It’s no secret that the Grammys doesn’t always get it right. Whether it’s controversy over categorization, snubbing Black artists, excluding women or ignoring popularity, there have been some pretty egregious Grammy snubs over the years.
Over the years, many artists have spoken out about perceived injustices at the Grammys, with some famous stars even choosing to boycott the award show entirely. In recent years, seen it time and time again with them repeatedly snubbing Beyoncé in the Album of the Year category, despite her winning the most Grammy Awards in history, and with women being left out of rap categories. But snubs have been happening for decades, as far back as when bands such as The Velvet Underground & Nico and Nirvana were excluded from the show despite their commercial success.
At the 2025 Grammy Awards on February 3, the music industry will be celebrating the best of music over the past year with major wins expected for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and Charli XCX’s Brat. However, if any of these stars experience a snub, they can expect to join this long list of the Grammys’ wrongdoings.
Below, check out the biggest Grammy snubs over the years.
The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours’ Wasn’t Even Nominated
The Weeknd’s After Hours didn’t obtain a single nomination in 2021, and thus, many discredited the awards show and considered it the ultimate snub. The Weeknd then called the award show out, and has been an outspoken critic since.
Adele Won ‘Album of the Year’ Over Beyonce in 2017
Back in 2017, many found the decision to choose Adele’s album 25 to win over Beyonce’s album Lemonade extremely controversial. However, Beyonce did win other Grammys that night, such as Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best Music Video for “Formation,” and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Beyonce Lost ‘Album of the Year’ to Beck in 2015
Many found it shocking that Beck’s album Morning Phase won over Beyonce’s self-titled album in 2015. But, Beyonce still won big by snagging the Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song awards for “Drunk in Love,” and the sound mixers got the award for Best Surround Sound Album.
Daft Punk Won ‘Album of the Year’ Over Kendrick Lamar in 2014
One of the biggest snubs in recent Grammy history was probably when Daft Punk Won Album of the Year over Kendrick Lamar at the 2014 Grammys. Specifically, many found it shocking that good kid, m.A.A.d city didn’t win over Random Access Memories.
(But it did win Best Rap Album!)
Mumford & Sons Won ‘Album of the Year’ Over Frank Ocean
Back in 2013, Mumford & Sons’s album Babel won over The Black Keys’s El Camino, Fun.’s Some Nights, Frank Ocean’s channel ORANGE, and Jack White’s Blunderbuss. Many found this controversial, and believed OCean’s record should’ve won the coveted award instead.
Lady Gaga Lost ‘Album of the Year’ to Arcade Fire in 2011
Lady Gaga’s iconic album The Fame Monster was nominated for Album of the Year, but lost to Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs at the 2011 Grammys. Other albums nominated for the category were Eminem’s Recovery, Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, and Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now.
Herbie Hancock Won ‘Album of the Year’ Over Amy Winehouse in 2008
Back in 2008, Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year over Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, which many considered a major snub to Winehouse’s iconic album. However, the song from the album “Rehab” won Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and Winehouse won Best New Artist.
Shawn Colvin Won ‘Song of the Year’ Over No Doubt in 1998
At the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, No Doubt lost Song of the Year at the Grammys to Shawn Colvin, meaning “Sunny Came Home” won over “Don’t Speak.”
Nirvana Lost ‘Best Alternative Album’ to R.E.M in 1992
Nirvana’s album Nevermind was nominated alongside R.E.M.’s Out of Time in 1992, alongside Crowded House’s album Woodface, Fishbone’s album The Reality of My Surroundings, and Matthew Sweet’s album Girlfriend. R.E.M. won over all of them, with many thinking it was a snub to Nirvana’s influential album. In fact, that album didn’t win any Grammy awards, shockingly enough.
The Police Won ‘Song of the Year’ Over Michael Jackson in 1984
While Michael Jackson did win eight Grammys in 1984, he did lose Song of the Year to The Police. In case you need a refresher, his song “Billie Jean” lost to “Every Breath You Take.”
Bob Marley & the Wailers Weren’t Nominated for ‘Exodus’
One of the all-time biggest snubs was when Bob Marley & the Wailers’s album Exodus wasn’t even nominated back in 1977.
The Velvet Underground & Nico Weren’t Nominated in 1967
The Velvet Underground & Nico’s legendary debut album wasn’t nominated in 1967 for literally any Grammys, and many find this one of the biggest snubs to date.
The Kinks Were Entirely Snubbed for Their Record ‘You Really Got Me’
Despite being an iconic record, The Kinks’ record You Really Got Me wasn’t even nominated. In that year, 1964, the Grammy Award for Album of the Year went to Getz/Gilberto, an album by Stan Getz and João Gilberto.
‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline Wasn’t Nominated
Back in 1961, many were appalled that ‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline wasn’t nominated for any Grammys.
Leave a Comment