The2019 Grammy Awardsnominations are out, and the verdict is in on the biggest surprises and snubs from the list.
Nominations were announced Friday morning, and as usual, some of them have fans either scratching their heads or unexpectedly jumping for joy.
From the lack of love forNicki MinajandTaylor SwifttoMac Miller’s posthumous nod and a surprise accolade for theBackstreet Boys, read on for the biggest shocks from the list.
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SURPRISE: TheBlack PantherSoundtrack Was Nominated for Album of the Year
Only three soundtracks have won the top prize since 1959:O Brother, Where Art Thou(2002), Whitney Houston’sThe Bodyguard(1994) andSaturday Night Fever(1979). Other previous nominees include:Breakfast at Tiffany’s, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Dr. Zhivago, Star Wars, Grease, Flashdance, Beauty and the BeastandWaiting to Exhale.
Some fans may be wondering why another soundtrack — forA Star Is Born— didn’t receive a nomination when its lead single, “Shallow,” did. But theLady Gaga-helmed album from the movie wasn’t released within the eligibility window, so it will likely be submitted for consideration for the 2020 Grammys.
SNUB:Nicki MinajWas Completely Shut Out
This summer,Minajreleased the strongest, most cohesive set of her career — but was completely shut out of the 61st Grammys. From her extreme spitting kills (see: the outro of “Barbie Dreams”) to the bevy of killer collaborators (Ariana Grande,Eminem,Lil Wayne), it’s shocking she didn’t at least receive a best rap album nod.
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SURPRISE: The Backstreet Boys Earned Their First Nomination in 17 Years
After a brief respite to focus on their families, the boy band reassembled and released their summer hit “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” which nabbed a nod for best pop duo/group performance.
This is the eighth nomination for the act, which has never won a Grammy. They previously scored nominations for: “Shape of My Heart” (2002), “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” (2001),Millennium(2001), “I Want It That Way” (2000) and best new artist (1999).
SNUB:Taylor SwiftOnly Received One Nomination — and It Wasn’t for Album of the Year
Between its chart-topping prowess and near-perfect production, one would expectReputationto receive a nod for album of the year, a title she’s won twice before (2010 forFearless, 2016 for1989). And it’s unclear if Swift’s camp submitted any tracks for the best pop solo performance category, but it’s a shame her smash “Delicate” didn’t receive any love — isn’t it, isn’t it, isn’t it?
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SURPRISE: Fall Out Boy Scores Second-Ever Nomination
The pop-punk band received a nomination for best rock album for the January albumMania. FOB has released solid, genre-spanning albums for years, but this is the band’s first nod since 2006, whenJohn Legendbested the group for best new artist.
“It wasn’t bad, it was just okay — and as a band, we’ve always been like, ‘We’re moving forward, we haven’t done anniversary shows.’ If you’re gonna do that, you need to put out music that you feel is great, otherwise it’s like talking out of both sides of your mouth,”Wentz told PEOPLEin January. “So when we realized that, then the only alternative was to push the record back and make one we believe in. It was a good wakeup call to have.”
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SNUB: The Grammys Didn’t FindMean GirlsVery Fetch
TheMean Girlsmusical — based on the classic 2004 teen comedy — led the 2018 Tony nominations with 12 nods … but received no Grammy nominations.The Band’s Visit, Carousel, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, My Fair LadyandOnce on This Islandare up for best musical theater album.
SURPRISE: Christina Aguilera’s Comeback Disc Picks Up Two Nods
Though performing only moderately on the global charts,Liberation— Xtina’s first album in six years — earned strong reviews for her trademark vocal gymnastics. On Friday the diva picked up two nominations for somewhat surprising categories: best pop duo/group performance for “Fall in Line” (her duet with Demi Lovato), and also best rap/sung performance for “Like I Do” featuring GoldLink.
SNUB:Carrie Underwood’sCry PrettyGiven the Cold Shoulder
Despite receiving big wins at the ACMs (where she took home the honor for vocal event of the year in April) and the CMAs (walking off with the female vocalist of the year award),Carrie Underwooddid not receive any Grammy nominations for her albumCry Pretty, or the two singles: “Love Wins” and the title track.
Carrie Underwood.Image Group LA/ABC
SURPRISE:Maren MorrisIs Recognized for an Elton John Cover
The country darling received a whopping five nominations, but most surprising is for “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,” Morris’s cover from theElton Johntribute albumRestoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The Texas native is also up for the Vince Gill duet “Dear Hate” (best country duo/group performance, best country song), as well as her soulful dance collab “The Middle” with Zedd and Grey (record of the year and best pop duo/group performance).
Including this year’s news, Morris has amassed 10 Grammy nominations; she won the best country solo performance award for her breakout single “My Church” in 2017, the same year she was up for best new artist and best country album.
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SNUB: Travis Scott’s Attempt at Grammy Recognition Is Ignored
Ironically, Scott constructed his million-selling albumAstroworldwith the Recording Academy in mind. “A real driver on this album too was when we got snubbed for the Grammys in 2016,” Scott’s A&RtoldRolling Stone. “We were like, man, are they not respecting us? That’s when it was like, ‘No, y’all got it f—ed up.’ We went back and wanted to make an album that was undeniable.” Despite the high caliber, genre-crossing cameos like Stevie Wonder and John Mayer — plus breakout singles like No. 1 “Sicko Mode,” the album failed to garner Grammy attention.
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SNUB:The Greatest ShowmanGets Lumped in with Compilation Soundtracks
Black Panther: The Albumand “Shallow” fromLady Gaga’sStar Is Bornboth saw inclusion in the major categories, but despite selling a reported 1.7 million copies, the Hugh Jackman-driven collection was relegated to the decidedly less glamorous best compilation soundtrack grouping.
SURPRISE: Mac Miller Received His First Nod Posthumously
This is the first time the late rapper, whodied of an accidental overdosein September at the age of 26, has been nominated for a Grammy.Miller’sAugust album,Swimming,is in the running for the best rap album along with those fromCardi B, Nipsey Hussle, Pusha T andTravis Scott.
WithMiller’s ex-girlfriend Ariana Grandeup for several awards, including best pop vocal album, it’s sure to be an emotional ceremony.
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SNUB: No Love for Kesha’s RBG Biopic Anthem
Keshapenned “Hear Comes the Change,” a ’60s-inspired stomper demanding equality, for the upcoming Ruth Bader Ginsburg movie,On the Basis of Sex. With its universal plea and timeless vibe (hello, harmonica!), you’d expect a nod for best song written for visual media.
SURPRISE:Tiffany HaddishIs Nominated in the Same Category as a Former President
A pleasant surprise! TheGirls Tripstar deservedly earned a nod for best spoken word album for the audio version of her uproarious yet poignant memoir,The Last Black Unicorn.And she’s in good company, nominated alongside familiar faces including David Sedaris (Calypso), Questlove (Creative Quest) and Jimmy Carter (Faith – a Journey for All).
The so-called Big Four categories (album of the year, song of the year, record of the year and best new artist) have traditionally played host to superstars with major label marquee releases. However, this time around, some A-listers are conspicuously absent. As previously mentioned,Taylor Swift’sReputationwent unrepresented, as didAriana Grande’sSweetener,and The Carters’Everything Is Love.
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SNUB: Sam Smith Fails to Replicate His Freshman Grammys Sweep
The British singer cemented his status as a neo-soul superstar at the 2015 Grammys, taking home four awards out of a possible six nominations for his ubiquitous smash “Stay with Me” and chart-topping LP,The Lonely Hour. Fans eagerly tuned in for his follow-up, November 2017’sThe Thrill of it All, but the strong work failed to capture the same attention as his debut. Despite falling in the 2019 Grammy’s eligibility period, Smith’s name did not appear on the list of noms.
SURPRISE:Lady GagaNominated for aJoanneTrack Re-Release
Gaga’sA Star Is Bornduet withBradley Cooper, “Shallow,” received plenty of recognition, but the six-time Grammy winner’s surprise nod was for a re-release of a track off her 2016 albumJoanne, which was nominated for various awards at the 2018 show.
The newer piano version of “Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?)” — which Gaga performed at the Grammys in January — is up for best pop solo performance.
Meanwhile, the Mark Ronson-co-written “Shallow” is nominated for record and song of the year, best pop duo/group performance and best song written for visual media. The full soundtrack forA Star Is Born, released in October, will be eligible for nomination for the 2020 Grammys.
SNUB: Lil Wayne Gets Denied
Despite dropping hislong-awaitedTha Carter V— featuring an all-star cadre includingSnoop Dogg,Nicki Minaj,Kendrick Lamar,Ashanti,Travis Scottand the late XXXTentacion — Weezy felt no love from the Recording Academy this year. The 36-year-old rapper was shut out of every category.
The61st Grammy Awardswill take place at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 10. The telecast will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. EST.
Brianne Tracy
source: people.com
