Early every year, the Grammys come along, and every year someone gets snubbed. There are those who get nominated and lose—that’s one thing. But there are also those who never even got the nod.
This year, Kanye West retains his title as “king of the snubbed.” His album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” which was near the top of almost everyone’s list last year, was ignored for the album of the year category. Sure, West was nominated in seven other categories, but album of the year has once again eluded him.
This playlist goes out to all those who have been snubbed, looked down on and otherwise ignored at the Grammys.
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“Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
In 1992, Nirvana ruled the world. Kurt Cobain and the boys came along and put the nail in the coffin of the longhaired, glam rock echo chamber of the 1980s. After changing the face of rock music once and for all, Nirvana should have been a shoe-in for the best rock song of the year award, right? Wrong. That title went to a slowed-down version of Eric Clapton’s “Layla,” a song originally recorded in 1970. Smells like garbage.
“Video” – India Arie
Between India Arie and Alicia Keys, R&B had a great year in 2001. When Arie was nominated for seven Grammys, and when “Acoustic Soul” went double platinum, she thought her career had been made. But then she went home with none. Keys took home five. Guess whose career skyrocketed from there?
“Kashmir” – Led Zeppelin
In 2005, Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones appeared at the Grammys to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award. Singer Robert Plant just sent a video message. Page and Jones accused their former band mate of snubbing them and drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980.
“Parents Just Don’t Understand” – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
This song, for better or worse, actually won a Grammy for best hip hop song in 1989. So why is it on this list? Hip hop was first added to the list of Grammy awards in 1989, but those in charge decided not to air it on television. It was the first of a long list of snubs against the genre.
“Baby” – Justin Bieber
Some people were surprised when Bieber’s “My World 2.0” wasn’t nominated for album of the year last year. Here’s proof that not all snubs are bad.
“Stan” – Eminem
The year 2000 was supposed to bring flying cars, robot servants and food that comes in a tasty pill form. Instead we got Korn. Still, a terrific battle for album of the year was set to rage against Eminem’s incendiary “The Marshall Mathers LP” and Radiohead’s groundbreaking “OK, Computer.” Both albums transformed their respective genres, and both met critical acclaim. So, naturally, Steely Dan took the award home that year.
