Throughout the year, music artists put forth an immeasurable amount of effort as they work on writing heartfelt lyrics and putting together new sounds for their listeners. Chances are that this past year, one of your favorite artists either produced a new album or announced the arrival of upcoming music. But have you ever wondered what inspires them to continue doing so? Maybe they are simply in it for the money and fame. Or perhaps setting their thoughts to music and sharing their emotions with the world provides them with a sense of comfort. Whatever the reason may be, it can universally be agreed upon that one of the most rewarding aspects of any career is having one’s hard work acknowledged. In the music industry, an event that is best known for accomplishing this is the Grammys.  

          For the past sixty-seven years, artists have come together to recognize and celebrate their efforts in creating new music throughout the previous year. Many music enthusiasts look forward to watching the Grammys in hopes of getting to see their favorite artists be awarded one of the coveted gold gramophones. Leading up to each ceremony, members of the Recording Academy vote on Grammy submissions through a series of multiple rounds before ultimately deciding which artist will earn the award. With 94 categories, it is hard to imagine that some musicians or albums may not receive the recognition they deserve. However, many believe that the Academy’s decisions do not accurately reflect the views of the fans.

          Countless individuals believe that just this past year, many popular artists were “snubbed” with the unfair distribution of several Grammy awards. Seeing musicians such as Billie Eilish and Kacey Musgraves leave the ceremony empty-handed left listeners feeling confused and upset. But were the decisions that were made truly unfair? Or is there possibly another reason behind the choices of the Recording Academy?

          One of the most notable disputes of the evening was over Beyoncé taking home the award for Best Country Album. Considering Cowboy Carter is Beyoncé’s first-ever country record, many people did not anticipate it being very successful in its genre. Also knowing that she was nominated alongside artists such as Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, and Kacey Musgraves, plenty of individuals thought that Beyoncé didn’t stand a chance. However, despite the unlikely odds, Cowboy Carter came out on top. Not only was the outcome shocking, but those who enjoy country music found Beyoncé’s victory incredibly unfair. Many have said that Cowboy Carter did not deserve the title and that its winning disregards the work of those who are more experienced when it comes to country music. But what if Beyoncé’s win could be viewed as something other than disrespect towards older country artists? What if instead, it represents how the music industry is ever-changing?

          Beyoncé’s win over Best Country Album may have been a big deal to many people, but it certainly was not the only controversial event of the evening. Many viewers were also upset with the winning result for Album of the Year. With artists such as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX as nominees, the category was one of the most anticipated. Fans did not have the slightest idea as to who the award would go to, but it was most certainly a surprise when it was announced that Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter was taking home yet another award. While Beyoncé received plenty of congratulations on her victory, several individuals couldn’t help but wonder how Cowboy Carter was successful yet again. Many believe that other nominated albums such as Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft or Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, were much more deserving of the award, considering their impact and popularity in 2024. However, this was the first time Beyoncé has ever won Album of the Year after being nominated for the award five times. So, do the fans have a legitimate reason to criticize Cowboy Carter’s success? Or is it time Beyoncé finally got the recognition that many feel she deserves?

          Finally, one of the biggest disagreements of the evening involved the results for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Surprisingly, to many viewers, Kendrick Lamar’s hit single, “Not Like Us,” was awarded not just one, but both of the titles. Similar to the controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s wins, many believe that the song’s impact in 2024 simply did not compare to that of the other nominations. While “Not Like Us” definitely had its moment throughout the previous year, many argue that Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe” or Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” had much more influence and popularity. However, “Not Like Us” definitely saw its time of day, so do listeners truly have the right to criticize Lamar’s achievement?

          Overall, the Grammys are an exclusive event that attempts to showcase some of music’s most significant moments throughout the year. With a diverse range of categories, tons of artists and genres are represented. However, many individuals are highly critical of the Recording Academy’s decisions. Oftentimes, winners are deemed “unworthy” by listeners when accepting their awards, although there was much more controversy surrounding this year’s ceremony. With some incredible nominees, many individuals were angered by several of the outcomes. But in the end, it is essential to remember the hard work that went into creating all of the new music in 2024 because, without the dedication of musicians, we would not have the music that we do today.