Last week, the Grammy Awards released its list of nominees for its 2021 ceremony, and caused some major A-list upset in the process.
The Weeknd was snubbed, Justin Bieber's album was, according to the star, nominated in the wrong genre, and Nicky Nicki Minaj used the opportunity to remind her fans that, despite 10 nominations throughout her career, she is still yet to take home a coveted award.
“The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency,” The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – said in a tweet.
The "transparency" the Starboy singer is referring to is the process – kept secret – by which the nominations are selected, as is the identity of those on the committees who choose the nominees.
So how exactly do the Grammy Awards work?
The Grammy Awards nomination and decision-making process is carried out by the Recording Academy. Described as the world's leading society of music professionals, the academy is made up of voting, professional and student members, all of whom are artists, producers or music students.
Voting for the Grammy Awards can only be done by members of the Recording Academy. To become a member, candidates must receive two "strong recommendations" from music industry peers. New member submissions are considered by the Recording Academy's Peer Review Panel each spring.
The Grammy Awards are broken down into 84 categories across 30 genres, with members of the academy and registered media companies invited to submit entries for consideration. The eligibility of entries is determined by more than 350 experts, with final decisions made by voting members of the academy.
The first round of voting determines the nominees, with members only able to vote in their specific area of expertise. They can also vote across the awards’ four general categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
Once the nominees have been determined, voting members of the academy can vote in up to 15 genre-specific categories, as well as across the four general categories. Votes are counted by independent accounting firm Deloitte, and the results are kept confidential until the night of the awards.
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See pictures from the 2020 Grammy Awards red carpet:
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Actress Priyanka Chopra wears Ralph & Russo, joined by singer-songwriter husband Nick Jonas at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Lizzo wears custom Atelier Versace at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani wears Dolce & Gabbana as she arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Ariana Grande wears Custom Giambattista Valli for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
BTS arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Jameela Jamil wears Georges Chakra for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Usher arrives for the 62nd Grammy Awards. Reuters -
Chrissy Teigen wears Yanina as she and John Legend arrive for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020. AFP -
Ozzy Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne arrive for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Dua Lipa wears Alexander Wang as he and boyfriend US-Palestinian model Anwar Hadid arrive for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US rapper Lil Nas X arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Kevin Jonas and wife Danielle Jonas arrive for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony. EPA -
Lewis Capaldi arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Camila Cabello arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Singer Chris Brown (L) and his daughter Royalty arrive for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. EPA -
British actress Sophie Turner wears Louis Vuitton as she and her husband US singer Joe Jonas arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Billy Porter arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Shawn Mendes arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Heidi Klum, Tom Kaulitz and Bill Kaulitz arrive at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Jazzmeia Horn arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
US singer Shania Twain arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Band Flor de Toloache arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
British singer-songwriter Yola arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. / AFP / VALERIE MACON -
Keltie Knight wears The Attico as she arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
JoJo arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
iLe arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Jennifer Lahmers arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Alyssa Julya Smith arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Nao arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
British musician James Blake arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Mereba arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Joy Villa arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Lilly Singh, wearing Georges Chakra, arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Anderson Paak arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Finneas O'Connell, Billie Eilish's brother and songwriting partner, arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Pia Mia arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Nikita Dragun arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Nina Parker arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Megan Pormer arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Jessie Reyez arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Ricky Rebel arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Giuliana Rancic arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
Mereba arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
US musician Iggy Pop arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
US singer Bebe Rexha wears Christian Cowan as she arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Brittany Howard arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Maggie Rogers arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
FKA twigs arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalia arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Mollie King arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Tyler, the Creator arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Adrienne Warren arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
DJ Khaled arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Lauren London arrives for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 26 January 2020. EPA -
H.E.R. wears custom Dsquared2 as she arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Blac Chyna arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Conor McGregor arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Grace Elizabeth arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Swae Lee attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. AFP -
US rapper Saweetie arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AFP -
Gary Clark Jr., left, and Nicole Trunfio arrive at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP -
Bonnie McKee attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. AFP -
Issa Rae, wearing Zuhair Murad, presents the award for best rap album at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020. AP
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Why the controversy?
The Grammy Awards has been the subject of much controversy in the past. Not only has it been criticised for a lack of transparency when it comes to its members and the decision-making process, it has also been pulled up for its lack of diversity on many occasions.
For example, in 2018, just 11 out of the 84 winners were women. Then-chief executive of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, said that women needed to “step up” if they wanted to actually win awards. Needless to say, he was ousted shortly afterwards, to be replaced by Deborah Dugan, who was tasked with revamping the awards’ culture.
In 2020, the academy announced a number of diversity initiatives in response to continued criticism by artists such as Drake and Nicki Minaj, and while 2021's nominations do appear more diverse, it seems many artists believe the awards have not done enough.
Who is nominated for the 20201 Grammy Awards?
Beyonce leads the 2021 nominees with nine nods, making her the second-most nominated Grammy artist in history, with a total of 79 nominations.
British singer Dua Lipa, pop star Taylor Swift and rapper Roddy Ricch got six nominations apiece.
Swift and Dua Lipa will compete for the top prize, Album of the Year, along with RnB singer Post Malone, British band Coldplay, US band Haim, avant-garde British musician Jacob Collier, American soul band Black Pumas and American alternative RnB singer Jhene Aiko.
Billboard called the nominations for Album, Record, Song of the Year and Best New Artist surprising for the range of "superstar nominees as well as out-of-nowhere newcomers".
Bob Dylan, 79, was a no-show despite acclaim for his first album of new music in eight years, Rough and Rowdy Ways, while established artists such as Katy Perry, Maren Morris, The Chicks, Halsey and the Jonas Brothers all got zero nominations.
But K-Pop sensations BTS got their first major Grammy nod, for single Dynamite in the Best Pop Duo / Group Performance category, a breakthrough by a South Korean group.
The Best New Artist field included rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat, as well as alternative artist Phoebe Bridgers and Noah Cyrus, the younger sister of Miley Cyrus.
Women, including Fiona Apple, Brittany Howard and newcomer Ingrid Andress, packed the rock and country music fields, while Britain's Harry Styles got his first Grammy love with three nods for his work on album Fine Line.
