Grammys Scrap Controversial ‘Secret’ Nomination Committees Following Criticism, Rigging Allegations

By Edna Wande Last updated May 1, 2021

Organisers of Grammys have announced the scrap of “secret” committees that select which acts get nominated for the prestigious music awards, following criticism from artists and allegations of rigging.

Recording Academy said nominations for 2022 awards would be decided by its entire voting membership of more than 11,000, rather than the anonymous 15-30 member expert committees who had previously made the selections.

Stars such as Zayn Malik, The Weeknd, Halsey had claimed the selection process was unfair and lacked transparency.

Artists of colour have long criticised the awards for a lack of diversity.

The Academy has now said the “significant changes” to the awards process “reflect its ongoing commitment to evolve with the musical landscape and to ensure that the Grammy Awards rules and guidelines are transparent and equitable.”

In its statement, the organization noted that it was also reducing the number of categories in which voters can vote and added two new award categories, in Latin and global music, to bring the total to 86.

The changes come after R&B star, The Weeknd in November accused Grammy organizers of being corrupt after he surprisingly received no nominations, despite a big year commercially.

“The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…,” the Canadian, known for hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy,” tweeted at the time and pledged to stop submitting music for awards consideration.

Harvey Mason Jr, chairman and interim president of the Academy, said it had “been a year of unprecedented, transformational change for the Recording Academy.”

He stated;

This is a new Academy, one that is driven to action and that has doubled down on the commitment to meeting the needs of the music community.

Last year the Academy’s first female CEO, Deborah Dugan was fired over alleged bullying.

In a legal complaint, Dugan said she was ousted after raising concerns ranging from voting irregularities to sexual harassment and alleged rape.

Former One Direction singer, Zayn Malik criticized the anonymous nomination committees in March.

“I’m keeping the pressure on & fighting for transparency & inclusion. We need to make sure we are honoring and celebrating ‘creative excellence’ of ALL. End the secret committees,” tweeted the singer, who has never been nominated either with his former group or as a solo artist.

Five days before this year’s ceremony, Zayn Malik said: “Unless you shake hands and send gifts, there’s no nomination considerations. Next year I’ll send you a basket of confectionery.”

He later clarified he was concerned “about the need for inclusion and the lack of transparency of the nomination process“, saying the current system “allows favouritism, racism, and networking politics to influence the voting“.