... and the Grammy goes to...

NOT Kanye West!

I love when articles prove my point about issues. Especially when it pertains to, "America's Most Hated", Mr. Kanye West.

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Source: Lyndsey Parker of That Really Week blog.

"... The other big surprise snub of the 52nd Grammys was Kanye West's shutout in all of the major categories. While he did receive seven nominations, they were all in the Rap category, while his previous three albums (The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation) had all been up for Album Of The Year. His latest, 808s & Heartbreak, despite being a huge hit that garnered much critical praise (and certainly had a weepy comeback story behind it, since much of it was inspired by Kanye's mother's death), did not get an Album Of The Year nod. Additionally, its biggest track, "Heartless" (which was even popularly covered by both Kris Allen and the Fray), received no nominations at all.

There are many industry theories surrounding this snub as well, but of course the biggest one is that his bum rushing of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at this year's MTV Video Music Awards generated a massive amount of ill will among Grammy voters. Now the bright side for Taylor is, when she inevitably accepts some of her possible eight Grammys at next month's ceremony, she won't have to worry about Kanye interrupting her. There's a good chance he won't even be there."
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Sooooooo.... LET"S TALK!

Before the comments come back talking about how what Kanye did was horrible, and disrespectful I would just like to say I AGREE WITH YOU! Did Kanye look like a major douche at the VMA's? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY, but the actual act was there a point?

Did Beyonce have the greatest video of all time? Probably not, but did she have the best video of the year? According to the the same telecast she did. According to billboard and Soundscan charts, ITunes downloads, and radio airplay she DEFINITELY did. I mean everybody got in on the Single Ladies act. Even TV shows like SNL and GLEE.

I mean you win Video of the year as a woman, but don't win best female video?

Somehow this makes sense to everybody else, but me.

... but, I digress. This is not the point I am trying to argue, because that incident is old news. What I do want to appeal to are the people out there who get mad whenever a band, "sells out". The people who love underground music. The people who consider themselves artists in some way shape or form. The people who listen to music because of the talent and aren't willing to accept every single artist that comes out with excellent lip-syncing technique or the mastery of auto-tune.

The breakdown of nominations clearly shows that these Award shows are no longer based on music, and the talent, but more of a popularity contest. For Heartless to do all that it did this year, and for 808's and Heartbreak to sell like it did, and produce hit after hit to be overlooked is an injustice to artists everywhere. Kanye West's character flaws have nothing to do with his music. The music should speak for itself.

Maybe I'm crazy, or maybe I'm asking to much, but I would love to see someone prove me wrong.

Can you?

-D. Wright

"Popularity is not an indication of quality" -Vanna Bonta