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Are the Grammys still relevant?
- Thread starter Hambone70
- Start date
They are relevant to the people who listen to that segment of music. Award shows have always taken a keyhole view of things, but music has always been the largest iceberg to which only the visible tip gets any attention. There are only so many US TV and movie productions in a year, but there are literally thousands of music releases a year in hundred of sub-genres to have to account for. The growth in digital production and distribution has only fragmented the music biz more.
It is easy to view the Grammys as the best of the worst. It is very hard for me not to say that the only way for music to be popular is for it to be bad. On rare occasions things I tolerate, or even like, win. I'm then faced with the intellectually dishonest thought of "well, at least they got that right" or with the realization that my tastes are just too particular.
It is best to not think to hard about it.
It is easy to view the Grammys as the best of the worst. It is very hard for me not to say that the only way for music to be popular is for it to be bad. On rare occasions things I tolerate, or even like, win. I'm then faced with the intellectually dishonest thought of "well, at least they got that right" or with the realization that my tastes are just too particular.
It is best to not think to hard about it.
I mean, I'm not the guy doing anything, I couldn't stop the vapidity, real or imagined, of the music industry if I wanted to - and I can attest that I did indeed try.
In this years particular case, with This is America, maybe it was. I'm not a rap fan AT ALL. However, this song, and the video, really grabbed me. I have to admit a little bias, as I think Donald Glover is a cool guy and I loved him on the TV show Community. That aside, it is a frighteningly poignant song that managed to slam a few different musical emotions together.
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It's never been relevant, no critic ever has: the market decides, not the critics.
Remember when Jethro Tull won "Best Metal Performance" in lieu of Metallkica, or when Deca called The Beatles (and the entire still of "guitar music" they played) a "fad"?
It's a matter of perspective.
I’m ready to bet that most (if not all) that commented on the irrelevancy of the Grammys were never nominated (much less won) a Grammy.
Let’s be honest, anyone here who would win a Grammy would be on that stage, in a tux, thanking everyone from their producer to their grandmother.
Why? It’s exposure.
I’m not watching or following the Grammys. I never have. But if they ever give me one, you can bet I’ll say it’s the greatest honor in my life.
Some will say it’s selling out, some will say it’s business acumen.
In the meantime, I`ll keep playing music because I like to.
Irrelevant. Recall the episode of The Office where they debate whether Hillary Swank is hot. Kevin rightly points out that the game is "Is she hot?" NOT "Would you do her?"
Same principle applies here.
Grammys are relevant to those nominated and their fans. Which is fine by me. But it never affected who I listen to, so it's never had much relevance in my life. Still, you guys sound like a bunch of old "Get off my lawn" types. Music changes over the years, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. So what? Put on your favorite music and have yourselves a nice tall glass of get over it juice 
I don't disagree with you on most fronts, and I've never paid attention to the Grammys. But almost by definition, these people are announcing to the world that the music they're celebrating and fawning over is somehow the "best," when in fact, a huge amount of it is laughably NOT the best, by a longshot. I guess I just don't like other people telling me "how things are," when in fact I know that that's NOT how things are...Grammys are relevant to those nominated and their fans. Which is fine by me. But it never affected who I listen to, so it's never had much relevance in my life. Still, you guys sound like a bunch of old "Get off my lawn" types. Music changes over the years, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. So what? Put on your favorite music and have yourselves a nice tall glass of get over it juice
Based on most every response here....these Grammy's are worthless and nobody watches it... There is NO real proof that anybody actually tunes in a watches this garbage, unless you actually believe the corrupt Nielsen ratting BS...... It all perception... We know it's one big circle jerk..... I have a friend that worked for Billboard magazine for many years...eventually quite... He told me everything is falsified...The record sales are all falsified to make the general public "believe" that the album is a top seller... This makes for the "herd" effect..where sheaple run out to buy records based on what MEDIA is telling them.... How many times can Taylor Swift win for the last 10 years....come on already there are other really good artist that need a chance.....
Sure they are and I’m happy that there is still a platform that recognizes artists , musicians and live music.
For as hard a musician or starving artist works to get a $50-100 gig , I’m glad that there are musicians making real money and getting paid.
Now I don’t listen to 90% of the music played but I always hear something I like.
For as hard a musician or starving artist works to get a $50-100 gig , I’m glad that there are musicians making real money and getting paid.
Now I don’t listen to 90% of the music played but I always hear something I like.
You're wrong. Likes, memes and such is nothing more than exposure. Which has been prevalent in popular music for decades. The "leaked" stories about parties and destroyed hotel rooms, Madonna talking about her crotch or how many times your video was on MTV, all pretty much the same thing with different technology.
