Grammy Nominations Report
On Jan. 26, music artists will be honored at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
This year, the Grammys may change the trends of past years. In 2018, during the televised ceremony, Alessia Cara was the sole female winner, which drew criticism for a lack of female representation in the award winners, according to BBC.
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presents the Grammys. In past years, the Recording Academy, as it is better known, focuses on “rewarding journeyman stars and rock elders at the expense of pop’s younger and more vital ranks,” according to The New York Times.
These trends are set to change. In 2020, the focus will be on young, modern, and diverse stars. Notable nominees are Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and Lil Nas X.
As with every year, the nominees were noted as much for the artists who didn’t make it, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce.
Lizzo has continued to grow in popularity after her release of “Cuz I Love You,” leading her to have the most nominations of any other artist for 2020. She is nominated for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Eilish was not far behind. At just 17-years-old, Eilish is the youngest nominee in her categories for 2020, according to The New York Times. Eilish, with her 2019 album, “When We All Fall Asleep,” has been nominated for Album of the Year, Record and Song of the Year, and the Best New Artist.
The leading male nominee is Lil Nas X, with six nominations. Half of his nominations are accredited to “Old Town Road,” recorded with Billy Ray Cyrus. Lil Nas X and Cyrus are nominated for Record of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.
Rolling Stone called Taylor Swift’s “Lover” a “career-capping masterpiece,” according to Insider, but Swift was only nominated for three awards, including Song of the Year for the title song.
Gaga was ultimately snubbed for the soundtrack of “A Star is Born.” Gaga was still nominated for Song of the Year with “Always Remember Us That Way.”Gaga is also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Song Written for Visual Media with “I’ll Never Love Again.”
Last of the snubbed is Queen B, Beyonce, and her live album, “Homecoming,” though she has “Spirit” from “ The Lion King.” According to Variety, “‘Spirit’ picked up nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Despite the snubs, the Grammys have set the stage to be the most diverse, female-driven show for the start of the New Year. The awards show will air Jan. 26.