There are sayings across many cultures that reflect the sentiment “You take one step forward and two steps backwards.” In many ways, the Grammys represents the “two steps backwards” for urban music and more contemporary representatives of popular music.
As a spectator watching the Grammys, and a hip hop connoisseur, I was very excited prior to the start of the show. In my mind, it was a HUGE year for hip hop and urban music with breakout stars like Drake; the creative genius of Kanye West (even though My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy won’t be eligible for album awards until next year); the hard hitting, edgy, yet very musical contribution of Rick Ross; the ingenuity of B.o.B. and CeeLo; the rise into superstardom of Nicki Minaj; and the soulful notes of Trey Songz, among many others that ruled urban and pop radio. The energy before the show was on-target with big wins for John Legend and the Roots, Jay-Z, Usher, and Fantasia. They all won awards in hip hop or R&B categories. However, my main focus for this article is the actual show; the 10 awards and 10+ performances during the 3.5 hour network television special. It’s great that there are categories to represent the wide range of music in the world. I swear I learn about a new Grammy category every year. And I do remember when hip hop was first introduced as an “accepted” form of music, according to academy. Even with all of that, I expected to see a more well-rounded representation of urban/popular music in Sundays show. Sadly, I was disappointed.
In general, the Grammy’s showcased a relatively eclectic array of artistry while leaning towards a country/pop/rock angle. There were portions of the show where it genuinely felt like the Country Music Awards. I do remember back in the days watching the Grammys and being bored to tears. It seems as if the Grammys have taken a “cooler” turn in the past 10 years. It could be that I’m older and my musical palette is more diverse.
Each year at Grammy time, we are reminded that hip hop; besides to those of us that are waste deep in the culture; doesn’t have as much impact as we’d like to think. Each year, subtle snubs and blatant absentmindedness makes me question just how inclusive the Grammys really are. Those of us that were deep in mourning at the loss of hip hop legend Guru were baffled at the (blatant) absence of his picture during the “In Memoriam” segment of the show. Those of us who mourned the death of soul legend Teddy Pendegrass were thrilled to hear the show was doing a tribute, only to be let down after a 10 second snippet by a (very popular) country group. Those of us who live and breath hip hop were confused when we saw the 1996 album cover to Jay-Z’s classic Reasonable Doubt album as his current representation some 15 years later. Those of us who were excited about the “big hip hop performance” (because hip hop usually only gets one), were less than thrilled that Eminem would be the lone representative of the culture; (as he tends to be whenever he releases an album.) One can generally assume that if Eminem releases an album, regardless of how good or bad it is, he will receive accolades and praise from the mainstream music community, the likes that no other MC (past or present) has received. The hip hop collective gasped when Eminem was introduced as “The most dangerously talented person in hip hop history...”Those of us that were refreshed by Drake’s rise to fame and his fresh approach to music, crossed our fingers in hopes that we may actually have a hip hop representative to take home the “Best New Artist” award. While Esperanza Spalding is an amazingly talented musician, that was a big loss for hip hop. (Esperanza has received major backing and support from Q-Tip and Questlove of the Roots. Her talent is undeniable, but many people in and out of the music community were surprised by her win.) No performance by Nicki Minaj; the (2nd)most controversial woman in music and the only mainstream representative of women in hip hop? A thirty second performance by the kid who was nominated for a Grammy and sold 500,000 records without having a record deal? But we get two performances by Rihanna, and a surprise performance by the (currently) irrelevant Dr. Dre. (Detox in stores soon?)
Overall, I think the Grammys were good. They could’ve been great if they truly reflected the mainstream or popular hip hop/urban community. Maybe my hopes were too high? Maybe I expected more? Maybe next year Eminem won’t release an album so others in hip hop can shine…if only for one night.
Comments
Envy too much? You are a hater! Eminem made hip hop popular in the US and abroad. Hip hop is now played in Europe, South America, Africa, etc. because of Eminem only. I am a metal head and the only rapper I can listen is Eminem. Love his songs because I can actually understand the words. Love his live performances. BTW, the Grammys performance with Dr Dre and Skylar Grey was so powerful and heartfelt that only a hater like you cannot see. Fortunately you are almost alone in your opinions.
You are cross because a white artist won in a category you somehow feel should be reserved for black artists. Or that a white rapper performed instead of a black rapper. Imagine if someone complained that black artist Whitney Houston won a Grammy with a country song written by white songwriter Dolly Parton, arguing that country music was "white music" and spoke of "rural white experience".It’s obvious the Grammys should look at more than just a couple of rappers when they decide who has the rap album of the year or who will perform. What you’re missing is that Eminem is opening the doors for black artists that other people may not be listening too.Eminem is a proponent for black music.Eminem is already a classic artist. He has made it to a point not many other rappers have before.Strange when you think about it how Eminem has exceeded his mentor. How would have thought this 10 years ago? This is the 3rd time he isn’t receiving the album of year award when he should have.Twice before for MMLP and the Eminem Show. This has more to do with the fact that the Grammys don’t want to give too much relevance to hip hop. This doesn’t have to do with race. Eminem has clearly deserved the award for these 3 albums.Even if you dislike him it’s very hard to argue against.The fact is if Eminem would have won the album of the year award it would have done a lot to help hip hop.The outrage should be about how he was nominated for 10 awards and only received 2
I do not know what planet these other 2 people who have left comments are on, but Eminem does NOT represent Hip-Hop lol Are you crazy? MQ, you are really way out there with your comment. Eminem did NOT make popular Hip-Hop in the US or abroad. I can't even imagine where you could have pulled that from, haha! I'm not knocking him as being good, but he's not what you are saying he is in no way at all.
I agree with the writer of this post 100%. It has nothing to do with Eminem being white. I think your issue, MQ, is that YOU didn't start listening to Eminem until you saw another white face :)
Okay I'm an Eminem "lover?, but come on now..he is NOT the rapper or artist who opened the doors for hip hop...not at all. You said you are a "metal head", okay well then clearly you don't know enough about real hip hop or to degrade the writer of this column when this is what he does and knows...you stick to what you know and write about it. But don't try to come on here preaching that someone is racist (when he's clearly not) because you feel that a white rapper "paved" the way for real rap...c'mon son....
When you say "Maybe next year Eminem won’t release an album so others in hip hop can shine…if only for one night". Well, that will be the only way that somebody else has a shot. As long as Eminem writes and performs, he will outshine everybody else. He is THAT good!! So deal with it!!
Eminem is the GOAT deal with it hommie
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