Grammy nominations reveal shocking results
The nominations for the 54th Grammy Awards were announced last Wednesday in Los Angeles, and many were unsatisfied with the results.
Leading the way, with a total of seven nominations, is Kanye West for his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
Although the album achieved critical and commercial success, it was not nominated for the prestigious Album of the Year award. He was only nominated for one major category, Song of the Year, for the track “All of the Lights.”
Many critics have claimed 2011 to be the breakthrough year for Adele because of her highly successful album “21,” and worldwide hit “Rolling in the Deep.” Yet, the English songstress came in a surprising second place to West with a total of six nominations.
Although her nominations include three of the “Big Four” categories, Album, Record, and Song of the Year, Adele was expected to walk away with the most nominations this year, not West.
With an unpredicted six nominations, Bruno Mars will be going head-to-head with the British singer for Record, Song, and Album of the Year with his single “Grenade” and debut album “Doo-Wops and Holligans.”
Rock band, Foo Fighters also tied with Mars and Adele with a total of six nods, but only nabbing one in a top category, Album of the Year for “Wasting Light.”
Following in the footsteps of Arcade Fire’s Album of the Year triumph at the previous Grammys, voters have continued to include indie artists, such as Bon Iver, in their nominations.
Bon Iver’s four nominations was by far the most surprising streak of nods. Without the support of radio or a major label, his track “Holocene” earned nominations in both Record and Song of the Year, not to mention he is also up for Best New Artist.
Justin Vernon, the bearded musician also known as Bon Iver, earned a stake in three-quarters of the “Big Four,” an achievement only matched by Mars and Adele. Being the most unpredictable nominee, Vernon has become the biggest Grammy story.
Bon Iver will duke it out against country band The Band Perry, dance act Skrillex, rapper-singer J.Cole, and the favorite to win, Nicki Minaj for the coveted Best New Artist award.
Along with surprising nominations came unexpected snubs, which include Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Gaga only managed to gain one nomination in a pivotal category this year, Album of the Year for “Born This Way,” and Swift did not gain any nominations in either one of the “Big Four” categories despite being one of the year’s top selling artists.
No matter how many predictions are made, it seems that Grammy voters will continue to pay no attention to them when casting their votes for the winners, which will be announced on Feb. 12, 2012 when the annual ceremony takes place.
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