Halsey: Grammy nominations are all about ‘good handshakes and bribes’

Halsey denounces being snubbed by the Grammys, saying there is a bribe system in place that dictates the nomination process.

“I thought about it and wanted to choose my words carefully because a lot of people have expressed their sympathy and apologies to me since the Grammy nominations,” she wrote in her Instagram Stories on Saturday.

The Grammy nominations were announced on November 24. The ceremony will air on CBS on January 31.

Halsey, 26, born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, is a former student of Warren Hills Regional High School in Washington. His third album, “Manic”, was released in January. “Without Me,” a single from the album that preceded its release, topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019, but Halsey received no Grammy nominations for her work this year.

The singer-songwriter has been nominated for two Grammys in her career – both in 2016.

She received a nod for Best Pop Duo / Group Performance with The Chainsmokers for their hit song “Closer”. She also shared Justin Bieber’s Album of the Year nomination for contributing to his album “Purpose.”

Artists such as Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion and last year’s big winner Billie Eilish are found throughout the 2020 Grammy nominations. But there are some notable absences from the list.

“The Grammys are an elusive process,” Halsey said in her post. “It can often be private performances behind the scenes, getting to know the right people, campaigning in the vineyard, with the right handshakes and ‘bribes’ that can be just ambiguous enough to pass. for “no bribes”. And if you get that far, it’s all about engaging in exclusive TV performances and making sure you help the Academy earn millions in publicity on the night of the show. “

“Maybe sometimes it is (!!) but it’s not always about the music, the quality or the culture,” Halsey continued. “I just wanted to get it off my chest. @theweeknd deserves better, and Manic did too … maybe it’s outrageous of me to say it, but I don’t care. While I look forward to my talented friends who have been recognized this year, I hope for more transparency or reform. But I’m sure this post will blacklist me anyway.

The weekend, who had one of the biggest hits of the year in his No. 1 song “Blinding Lights”, is considered a huge snub for 2020.

“The Grammys remain corrupt,” he tweeted after the nominations were announced. “You owe me, my fans and the transparency of the industry …”

The Weeknd later said he would no longer perform at the Grammys despite having planned to sing at the show.

“Collaboratively planning a show for weeks without being invited?” he tweeted. “In my opinion, no nomination = you are not invited!”

Harvey Mason Jr., president and interim president of the Recording Academy, told Billboard that The Weeknd’s statements had “saddened” him.

“I’m trying to figure out where this is coming from, but it was hard to hear,” he says. “I can understand that he is disappointed (to be excluded). Everyone at the academy understands that he is disappointed. I was personally surprised that he was not nominated.

Another snub that followed the Grammys announcement was Fiona Apple, whose album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” received wide acclaim at the start of the pandemic.

Apple was nominated in the rock performance, rock song, and alternative music album categories, but not for Album of the Year.

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Amy Kuperinsky can be contacted at [email protected].