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Top 10 Biggest Controversies In History That Rocked The Grammys; From Shocking Wins To On-Screen Surprises
Relive the excitement of past Grammy Awards with 10 jaw-dropping moments, from shocking wins to on-screen surprises, as we gear up for the 66th edition on February 4.
Get ready for the 66th Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 4, as we rewind and relive some of the most jaw-dropping and iconic moments from the show's storied history.
From surprising wins to unforgettable performances and unexpected twists, the Grammy Awards have been a rollercoaster of events in the realm of music. Take a look into the Top 10 biggest controversies and moments in history that rocked the Grammys, from controversial wins to lip-synching scandals and many more downright memorable incidents that have made the Grammys the music extravaganza we can't get enough of!
Top 10 biggest controversies and moments of the Grammy's till now
10. The 1989 controversy of Jethro Tull's win over Metallica
Metal fans are still upset with the Grammys over a surprising 1989 moment. At the 31st Grammy Awards, Alice Cooper surprised everyone by announcing Jethro Tull's win over Metallica for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. People were unhappy for a few reasons – Metallica was the favorite, and merging the genres didn't sit well, especially since Jethro Tull wasn't considered metal.
Thankfully, the Recording Academy created separate categories for both genres the next year. Interestingly, in 1992, Metallica acknowledged the band that had beaten them while accepting the award for Best Metal Performance!
9. Mariah Carey's Grammy let down
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At the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in 1996, Mariah Carey faced an unexpected disappointment. Despite a stellar year with her album Daydream and multiple hit singles earning nominations, Carey left the ceremony without a single win. This snub surprised many, as she not only had a standout year but also opened the show, sparking expectations of a Grammy sweep.
While occasional oversights are common, Carey's snub was notable. Fortunately, a decade later, justice was partially served when she received three Grammys for her album The Emancipation of Mimi.
8. Soy Bomb Interrupts Bob Dylan's Moment
In 1998, performance artist Soy Bomb Guy created a stir by crashing Bob Dylan's set. During Dylan's performance of Love Sick, a shirtless backup dancer appeared with the words SOY BOMB painted on his chest. While dancing energetically next to Dylan, the singer looked perplexed but continued his performance without missing a beat. The intruder later revealed as respected performance artist Michael Portnoy, was swiftly removed from the stage. Portnoy explained that Soy symbolized dense nutritional life, while a Bomb represented an explosive force. According to him, the soy bomb embodied what he believed art should be: dense, transformational, and explosively alive.
7. J.Lo's Iconic Dress: A Grammy Moment That Created Google Image
At the 2000 Grammys, Jennifer Lopez made history with a dress that not only turned heads but also changed the internet forever. Wearing a daring green sheer Versace dress with a plunging neckline, Lopez captivated both the onlookers and those watching from home. Despite not winning a Grammy that night, she stole the show with one of the most daring looks the Grammys had ever witnessed. The frenzy to find photos of Lopez was so intense and widespread that it led to the creation of Google Images.
6. Elton John and Eminem's Surprising Grammy Collaboration
In 2001, the Grammys witnessed an unexpected collaboration between Eminem and Elton John, despite Eminem's controversial lyrics. Known for his album The Marshall Mathers LP, which garnered both praise and criticism for its homophobic content, Eminem's performance with Elton John stirred anticipation and concern. During the duet, Eminem rapped Stan while John played piano and sang the chorus traditionally performed by Dido. The performance concluded with a memorable moment as the two artists embraced, held hands, and hugged on stage.
5. Chris Brown and Rihanna's Withdrawal After 2009 Assault
Following a disturbing incident at a pre-Grammys party in 2009, Chris Brown physically assaulted Rihanna, leading both artists to withdraw from their scheduled performances at the Grammy Awards. Despite their initial smiles at the pre-Grammys party, the situation took a dark turn, with Brown arrested and Rihanna hospitalized after images of her battered face surfaced online. In their absence, a last-minute performance by U2 and a duet featuring Justin Timberlake and Al Green were hastily arranged hours before the show. Brown later pleaded guilty to assault, receiving a five-year probation sentence.
4. Nicki Minaj's Controversial Grammys Performance
Nicki Minaj stirred up controversy at the 2012 Grammys with her bold red-carpet appearance and a theatrical performance that included an exorcism.
Red Carpet Drama: Minaj, accompanied by a fake Catholic bishop, turned heads on the red carpet with her devilish outfit featuring Versace's Medusa emblem. The faux priest by her side added an extra layer of controversy to her entrance.
On-Stage Exorcism: Taking the stage for her performance of Roman Holiday, Minaj began in a confessional setup with the priest. The act transitioned into a short horror film titled The Exorcism of Roman, depicting the singer in a deranged state. The performance reached its peak as Minaj, connected to cables, laid horizontally and even appeared to levitate.
Catholic League Backlash: The Catholic League expressed strong criticism, condemning Minaj and the Recording Academy for the performance. The controversial act sparked discussions about its appropriateness.
Minaj's Response: In response to the backlash, Minaj defended her performance, stating that it was part of a movie she was working on. Despite the controversy, she remained unapologetic about her creative choices.
3. Kanye West's Award Show Interruptions: From Taylor Swift to Beck
Kanye West, known for his award show antics, interrupted Beck's moment in 2015, echoing his infamous 2009 interruption of Taylor Swift. This time, it was triggered by Beyoncé's loss to Beck for Album of the Year.
In a surprising upset, Beck won Album of the Year over Beyoncé. As Beck took the stage, West approached the microphone but decided against another interruption. Beck gestured for him to return, but West chose to sit and share a laugh with the audience.
While West initially seemed to be joking, he later stated in a televised E! interview that "Beck needs to respect artistry, and he should've given his award to Beyoncé." The comment sparked controversy and discussions about artist respect in the music industry.
2. Alicia Keys' double piano performance at the 2019 Grammys
In a stunning moment at the 2019 Grammys, Alicia Keys captivated the audience by playing not one but two pianos simultaneously, leaving everyone in awe.
Alicia's performance, titled Songs I Wish I Wrote, featured a medley of beloved songs, including Juice WRLD's Lucid Dreams, Kings of Leon's Use Somebody, and Lauryn Hill's Doo-Wop (That Thing).
Expressing her excitement, Keys shared, "I've always wanted to play two pianos," realizing a long-held dream during this unforgettable Grammy Awards moment.
1. Harry Styles' Grammy Controversy
In 2023, Harry Styles faced criticism for his Grammy performance of As It Was. While singing, he seemed to trip on a moving stage turnstile, almost falling. Fans noted a less-than-perfect vocal delivery, and dancers revealed on social media that a malfunction caused them to dance backward.
Styles won the Album of the Year award for Harry's House. During his acceptance speech, he remarked, "This doesn't happen to people like me very often," triggering an online backlash. Critics pointed out he was the 33rd white man to win, raising eyebrows, especially as he won over Beyoncé, a four-time nominee yet to secure the coveted award.
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