The Grammy nominations are here, and they aren’t without their fair share of controversy. This year The Weeknd leads the way with perhaps the most notable snub, being absent from the 2021 nominations. The artist put out chart-topping After Hours earlier this year, which raked in Platinum and Gold accolades with ease, along with remarkably charting every single song from the LP at one point earlier this spring.
TMZ later reported that sources familiar with the situation shared that The Weeknd’s team was in advanced talks to perform at The Grammys, but when the Recording Academy found out the musician was also in talks to perform at the Super Bowl they issued the musician with an ultimatum—perform at The Grammys or the Super Bowl, but not both.
Clearly, the Canadian crooner went with the Super Bowl, with his performance announced on November 12, just a week before the Grammy nominations were revealed. Once the nominations were announced, the singer took to Twitter to express his feelings about the snub, going as far as calling The Grammy’s “corrupt.” Sources believe that his decision to perform at Super Bowl LV prompted the Recording Academy to leave him off of the 2021 nominations list.
The Recording Academy has since responded to speculation that The Weeknd received no nominations due to his decision to perform at The Super Bowl.
According to TMZ, Harvey Mason Jr., interim President and CEO of the Academy, said, “We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. His music this year was excellent.” He adds, The Grammys had no issue with him performing at the Super Bowl and would have loved to have him also perform for the awards show. He also clarified that voting took place in October, a month before The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance was announced.
Featured image: Nina Westervelt
