unexpected?
The Grammy performances this year were equally conversation-worthy, with show-stopping performances by Chapell Roan, Doechii, Charli XCX, and Benson Boone. Each brought a distinct energy to the stage. How does each performance compare? Joao singled out Charli XCX as his favorite performance because it was “so iconic, especially with appearances from Alex Consani and Julia Fox.” Sophia Marshall agreed, adding, “Brat was my album of the summer.”
Meanwhile, Doechii’s performance left a lasting impression on Mr. Hughes, who appreciated its nostalgic throwback to the ’90s. “She tapped into the R&B and hip-hop of the 90s, which was an era I grew up in,” he added, saying, “The dancing and outfits were cool.” Doechii’s win was another unexpected but well-received moment. “Doechii winning was surprising, but she was so deserving,” Joao noted.
Kendrick Lamar, despite his Song of the Year sweep, was not nominated for Album of the Year, which did not sit right with Joao. “Maybe it was because his album dropped too late,” he speculated. “Tyler the Creator also should have been nominated.”
Reflecting on the night, Mr. Hughes commented on the broader shifts in music taste and recognition. “A lot of artists in pop win, and I don’t listen to them regularly, so I don’t feel strongly about any artist in particular.” His comment highlights the ongoing conversation about generational perspectives on music and how different age groups interact with modern pop culture.
As the dust settles, one question lingers: Did the Grammys truly reflect the music that defines us or just the industry’s calculated decisions? The Grammy voting process is conducted by the Recording Academy, whose members vote on nominees in multiple rounds. While this system aims to recognize artistic merit, it has long been criticized for favoring established artists and overlooking emerging talent that is being influenced by industry politics. Whether you agree with the winners and nominations or not, one thing is clear: this year’s award sparked a conversation that will be long-lasting even after the trophies are placed on their shelves.
