The truth about the Grammy Awards (the artists vs the industry)

Описание: The Grammy Awards are often celebrated as the pinnacle of music recognition but the truth behind the golden gramophone is far more complicated. Born in the 1950s, the Grammys were not created by artists or fans, but by music industry executives who realized many influential musicians would never earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Initially considered “The Eddie” after Thomas Edison, a mail-in contest ultimately named them the “Grammy,” inspired by Emile Berliner’s gramophone. The first ceremony in 1959 awarded 28 prizes to legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, setting the stage for an industry-driven solution that has since become a global spectacle.

Today, the Grammy trophy itself is iconic handmade in Colorado from a specially formulated zinc alloy called “Grammium” but much of its prestige is part of the performance. Trophies shown during the broadcast are often reused “stunt trophies,” with real engraved awards presented later. Since 2000, the Grammys have been held at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, featuring red carpets, designer gowns, and high-profile performances that mesmerize global audiences.

Winning a Grammy can change careers, boost record sales, and elevate visibility. Beyoncé holds the record for most wins, Kendrick Lamar is the most awarded rapper, and artists like Billie Eilish, Adele, and Christopher Cross have claimed all four major general-field awards. Yet, the Grammys are not universally respected. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder declared, “I don’t think it means anything,” and Maynard James Keenan of Tool called it “a gigantic promotional machine” for the music industry.

Controversy has long followed the awards, from allegations of racial and gender bias to financial barriers for attending nominees. Artists like Tiffany Haddish and Rhiannon Giddens criticized costs and policies that made participation expensive, while Lorde spoke out against being denied a solo performance despite major nominations. Recording Academy insiders, including former CEO Deborah Dugan, have exposed systemic voting conflicts and questionable processes that favor industry politics over artistic merit.

Timestamps:
00:00 - 00:40 Introduction
00:41 - 01:52 The origin of the Grammy Awards
01:53 - 02:22 The Making of the Grammy itself
02:23 - 02:38 The venue where the ceremony holds
02:39 - 03:52 The nomination and voting process
03:53 - 04:43 Criticism of the Grammy Awards by Winners
04:44 - 05:51 Evolution of different award categories
05:52 - 06:32 Benefits of winning the Grammy Awards
06:33 - 07:41 Racial, Gender and Financial biases of the awards
07:42 - 08:48 Conclusion