Hey everyone, welcome. Recently, Cardi B and Offset took aim at Wiz Khalifa following his response to a comment about Cardi’s Grammy win over Nicki Minaj. Azalea Banks also jumped in, stirring up some drama. But before delving into this tangled story, let’s backtrack a bit.
The Recording Academy recently unveiled the nominees for the 2021 Grammys, sparking widespread outrage over some major artists being overlooked. Notably, The Weeknd’s “The Grammys remain corrupt” received zero nominations despite his album “After Hours” and single “Blinding Lights” dominating charts. The Weeknd voiced his discontent, demanding transparency, and highlighting one of the many criticisms the Grammys face. Often, deserving artists are ignored due to murky politics. Those who don’t play nice with the Grammy board or lack connections find themselves sidelined. It’s a shady game, to say the least.
Rumors circulated that The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance rubbed some Grammys bigwigs the wrong way. They allegedly wanted him at their show, and when he didn’t comply, they snubbed him deliberately. This saga underscores the corruption within those in power, echoing former Grammys president and CEO Deborah Dugan’s exposé. Her revelations shed light on the industry’s dark practices, impacting numerous artists. While many Grammy winners rightfully earned their awards, countless others, especially in hip-hop, have faced snubs and disrespect.
Prominent figures like Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Nas, J. Cole, DMX, and Nicki Minaj stand as pillars in hip-hop culture, yet they’ve never been honored with a Grammy. Even Diana Ross, renowned as “The Boss,” has been overlooked throughout her illustrious career, receiving a lifetime achievement award only as an afterthought. Bob Marley faced a similar fate, his Grammy seemingly a belated acknowledgment of his immense influence.
The Grammy Awards have a history of snubbing deserving artists, a fact that Tiana Taylor recently underscored by highlighting the overlooked female R&B talents of our time: Summer Walker, Brandy, H.E.R., Victoria Monét, Ari Lennox, Tinashe, and Tiana herself.
Nicki Minaj’s criticism of the Grammys is rooted in personal experience. Despite her groundbreaking achievements, such as having seven songs simultaneously on Billboard charts and a record-breaking debut album, she was passed over for the Best New Artist award in favor of Bon Iver, a decision she views as unjust. Moreover, Nicki’s career was further hindered by alleged blackballing from Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich, stemming from controversy surrounding her performance of “Roman Holiday.”
The irony of Cardi B receiving a Grammy before Nicki has not gone unnoticed. Speculation even emerged that Cardi’s award was bought by her label, Atlantic Records, as suggested by accusations from the Academy Music Business. However, Cardi vehemently denies these claims, dismissing them as baseless and emphasizing her genuine merit as an artist.
Cardi took to Instagram Live to address accusations that she bought her Grammy, calling out a company for allegedly scamming artists. She expressed frustration with a tweet that went viral, using the Grammy’s name for traction. She labeled the individual behind it as a scammer with no genuine credentials from the Grammys.
Reflecting on her past nominations, she questioned why, if there were claims her label bought awards, they didn’t secure her win when she lost in 2018. She emphasized the hard work she put into her music and album, regardless of Grammy wins. Cardi defended herself against accusations, stating she worked tirelessly for her success. She also clarified that if others were upset about their favorite artists not winning, it wasn’t her fault, as she wasn’t nominated alongside them.
In conclusion, Cardi denied buying her Grammy and asserted her dedication to her craft.
So, Cardi responded to accusations regarding her label supposedly paying for her Grammy. She also addressed Wiz Khalifa’s remarks. When Wiz Khalifa commented on a tweet about Cardi winning a Grammy before Nicki, suggesting it as evidence of the industry’s lack of musical knowledge, Cardi took offense. She shared a DM from Wiz sent in 2016, praising her dedication and advising her to stay true to herself. Cardi expressed frustration at men who fuel conflict between successful women and called out Wiz for changing his tune. Offset, Cardi’s husband, chimed in, labeling such behavior as disingenuous.
Later, Wiz retracted his comments, acknowledging Cardi’s self-made status. However, some criticized his flip-flopping. Despite Wiz’s backtrack, Cardi perceived his initial remarks as shading her and responded accordingly.
Then, Azalea Banks unexpectedly attacked Cardi, accusing her of benefiting from others’ misfortunes and lacking authenticity. Azalea referenced Atlantic Records allegedly seeking out artists to rival Nicki, including an incident involving Lady Lasher. Azalea criticized Cardi’s tendency to play the victim and evade accountability, urging her to recognize her role in perpetuating conflicts.
Cardi B’s sister, Hennessy, defended her against criticism, highlighting that blaming Cardi for someone else’s loss years prior is unjust. She emphasized that Cardi wasn’t even present during the creation of “Invasion of Privacy,” and the album consisted of purchased tracks spanning a decade. Coming from the Bronx, immersed in hip-hop culture since birth, their authenticity in the genre is unquestionable. Azalea Banks, stirring the pot as usual, questioned the sudden reluctance to mention Nicki’s name by Cardi and her sister, hinting at underlying motives. Personally, I believe the Grammys are tainted with corruption, evident in Nicki’s snub despite her undeniable success. Yet, I also support Cardi’s deserving Grammy win for “Invasion of Privacy,” although it’s not a widely held opinion. The issue lies not with the artists but with the flawed institution of the Grammys. It’s high time artists reassess their reverence for an establishment that consistently overlooks and disrespects talent. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this topic. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video. Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, take care.