The 2018 Grammys Didn't Really Believe That "Time's Up" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The 2018 Grammys Didn't Really Believe That "Time's Up"

The 60th annual Grammy Awards slighted its female nominees all night.

211
The 2018 Grammys Didn't Really Believe That "Time's Up"
Max Pixel

The 2018 Grammy Awards featured some of music's biggest stars sporting white roses on the red carpet in support of the #MeToo movement. The Voices in Entertainment organization prompted the accessory as a way to fight for “equal representation in the workplace... and a heightened awareness of accountability that our sisters started on January 1st and continued through the Golden Globes and onward.” However, the Time's Up initiative didn't move past the red carpet into the actual Grammy awards, as the 60th annual Grammy Awards slighted its female nominees all night long on Jan. 28, proving that the Recording Academy didn't truly believe that time's up.

The Grammy Awards focus most of the night on inviting performers on stage, only presenting a few awards throughout the show. However, as the night went on, slowly but surely man after man approached the mic and recited his thanks. If you don't remember any women accepting awards during the show, that's because only one woman (Alessia Cara) won an award on-air.

This might seem reasonable for an awards show that doesn't present many awards throughout the night, as long as you don't think too hard about the fact that for the past five years, only 9 percent of the Grammy nominees have been women, according to a report done by the University of California and cited by Time magazine. Seriously. Don't think about it too much, because it might make it seem a bit more unfair. Or actually, do think about it. Think about it a lot. Because that's absurd, considering all of the talented women out there making amazing music.

One of the best moments of the night was when Kesha performed "Praying" with a handful of other female artists singing alongside her. The performance was moving and powerful, and it served to focus on the #MeToo movement and empower survivors of sexual assault. The performance showcased Kesha's courage and strength, and it left many people in tears. And luckily, it was even nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance. Except that it didn't win.

The nominees for Best Pop Solo Performance were "Praying" by Kesha, "Million Reasons" by Lady Gaga, "What About Us" by P!nk, "Love So Soft" by Kelly Clarkson, and "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran. For those of you playing at home, that's four songs by women and one song by a man. Ed Sheeran won.

It isn't that I think only women should win awards or that I don't think Ed Sheeran should have won because he's a man. However, Ed Sheeran's song is a standard run-of-the-mill pop song. It isn't bad, but it isn't award-worthy either. It isn't his strongest song; it isn't even his strongest song on Divide. He didn't intend to keep the song for himself when he wrote it. He wasn't even sure that he was going to put it on Divide. But he won anyway.

Once the biggest award of the night, Album of the Year, came along, it was pretty clear that Bruno Mars was going to continue his sweep. But if you think about the nominees for Album of the Year-- Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, JAY-Z and Lorde-- they have a few things in common. First, they're all men except for Lorde. Second, they all performed at the show, except for JAY-Z and Lorde.

Sure, it's true that the Grammy Awards have a jam-packed performance schedule and that they can't have every nominated artist perform. JAY-Z didn't get to perform either. However, Lorde was already the only woman nominated for Album of the Year, and the uncomfortable situation didn't stop there. While Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino were all offered spots to sing their own music from their nominated albums, Lorde was only offered to perform in a group, singing a cover as a tribute to the late Tom Petty. Lorde declined the offer, since she wanted to sing her own music at the show.

And can you blame her? Lorde's Melodrama is a true piece of art. It earned a nomination, but it apparently didn't earn it as much as the male nominee's albums earned their nominations. If they regarded Lorde's music on the same level as the male nominees' music, she would have been offered a spot to sing a song from her nominated work.

As if slighting female nominees all night during the Grammy Awards wasn't enough, the icing on the faux "Time's Up" cake was when the gender inequality of the evening was pointed out to Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. He responded by saying "I think it has to begin with women who have the creativity in their hearts and their souls who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, who want to be producers, who want to be part of the industry on an executive level to step up."

I'm not sure why the president of the Recording Academy thinks that there aren't women in music already; I'm not sure why he has suggested that the women in music aren't creative or dedicated; and I'm not even going to touch on his suggestion that it is women's fault that only 9 percent of Grammy nominees are women. There's a lot to unpack here, folks. Be careful, though: you might hit your head on the glass ceiling.

Just as the music industry stars did that night after stepping off the red carpet and into Madison Square Garden for the 60th annual Grammy Awards.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

14927
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

6476
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4789
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

4216
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments