Why Do We Still Have Grammy Awards?
Nov 12, 2024Grammy Awards: Why They Still Matter in Music Today
You’ve got to be living under a rock if you are a musician and haven’t heard of the Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards are perhaps the most well-known and prestigious music award show. The trademark shiny golden gramophone isn’t just another shiny trophy but it’s one of the biggest signs that an artist has “made it big”! But with a world that’s more interested in streaming, social media, and viral TikTok hits, the question obviously arises- Do we still need the Grammy Awards?
We’ll be taking a look at the following:
What Are The Grammy Awards?
The Grammy Awards are like the Oscars of the music world—a dazzling celebration of the year’s best tunes, performers, and producers. First held in 1959, the Grammys have become synonymous with musical excellence, recognizing artists across a variety of genres. Overseen by the Recording Academy, an organization of music professionals, the awards carry serious clout, with winners often seeing their careers skyrocket after a big win.
The Grammy Awards have a wide range of categories covering everything from pop to rock and classical to world music and this is what sets it apart. Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist are the most coveted titles that the awards have to offer. Winning one of these can give the artist some major bragging rights! But it’s not just the "big four"—there are over 80 categories which the awards cover.
However, no award show is without its share of controversy, and the Grammys are no exception. Critics have accused the Recording Academy of favouring mainstream artists over indie acts, with complaints about a lack of diversity and fairness in the voting process. Artists like Kendrick Lamar, Charli xcx, Eminem and The Weeknd have criticised the Grammys for various reasons like its voting process, gender representation and racial equality. The 2019 Grammy debacle, where the academy’s former CEO accused the organization of misconduct, only added fuel to the fire. However, despite all the drama, the Grammys continue to evolve and keep the music industry abuzz.
Why Are The Grammy Awards So Special?
In the vast spectrum of Music Awards, what makes the Grammys stand out? A Grammy win is not just a trophy; it’s a symbol of artistic excellence and a career-defining moment for many musicians. Musicians strive and dream about winning a Grammy because of its goodwill and credibility. Winning a Grammy can be a game-changer, boosting both an artist's visibility and sales.
National Public Radio notes that a Grammy can boost an album up the charts or take a career to the next level. In short, snagging a Grammy isn't just about the recognition—it often fuels commercial success and can be the big break that turns an artist into a household name.
Here’s how a Grammy win launched these artists into superstardom:
- Billie Eilish - After sweeping the 2020 Grammys, winning all the "Big Four" categories, Billie became a global icon overnight. Her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? became an instant classic.
- Adele - Adele’s 2012 Grammy sweep for 21, where she took home six awards, cemented her as a global powerhouse, instantly elevating her career.
- Alessia Cara - Winning Best New Artist in 2018 gave Alessia Cara the mainstream recognition she needed, propelling her into the pop spotlight.
- Chance the Rapper - In 2017, Chance made history by winning without selling physical albums, proving the Grammys can still change the game in today’s digital age.
- Norah Jones - Her 2003 Grammy wins turned Norah Jones into a household name, bringing her soulful blend of jazz and pop to a much wider audience.
Even in today’s social media-driven world, where virality can make a star overnight, the Grammys offer an unparalleled level of credibility. The golden gramophone still carries massive weight in the industry.
But before we go any further, if you'd like to submit your music to the Grammys and need some help, we're members of The Recording Academy and offer a specialized service to help you with the submission process. If you're interested in taking your music to the next level, get in touch with us today!
How Important Is It To Win A Grammy?
While we debate whether awards define an artist’s success or not, a Grammy win has proven to change the trajectory of an artist’s career. Winning a Grammy is a huge spike in financial success as well as artist credibility and validation. This gives the artists a much-needed boost, not only from fans but from peers within the industry in an already competitive and ever-changing industry.
A Grammy can also open the doors to newer opportunities, collaborations as well as better record deals. It’s why artists still campaign for nominations, and even veterans of the industry, like Taylor Swift or Kendrick Lamar, still light up when their names are called. Apart from that, Grammy wins have seen significant spikes in sales and streams which is some considerable validation for the artists. For example, Jon Batiste’s album ‘We Are’ was released in March 2021 but won the Grammy for Album of the Year in April 2022 which resulted in a massive spike in streams and listens.
Thus, while the industry grows and Independent and DIY Artists constantly shift the importance of traditional awards and award shows, winning a Grammy still holds a lot of validation and weight for musicians and the industry.
Are The Grammy Awards Still Relevant?
Now to the million-dollar question. With the rise of Indie and DIY artists and the digital era of the music industry and music fans more likely to stream the next viral sensation on TikTok or Instagram, are the Grammys still relevant? The answer is yes- but with an asterisk.
We have to understand that the Grammys or any music awards for that matter are not just three-hour-long television programmes but a celebration of music and artists. These award shows, especially the Grammys, are on the top due to their credibility and how they validate artists. The Grammys have some of the biggest artists in the world perform their music on a global platform too.
Recent studies have shown how the validation from winning or even getting nominated at an award show has shaped and positively impacted the career trajectories of artists both creatively and financially. The scale at which the Grammys are hosted and showcased makes the artists work in much more creative and innovative ways which positively impacts their career trajectory.
The Grammys have faced their fair share of criticism. Controversies surrounding diversity, voting transparency, and accusations of favouring commercials over indie artists have certainly tarnished the show's image in recent years. However, the Recording Academy has made efforts to evolve, introducing new categories and ensuring more diversity among nominees.
What Is The Future of The Grammys Like?
The future of the Grammys will depend on how well they can adapt to an industry that’s constantly evolving. With music being consumed in different ways and fans engaging with artists more directly on social media, the Grammys will need to stay in touch with the times. This might mean fewer categories that feel outdated and more inclusion of genres and artists who represent the current music landscape.
Additionally, transparency in the nomination and voting process will be key to maintaining trust. The 2019 scandal surrounding Deborah Dugan’s allegations of misconduct within the Recording Academy brought these issues to the forefront. Moving forward, the Grammy Awards will need to focus on fairness and ensuring they remain a true reflection of the best music out there.
Our Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Grammys aren’t just about the awards—they’re about celebrating the magic of music. While their relevance may be questioned in the digital era of music, the prestige of winning a Grammy, the recognition from peers, and the platform it provides for artists make it clear why we still have the Grammy Awards. The Grammys like many other Music Award shows might need to evolve, but the world of music would feel a little less shiny without that annual night where the industry’s best come together to honour their craft.
We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!
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