The Biggest Snubs of the 2017 Grammy Nominations
The nominees for the 2017 Grammy Awards were revealed earlier this morning and the selections, for the most part, felt more representative of the artists and music that dominated this year compared to Grammy nominations past. Beyoncé leads all artists with nine nominees, including obvious nods in the categories for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year for her work on Lemonade. Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Chance the Rapper also racked up multiple nominations for 2016 releases.
And yet, as ever, there were several obvious snubs. Whether it was Drake’s “One Dance” (which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 and was arguably song of the summer), Kaytranada’s 99.9% in the electronic category, or The Life of Pablo for Album of the Year, people are going to be upset about what was left off the final list.
Drake “One Dance” (Song of the Year)
Drake’s smash hit (and first No. 1) is currently enjoying its 34th week on the Billboard charts. If a hit like that doesn’t qualify for the song of the year, what does?
Travis Scott, ‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’ (Best Rap Album)
Scott made the album that best embodied the myriad sounds of hip-hop in 2016, and hit No. 1 doing it.
David Bowie, ‘Blackstar’ (Album and Record of the Year)
Bowie’s final album also ranked as one of his best—it would have felt correct to see him get top honors at the Grammys.
Kanye West, ‘The Life of Pablo’ (Album of the Year)
Kanye always stirs up debate, and this album was no different. However, he also always puts out incredible music—he’s the most consistent star alive today—so no Album of the Year nomination is always going to be a shock. Especially for an album that tried to reinvigorate the format so conceptually.
Solange, ‘A Seat at the Table’ (Best R&B Album & Best Urban Contemporary Album)
This was indisputably one of the year’s best. We can only assume it failed to register with the submissions committee because it came out so recently.
Alessia Cara (Best New Artist)
Alessia Cara built on her strong 2015 this year with a series of songs that had heads turning to ask “who sings this” whenever they were played. Which happened to be often, and everywhere. And yet she’s not accounted for by the Grammys.
YG, ‘Still Brazy’ (Best Rap Album)
The Compton rapper released his second critically acclaimed album, and hit the Billboard top ten with a handful of hits to match—here’s hoping for a nomination on his next release.
Kaytranada, ‘99.9%’ (Best Dance/Electronic Album)
A quick perusal of some end-of-year lists from music publications (including our own) should let you know that Kaytranada put out an exceptional full-length.
Metro Boomin (Producer of the Year, Non-Classical)
“If young Metro don’t trust you” was the producer drop of the year thanks to “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1.” If that doesn’t make you a lock for a nomination, we’re not sure what criteria the Grammy committee is following.
The 1975, ‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It’ (Best Alternative Music Album)
The second album from the British rockers was positively received, and set a record for the longest album title to ever hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. That has to be worth something, right? (But seriously, it’s just a good album.)
