GRAMMY GOES GROANS

Los Angeles : The organizers of the Grammy Awards - music’s biggest night - on Friday announced an end to the so-called ''secret communities'' that have led to allegations that the highest honors in the industry are open to rigging.

The Recording Academy said that nominations for the next Grammy Awards in January 22 will be selected by all of its more than 11,000 voting members, instead of by committee of 15-30 industry experts whose names were not revealed.

The Academy was slammed last year when Canadian artist The Weekend got zero nominations, even though his critically acclaimed album After Hours was one of the biggest sellers of 2020.

The Weekend is Abel Tasfaye - in a Twitter post last November, said, “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency.”

The Recording Academy said in a statement issued on Friday that the changes it is making are significant and were made “to ensure that the Grammy Awards rules and guidelines are transparent and equitable.”

Allegations that the Grammy nomination process is tainted were made in a legal complaint filed in early 2019 by the former chief executive of the Recording Academy, Deborah Dugan. At the time, the Academy dismissed them as being “categorically false, misleading and wrong.” Doughnuts had claimed that its members pushed artists they have relationships with and was later fixed, unfortunately. 

American pop star Halsey, also shut out of the 2021 Grammys, last year called the nominations process ''elusive'' and said she was “hoping for more reform transparency or reform.” Similarly, former One Direction Zayn Malik had also called in March for an end to the “secret committees” as well.

“I’m keeping the pressure on and fighting for transparency and inclusion. We need to make sure we are honoring and celebrating “creative excellence “ of all,” the You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful hit maker had tweeted just hours ahead this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony.

The Recording Academy on Friday also said it was adding two new Grammy categories - one for best Global Music performance and one for the best Latin Urban Music Album - bringing to 86 the total number of Grammy Awards each year. (Reuters)