The Grammys ended in controversy, again. Here’s what to know

NEW YORK (AP) – The 65th Grammys were in full swing on Sunday, with a night of shocking upsets, historic wins, tributes to artists like the late rapper Takeoff and hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Once again, Beyoncé was in the running for top honors.

Once again the show ended with someone else winning Album of the Year.

This year was widely seen as an opportunity for the Grammys to honor the superstar with a marquee award, especially on a night where she could (and did) become its most decorated performer. ).

Instead, Harry Styles won, and a line from his acceptance speech stung those who thought Beyoncé should have won.

Here’s what happened, how it’s interpreted, and who picked the Grammys’ top honors.

What is controversial about Styles’ victory?

Styles won for his third album, “Harry’s House,” and even he was surprised when his name was called.

The British pop star was again competing against other giants in the industry: acts like ABBA, Adele, Bad Bunny, Brandi Carlile, Coldplay, Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé.

Accepting the award, he said, “It’s really, really kind. I’m very, very grateful… I’m just—it doesn’t happen very often to people like me. And it’s great. Your Thank you very much.”

The line, “It doesn’t happen very often to people like me,” drew criticism in the hours following his victory.

Styles was born and raised in a small working-class town in northern England called Cheshire, and rose to fame in 2010 when he auditioned for the Simon Cowell-led talent competition show “The X Factor”. . He finished third with boyband One Direction. His solo career has earned him several Grammy and Billboard-charting albums and singles.

Styles didn’t say what he meant by his words. Some have interpreted this as an attempt to express how far he has come since his youth. However, others see the comment as an example of white privilege.

Why are people mad at Styles’ words?

Many of Beyonce’s fans are fiercely protective of the singer. After all, they are called the Beehive.

Despite Beyoncé’s 32 Grammy wins — the most of any artist in history — many are troubled by the fact that she has yet to win Album of the Year and loses to white musicians every time she’s nominated.

The Washington Post’s pop music critic Chris Richards said in a story, “Beyoncé just made Grammy history. Why does it feel like she still lost?” Wrote that his historical achievement sounds hollow.

“Why does it feel like it’s not enough,” Richards asked. “Because for the past 20 years and counting, the Recording Academy has routinely failed to recognize black artists at their creative peaks — and to her credit, Beyoncé keeps updating that peak with each new album.”

Similar criticism was leveled in other stories and by commenters online, some of whom noted that a black woman had not won Album of the Year since Lauryn Hill in the late 90s.

Ashley Small, a black feminism and pop culture doctoral student at Penn State University, criticized Styles’ speech in a tweet: “‘It doesn’t happen very often to people like me’ when a black woman who has been doing what she has done since 1999 Didn’t win the award. Crazy lol.

What is Beyoncé’s Grammy history?

The artist is tied with her husband, Jay-Z, for the most nominations with 88, but has only won 32 times. Most importantly, Beyoncé has lost Album of the Year four times to Taylor Swift, Beck, Adele, and now Styles.

Beyoncé has been nominated in each of the most prestigious categories throughout her decades-long career, but has won in these categories only once, for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”.

A black woman hasn’t won Album of the Year since Lauryn Hill won accolades for her breakout album, “The Meditations of Lauryn Hill” in 1999. The last black man to win the award was Jon Batiste, last year for his album “V”. Are.”

Who decides the album of the year?

According to Billboard, the Recording Academy has over 12,000 voting members. The entire membership is allowed to vote in the big four categories – Best New Artist, Record, Song and Album of the Year. Members are responsible for nominating candidates in their area of ​​expertise as well as voting on the winners of these categories.

Many artists have criticized how the Grammys nominate artists. The Recording Academy is driving a drive to diversify its membership and aims to have 2,500 female members by 2025.

What’s next for Beyoncé and Styles?

Both are hitting the road for international tours.

Styles’ next show is in Thailand next week and he will be doing shows in Asia and Europe over the summer.

Beyoncé will begin her “Renaissance” tour in Sweden in May and play dates in Europe and the United States.

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For more information on this year’s Grammy Awards, visit: www.apnews.com/GrammyAwards