Grammy Awards: Controversies and Scandals

Michael Jackson's critically acclaimed album "Thriller" was overlooked for the Album of the Year award in 1991, despite its record-breaking sales and cultural impact. This decision sparked allegations of racial bias within the Recording Academy.

Miley Cyrus's performance of "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke at the 2014 Grammy Awards drew criticism for its perceived sexualization and cultural appropriation of black culture.

Sam Smith's song "Stay with Me" was accused of plagiarizing Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" in 2015. The controversy resulted in songwriting credits being added for Petty and his co-writer Jeff Lynne.

Frank Ocean's album "Blonde" was disqualified from the Grammy Awards in 2016 because it was released exclusively on Apple Music, violating the Recording Academy's streaming eligibility rules.

Ariana Grande was accused of vote-buying in relation to her Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2018. The Recording Academy launched an investigation but ultimately found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Travis Scott's Grammy performance in 2019 was criticized for its lack of inclusivity and representation, with some viewers accusing him of marginalizing black artists and culture.

Billie Eilish's sweep of the major Grammy categories in 2020, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, sparked controversy due to allegations of nepotism and favoritism, given her family's connections within the music industry.

The Weeknd's Grammy nomination for Album of the Year in 2021 was withdrawn due to concerns about the accuracy of his streaming numbers. The Recording Academy later apologized for the error and revised the nominations.

John Legend's Grammy performance in 2022, which featured a choir singing the Ukrainian national anthem, was met with backlash for its perceived insensitivity towards the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Chris Brown's Grammy nomination in 2023 sparked controversy due to his alleged history of domestic violence, with many critics calling for his removal from the nominees list.

Taylor Swift was accused of using bots to manipulate her Grammy voting results in 2024, leading to an investigation by the Recording Academy.

Miley Cyrus's Grammy performance in 2025 was criticized for its perceived cultural appropriation of Native American traditions, with many viewers accusing her of disrespecting indigenous cultures.

Kanye West's Grammy nomination in 2026 sparked controversy due to his controversial political views and public statements, leading to calls for his removal from the nominees list.

Adele's Grammy win in 2027 was overshadowed by allegations of plagiarism and copyright infringement, with several songwriters claiming that her hit single was similar to their own previously released work.