In Sunday’s Style section of the New York Times music/ad mogul Steve Stoute addresses some the Grammy’s questionable voting decisions that had everyone mumbling at this year’s ceremony. Here are his words from the full page ad:
Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay — so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic.
As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP — an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time — was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West’s Graduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 1984.
Wow! Read the rest after the jump and let us know if you agree with Steve’s thoughts that the Grammy’s are getting out of touch.
Just so that I’m not showing partiality to hip-hop artists (although it would be an entirely different letter as to how hip-hop music has been totally diminished as an art form by this organization), how is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist? Again, his cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership — the fact that he was a talent born entirely of the digital age whose story was crafted in the most humble method of being “discovered” purely for his singing ability (and it should be noted that Justin Bieber plays piano and guitar, as evidenced on his early viral videos).
So while these very artists that the public acknowledges as being worthy of their money and fandom are snubbed year after year at the Grammys, the awards show has absolutely no qualms in inviting these same artists to perform. At first I thought that you were not paying attention to the fact that the mental complexion of the world is becoming tanned, that multiculturalism and poly-ethnicity are driving new meaning as to what is culturally relevant. Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem’s, Kanye West’s or Justin Bieber’s name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers.
What truly inspired the writing of this letter was that this most recent show fed my suspicions. As the show was coming to a close and just prior to presenting the award for Album Of The Year, the band Arcade Fire performed “Month of May” — only to… surprise… win the category and, in a moment of sheer coincidence, happened to be prepared to perform “Ready to Start.”
Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation? Meanwhile the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences hides behind the “peer” voting system to escape culpability for not even rethinking its approach.
And I imagine that next year there will be another televised super-close-up of an astonished front-runner as they come to the realization before a national audience… that he or she was used.
You are being called to task at this very moment, NARAS.
And to all of the artists that attend the Grammys: Stop accepting the invitation to be the upset of the year and demand that this body upholds its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves.
Demand that they change this system and truly reflect and truly acknowledge your art.
Steve Stoute
{ 27 trackbacks }
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
I’ve been saying the same thing for a long time and it’s the main reason I no longer watch the Grammy’s.
Well said!!!!
I am a film guy, who has had similar beefs with the Academy Awards, however, I have to agree with Mr. Stoute, the Grammys are a embarrassment, and it’s a shame because they still have the honor of being the top award in the music business. What needs to happen is a new governing body needs to either take over for the Grammy committee or Top Industry heads like Mr. Stoute, should make there own Music Award honor. In my opinion, it would only take one award show to prove that you got it right. I don’t know who’s on the Grammy Committee now, but they either don’t know what they’re doing, or they’re scared to get it right.
Modern contemporary artists should accept NARAS’ invitation to perform next year,
rehearse, sell the impression that they WILL perform – but stand ‘em up. But yea rite, its too much money floatin’ around fuh dat to happen.
Well put
look i dont care that they dont look at sales but I do agree that they need to respect Hip hop electro and Punk music
First of all, Arcade Fire getting Album Of The Year was a win for anyone with decent taste, but it was just a fluke that happens once in a while when they feel like throwing a bone to genuinely talented artists. Secondly, are you fucking 12? The Grammys have been a farce for quite some time. They reward the best selling albums for the most part, so in a sense it’s just a glorified version of the Billboard awards. Oh, and Stout catches an L for asking the Grammys to respect artistry and then saying Bieber should win ANY award.
I’m with Bulldog, it’s not a popularity contest. Otherwise only the likes of Katy Perry would win, and won’t that be a sad sad day.
If they rewarded the best selling albums, what happened to the Marshall Mathers LP and Recovery?
Also, you are showing off your extreme narrow-mindedness by criticizing Stoute for nominating Justin Bieber as a viable recipient for a Grammy. As much as I personally don’t like Justin Bieber’s pop music and his psycho fans, I can’t just assume that everything he does is void. He is still an artist that has significantly changed the dynamic of modern pop as a 16 year old Usher-discovered Youtube sensation.
Your pretentious comment regarding Arcade Fire’s win (“… for anyone with decent taste”) further displays your arrogance and even ignorance of the music industry, especially in regards to Stoute’s article.
I totally agree w/ anony… I personally don’t connect w/ Justin Beiber’s music but I for damn sure know he’s the 2010/2011 Best New Artist. His poplularity is SICK. Not to mention he’s one of the handful of artists who’re still selling music when no one else can.
You’re a tool
Good point and I agree w/ most of what you said, I do want to note however, Usher didn’t discover Beiber, there was a bidding war, Usher just won out (Beiber almost signed w/ Justin Timberlake). And yep, The Black Keys are a much better group (and the “Brothers” album is HOTNESS)
“Your pretentious comment regarding Arcade Fire’s win (“… for anyone with decent taste”) further displays your arrogance and even ignorance of the music industry, especially in regards to Stoute’s article”
I’ve heard the music of Eminem , Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Lady Antebellum, I just don’t care for it. Chances are most of those artists’ fans haven’t even heard of The Arcade Fire, so who’s really the ignorant one here? I’m sure you’ve heard of the Who The Fuck Is The Arcade Fire tumblr page. That’s nothing but people congratulating themselves on their willful ignorance.
I don’t understand how you can agree with Arcade Fire winning Album of the Year, when they lost to The Black Keys for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. If they weren’t even the best in their genre how can they be good enough to win Album of the Year?
I think they were the best possible choice out of all the candidates. I believe the best album of 2010 was Deerhunter’s Halcyon Digest but it was released in November so it wasn’t eligible. Out of all the eligible albums of 2010 I think LCD Soundsystem’s This Is Happening was the best.
OMG VERY WELL SAID! Bieber is a media creation just like the Backstreet Boys, NSync, 98 Degrees and the like. They are forever propping up certain ppl and telling us we need to love them. For those of us who think for ourselves were prefer to select the musci and artists we feel are making quaility musci not just CARP IN BULK! How many singles do you hear one artist release from 1 CD in a month 3! How many features are certain aritsts on 4! It is sickening that true artists who may not be popular or well known never get an opportunity to shine but those favoried by the media recieve all the awards, appear on every program an dget all the accolades! IT’S TRULY SICKENING!
That kid spent more money on his shoes than you guys will make in a year…LOL
Y is everyone so mad at the BIEB?!
Right On You Must Be Crazy.
Thank you Grammy’s for recognizing one of the youngest instructors to teach jazz at the Berkelee College of Music. She is a dynamo and a true all around musician. I’m happy that she was recognized.
I like Esperanza Spalding too. But she is clearly not a New Artist. She has two albums out before this one.
I guess somebody other than Kanye West finally decided to speak out.
The Arcade Fire win was one of those rare surprises from the Grammys and I loved that they won. Quite frankly I would have preferred if they won back in the day for Funeral but this is good enough.
In the back of my mind, I can’t help thinking that it was an intentional snub against Eminem. The Grammys don’t mind giving awards to rap albums so long as those awards are confined to hip-hop/rap/urban genres. As mentioned above Em and Kanye should have probably one those categories in their respective years.
Outkast won Album of the Year but their album leaned on the alternative / experimental side. The only legitimate hip-hop album to ever win Album of the Year was The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
The Grammys are so irrelevant. If you look at the albums that lost Album of the Year in the past 10 years and the ones that won, it would be pretty obvious the Grammys are a joke!
the grammy’s need more nudity
ahh yes nudity….but on the real steve stout has it right. On the other hand I haven’t watched the grammys since i was a kid in my jammys
I both agree and disagree with Steve Stoute.
I agree that the Grammy’s have lost touch with what they should be about. The thing is, I feel it’s the opposite as Stoute puts it.
Stoute is basically saying that the Grammy’s should be a popularity contest, which is what I think it should NOT be. I understand that he is speaking about the effect music has on culture, but shouldn’t a music awards show just be about the quality of the music?
How does a band like Arcade Fire have the opportunity to have a huge influence on the mainstream music generation when the average person hasn’t heard of them? That’s not their fault. And yet, they clearly made one of the best albums of 2010. I was extremely happy that the Grammy’s decided to recognize their work, even though it wasn’t well-known enough to shape a culture like an Eminem album might have the ability to do.
The Grammy’s should not be a popularity contest. If the Grammy’s were to pick winners based on cultural impact, lesser known acts like Arcade Fire would never win, no matter how great their music is. That’s why it should be judged solely by the quality of music.
Amen. I’m a hip-hop head who listens to a little bit of everything and I have no doubt that Arcade Fire deserved their AOY win. Their album is damn near perfect and ridiculously better than the other nominees. The fact that artists like Arcade Fire and Herbie Hancock sometimes do get recognized for simply making dope music and not for selling a billion records is refreshing. It is really the only redeeming thing about the Grammys.
And thanks for not honoring the late GURU and thanks Stout for not mentioning that in your bullshit letter. When did the “culture” ever give a shit about the Grammys anyway? And when did Stout ever give a shit about the “culture” apart from turning everything about it into a branding extravaganza?
Go shit on yourself.
Well said gooch
I mean sooch
I love hip hop and urban culture with a passion. In a lot of ways I agree with him but I have to say he’s wrong. Justin Bieber is crap. Esperanza Spalding is a musical genius. Kanye West’s album was good, but by no means was it the best album of the year. Have you heard that Herbie album? How can you be down with hip hop, but not know Herbie is a pioneer. Fuck this idiot.
Very well said!
Agreed!
I like Esperanza Spalding too. But she is clearly not a New Artist. She has two albums out before this one. You right on point with herbie hancock. herbie hancock is hiphop 1980′s style just asked all the famous break dancers.
Much love and respect to Steve Stoute for intelligently articulating the problem with the Grammys. Most of the time you never even hear of people who win these categories until you watch the show. Hip-hop is one of the most influential if not THE MOST influential genre of music. Its about time elite award shows such as the Grammys show its proper recognition!
“Hip-Hop is one of the most influential if not THE MOST influential genre of music.”
I think it is sort of ironic to claim that a genre, whose foundation is based on sampling and borrowing from other genres, is “THE MOST influential genre of music.”
I’m a huge fan of HipHop.. I def think Em and Kanye should get the respect they deserve.. but in know way shape or form is hip-hop the most influential genre.. Even Em and Kanye would agree with me on this one…
Sidenote: How does that ignorant fuck think that Eminem is the new Bob Dylan.. sooo ignorant.. I bet the only two songs that dumb fuck knows by Dylan is Blowin’ in the Wind and Maggies Farm.
So this guy want only most selling artists to win Grammy? What ever happened to talent? Talent what makes you won a Grammy and not how many copies you sold and how well you know.
Yes! Sadly, the pop/hip hop genre is where mr. stoute makes his money. Of course he’s upset. Stop watching it.
He’s not 100% correct, but who’s ever 100% correct on a topic as sensitive as this? I definitely think he made a few good points so it will be interesting to see if he gets a response.
On another note, he should have ended his letter with R.I.P. Ol’ Dirty Bastard just to spice it up a lil bit, lol! As a matter of fact, it’s about time I revisit that ‘Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version,’ Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy ya!
This guy is a faggot nigger. All he wants to do is bitch because his “homies” aren’t bringing home hardware. With the exception of Eminem, whom I also despise, all this “person” will do is complain when Kanye or Jay-Z doesn’t go “H.A.M” at the awards shows. Welcome back to REAL music, Afro-America. Sorry you fell off.
Well, actually I’m not.
First all without listening to all the nomination how can you possibly disagree with their decision. The Grammy’s biggest problem is that they present awards for popularity and not true talent. Every year some categories are just popularity contest where the album that sells the most wins. Take the Rap Album of the Year the album that sells the most usually wins regardless of who deserves it. Maybe you guys should listen with open ears and conscience to all the nominated albums before crying that “your” favorite artist didn’t win or the album that “you” thought didn’t win—R.I.P. Guru OG Hip Hop
We should give all the Emmys to Jersey Shore. Its changed culture, its wildly popular & its a branding machine… right? but why don’t we? ….because its not a popularity contest or about popular culture. Its about artistry. Justin Bieber is not more talented than Esperanza Spalding. Arcade Fire’s album was either #1 or #2 (behind Kanye) as the most critically acclaimed album of the year. Do sales matter? Sure they do, but you can’t compare numbers out right… jazz v.s. mainstream… whats gonna win? Look at the ratio. Esperazana sold as much as Bieber or anyone else if you look at ratios.
How are you gonna complain when a jazz album had not won in 43 YEARS!!!! Please.
Additionally, he’s not even talking about real hip-hop or underground music. He mentions Eminem and Kanye, but what about The Roots (who won by the way) or Talib or Royce Da 5’9 or other artists? ….
But also its important to remember that 10 awards are handed out on the live broadcasts… 110 awards are handed out in total. How can you even make this argument.
The Grammys should be judged on the quality of the music, sometimes they get it wrong, but that doesn’t discredit the awards show.
seriously. if kanye doesn’t win next year for album of the year IM NEVER WATCHING EVER AGAIN.
We’ll know for sure if (when) Kanye doesn’t win Album of the Year next year.
This guy is an idiot who is pissed that all the time he wastes lobbying to make a bunch of no-talent corporate pop stars relevant, still can’t make them sound like musicians. Cultural relevance? This is about MUSIC you idiot not youtube. Remember music?? that stuff you only use your EARS for?? See if it were up to shallow a-holes like this, Kim Kardashian’s next single would be grammy worthy because 2 million people watched it on youtube. Esperanza Spalding is an ACTUAL musician who spends more time practicing her INSTRUMENT (amemba those??) than working on her hair and make-up and outfit. That’s why when she’s 80 she’ll still be playing. Where as this spice boy justin beiber will be in rehab or dead or something. Poor lil Justin Bieber only gets millions of dollars for pretending to be Michael Jackson. Boo effing Hoo! Eminem has been pretending to be dr. dre for a decade and he will NEVER have the flow of a Mos Def. These shallow a-holes have lost it! He’s right. It is time for a revolution. A MUSIC revolution where “ACTS” and “REAL MUSICIANS” are on separate stages They have an awards show for children’s music, the teen choice awards. The grammy’s are for ACTUAL artists. Get a life you a-hole.
momo you are my hero!
R.I.P. Guru
R Kelly and Monica got robbed. That’s all I’m gonna say…
I disagree with Stout… if he wants rewards for best sales… go bitch at Billboard.
Also if he needs to bitch more at the Grammys, become a voter.
I don’t agree with every final vote from Grammys… when Boys II Men lost in the 90′s lost for Record of the Year for “End of the Road.”
Stoute got the whole industry talking with this one. At least it begins the dialogue.
The Grammys aren’t based on sales,they’re based on artistic excellence. To say just because something sells well that it should be rewarded is ridiculous! That’s like saying crack dealers should be applauded because their product sells for more money then aspirin! Crack is popular. Should we recognize it as being good for you? Beiber’s “music” is aural crack, it’s just pop garbage!
soundscan = public popularity
grammys = private opinion
but in the end, who can really tell you who’s artistic interpretation of sound is better… popular numbers or the high councils opinion?
Mr. Stoute, you don’t like it… form your own council and present your own award. I’m sure you’d get much respect, as much marketing research as I’m sure you’d devote to it.
I like Esperanza… hate “Mr windswept bangs” Beiber… so I’m rather pleased with the newcomer nod this year… you may think otherwise, which is fine, far be it from me to tell what to put on your ipod.
The fact that Arcade Fire won can only HELP the credibility of The Grammys at this point. Artistically, NONE of the other “artists” in that category deserved it more than AF. Quit your whining.
I don’t look for the Grammys to be like the AMAs and MTVs popularity voting. I look for it to be more of the critical best where the best artist is awarded, not the best auto-tuned person who is the flavor of the moment. The AMAs are for the auto-tuned group. I want to know who is the actual best artist and that is not necessarily the one who sells the most.
THE WORST YEAR EVER WAS 2005.
NOMINEES FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR.
“AMERICAN IDIOT” – GREEN DAY (CLASSIC)
“THE DIARY OF ALCIA KEYS” – ALICIAKEYS (CLASSIC)
“THE COLLEGE DROPOUT” – KANYE WEST (CLASSIC)
“CONFESSIONS” – USHER (CLASSIC) LAST ALBUM TO GO DIAMOND.
WINNER “GENIUS LOVES COMPANY” – RAY CHARLES. R U FREAKING KIDDING ME.
I LOVE RAY’S MUSIC & RESPECT HIM, BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THAT GREAT MUSICIAN HIS AWARD WHILE HE WAS STILL WITH US.
IT BURNS ME UP & KILLS MY FAITH IN THESE SHOWS, WHEN ALL THE ARTISTS, I JUST NAMED DON’T HAVE A ALBUM OF THE YEAR GRAMMY, BUT TAYLOR SWIFT DOES FOR SINGING ABOUT STILL BEING IN HIGH SCHOOL AT 21.
Has anyone pointed out yet that Kanye was STOKED that the Arcade Fire won? Just saying.
This man must be insane!
THANK GOD the Grammy Awards are based on merit and not media popularity like EVERY OTHER MUSIC AWARD SHOW! I am so proud of the young JAZZ LEGEND IN THE MAKING Esperanza Spalding won over MEDIA & INDUSTRY GIMMICKS Justin Bieber and Drake. I like Drake but he was nominated the year prior therefore the Grammy’s should have continued with their tradition of not allowing a person who has been previously nominated for an award to be nominated as a Best New Artist!
If the Grammy Awards who of course can be biased as all white American governed institutions are, begins catering and bowing to the” media supported” artists then it might as well not exist! HOLD FIRM GRAMMY’S don’t turn into the VMA’S, MTV AWARDS, BRIT AWARDS, BET Awards, VH1 Awards, or the AMA’s!
BLACK ARTISTS should as a collective BOYCOTT the GRAMMY AWARDS because they no longer show the R&B/Soul Category on air. They show all that other crap but cannot show the R&B Awards portion? WTF is really going on. This fool Steve Stoute is talking about bullsh** when he should be complaining about the important issue of Black Music being disrespected! They honor Aretha Franklin but had she been nominated and won she would not have been able to publically thank her supporters? What kind of BS is really going on!
BLACK PPL WAKE THE F**K UP!
What did he have the nerve to mention YouTube views are a reason why Justin Bieber should have won the B EST NEW ARTIST AWARD? Is this dude serious? WTF does that have to do with anything. If you watch the way they favior certain artists and feature their video’s over others then no wonder certain artist have many iews on YouTube. This man is crazy!
Let me be the first to say F**K Justin Bieber. If he wants an award he should go back to his own home country. It’s funny that in AmeriKKKa we are all suppose to be in it together but American born artists are constantly disrespected in favor of FOREIGN BORN ARTISTS like Bieber and that banana deep throating chicken head Rihanna! It’s sickening!
I’m sorry…but when did the Grammys become a people’s choice award. I didn’t realize the show was supposed to honor album sales over artistic merit.
As someone who has actually seen Esperanza Spalding play (as a side-person to Joe Lovano at the Montreal jazz fest), I can attest that she has more talent in her little finger than Bieber, Kate Perry and Lady Gaga combined. She was one of the most impressive bassists I’ve ever seen, and she was only 22! She stole the show that night, no mean feet considering she was with Lovano and drummer Brian Blades.
Boo hoo. Steve Stout is feeling the pinch of the music industry stumbling and shrinking. Beiber’s folks had a plan from the beginning..they assumed he’d win Best New Artist, and released his film that weekend hoping to ride the wave from is Grammy Win. Again Mr. Stoute..its best New Artist not best selling artist. So when Beiber and Eminem clean up at the American Music Awards, maybe he’ll feel better. Yes folks..jazz is alive and well. Esperanza Spalding deserved to win and to get a little more shine among the flood lights and huge marketing pushes. Pop music is just that, popular music. Damn! If you still mad about Steely Dan after ten years, then I don’t know what to tell you, and if the Grammy’s are so prestigious, why do they have the awards show every year. Relax Mr. Stoute there’s always next year.
So Mr. Stoute can spend $40,000 on a full-page ad in the New York Times’ to defend/kiss corporate “Hip Hop” industry ASS,
Yet not a dime to help the ailing Father of Hip Hop
DJ Kool Herc!
Shameless!
in 1977 the top grossing film was star wars. what followed was a pop culture phenomenon that thrives to this day. in 1977 the best picture oscar went to annie hall. what was the cultural impact? chicks in floppy hats and ties look cute. annie hall had more integrity and rightfully won. should star wars with crap acting and shitty dialogue have won, just because of box office sales and cultural impact? (i love star wars by the way. my favorite movie ever)
in his narrow-minded arrogance, stoute appears to reason that thriller deserved to win in 1984 because of the cultural impact and commercial success. and i thought it was due to well crafted pop songs, great songwriting, stellar musicians like greg phillinganes, steve lukather and eddie van halen. not to mention production by quincy effing jones!
should bieber have won over esperanza spalding because of bieber fever, record sales or floppy hair? because of his impact on young girls and best buy commercials?
in 1964 the beatles had the huge record sales, the floppy hair, the impact on young girls too. but what did they have that won them Best New Artist?
oh yeah, TALENT!
why spend 40 grand blowing sunshine up your own ass, yet again, when you can do it for free in the wikipedia entry about yourself, which you wrote yourself.
YOU COULD HAVE SUCKED YOUR OWN COCK FOR FREE!!
Well, I disagree with Stoute on the fact that Eminem should have received album of the year and Justin Bieber should have got best new artist. Both of those, in my humble opinion, should have went to Janelle Monae. None of these artists, touched her album on range, concept, or execution…ever. She’s in a class all by herself. Grammy’s been suckin’…
Arcade Fire put out a genuinely classic album.
Gaga – put out a reissue
Eminem – put out his second worst album to date
Katy Perry – Generic pop nothingness ess kesha, Lady G etc
Lady A – Generic country nothingness- see dixie chicks etc
It was a particularly poor list this year but it was won by a particularly brilliant album.
In 15 years arcade Fire will be that era’s U2, with the Jay Z’s and Stoute’s of that time desperate to work with them.
Open your mind Steve, music is broader than Bieber and hip hop.
I do not agree with the person who said that Drake should not have been up for Best New Artists if they believe Esperanza Spalding should have. The bitch has put two albums before her nominated one. Newcomer my ass. Drake just put out his first CD…. that’s a technical new comer, sorry his previous music was just too good to ignore.
And Bieber (as much as I hate his music) IS musicaly talented. The kid can actually play instruments and he can actually sing. He works his little ass off. Dude literally came out of no where (Soulja Boi status, only with talent). For you to say a voice like that isn’t talent goes to show how much you know about music. You don’t rate pop stars on the words they say, rather how they say them. Love songs are all the same.
I DO agree that Arcade Fire deserved their win of AoTY.
Eminem’s album was garbage and the clowns that said it was his “best yet” obviously do not know anything about rap, or music in general. Making songs with Rihanna and Pink doesn’t mean you made artistic leaps.
Katy Perry doesn’t even deserve a nomination at a serious award show.
Gaga in my mind is an incredible person but I feel she’s incredible for more than her musical expertise. The music is only a piece of her expression and thus I feel it doesn’t deserve the accolades people give her.
Lady Antebellum is run of the mill country. No two ways around it.
But really. Do we expect much from the Grammys anymore? Do we expect that the best musicians are going to be rewarded? Personally, I don’t.
I will say this however. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy deserves multiple Grammys. Anybody that disagrees IS either a T. Swift fan or a fool.
Stoute is paper thin. This letter is a piece of shit.
Don’t get me wrong the Grammys suck balls. But so does Stoute.
I submit these random thoughts directly to Mr. stoute:
Politics exist.
Sometimes people vote to smite.
If you have to qualify why an artist should win a music award by their “cultural influence” and “youtube hits”, you are reaching.
The music business is upside down and the industry is it’s worst enemy.
Most of the music you’ve pushed belongs in a water treatment facility.
NAPOLEON 02/21/2011 at 7:40 PM
THE WORST YEAR EVER WAS 2005.
NOMINEES FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR.
“AMERICAN IDIOT” – GREEN DAY (CLASSIC)
“THE DIARY OF ALCIA KEYS” – ALICIAKEYS (CLASSIC)
“THE COLLEGE DROPOUT” – KANYE WEST (CLASSIC)
“CONFESSIONS” – USHER (CLASSIC) LAST ALBUM TO GO DIAMOND.
WINNER “GENIUS LOVES COMPANY” – RAY CHARLES. R U FREAKING KIDDING ME.
I LOVE RAY’S MUSIC & RESPECT HIM, BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THAT GREAT MUSICIAN HIS AWARD WHILE HE WAS STILL WITH US.
IT BURNS ME UP & KILLS MY FAITH IN THESE SHOWS, WHEN ALL THE ARTISTS, I JUST NAMED DON’T HAVE A ALBUM OF THE YEAR GRAMMY, BUT TAYLOR SWIFT DOES FOR SINGING ABOUT STILL BEING IN HIGH SCHOOL AT 21.
yesssss that was a fucking travesty of a year…Honestly, Kanye better win Album of the year this coming year or the Grammy’s should just stop.
“THe Bob Dylan of our Time?” REally? how long are we going to ride Em? He fell off, then he comes back and everybody jumps right back on. Fickle hip hop fans never cease to amaze. The reason real hip-hop acts never win is because urban fans don’t provide finiancial support by buying their product. But let some half-baked, babling fool say a few lines over a obscure track and he gets played ad-nauseum on FM raido. We’re still dumbing down our art, or at least allowing the industry to do so. Pretty soon history will show that Eminem created hip-hop. While we keep championing the Soldier boys, Little Wayne’s and T-Pain’s, THe Common’s Talib Kweli’s and Lupe Fiasco’s keep getting B artist treatment. YOu have to build on a concrete foundation, not a house of cards. Because sometime soon the Big Bad Wolf will come along and blow our art form into techno. Oops that’s already happening. Who Stole the Soul? We sold it for a broken promise.
Bob Dylan of our time was reach but i understand what he was saying. i get it only because some people only gravitate to a certain style and sound of music and i guess hes sticking up for his “area” that he loves. Ems album this year was a better one from his last 3…. but as far as “artistically” better then what it was up against not even close. I am a hip-hop fan but i am a music fan first. I under stand what Stout was trying to say but came off like “why cant u give my boys some love”. Just because it sells doesnt make it great. Just because your a tabloid monster and a ratings creator doesnt make u influential to music. Popular doesnt always mean good. The proof is in the sound. If he wants Hip-hop to win something they gotta start making better music. No coincidence Lauren won a Grammy for her album cause that thing “MUSICALLY” was great.
Bottom line what i have to say about this is Stout thank u for starting the discussion that things DO need to change with the Grammy Committee…. but if hip-Hop and mainstream music want to be recognized on the highest level it has to start cranking out better music then what its doing. “Musically” step it up.
Wow. I cannot believe how much stupidity there is going on here. His only argument is that the commercially successful artist should win. And for thinking that Justin Bieber “defines what it means to be a modern artist”, that should tell everyone how little this ‘mogul’ knows about music.
Fuck Steve Stoute. In the ass.