With 32 Grammy wins, Beyoncé remains the most decorated artist, yet she's never won Album of the Year. Will Cowboy Carter change history at this year's Grammys?
Beyoncé is the most decorated artist in Grammys history, with 32 wins to her name. Her albums have consistently triggered cultural shifts and reshaped the norms of the music industry. Yet, despite her accomplishments, Beyoncé has never won the prestigious Album of the Year award.
This year, she heads to the Grammys once again as a top contender, thanks to Cowboy Carter, her genre-defying and socially conscious album that garnered critical acclaim upon its release. This marks her fifth nomination for Album of the Year; past losses were to Taylor Swift, Beck, Adele, and Harry Styles. Similarly, in the Record of the Year category, she has been nominated nine times without a win.
Nearly all of her losses have followed a consistent pattern: Beyoncé’s work is often eclipsed by that of white pop and rock artists. "If she wins Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, it would be, for me, like Barack Obama winning the presidency," said Birgitta Johnson, a professor of African American studies and music history at the University of South Carolina.
‘Fault lines’
Johnson notes that Grammy voters tend to undervalue collaborative projects, which are Beyoncé’s hallmark. The superstar celebrates Black music traditions and elevates fellow artists. Musicologist Lauron Kehrer agrees, citing Beyoncé’s 2015 loss to Beck, where critics argued that his solo effort outweighed her collaborative approach.
"Voter values are more aligned with white-dominated genres like rock and alternative," Kehrer explained. "Collaboration, which is central to pop, R&B, and other genres, hasn’t been as appreciated by Grammy voters."
Beyoncé’s career exemplifies the industry’s struggles with race and gender dynamics, as well as its limited ability to adapt to genre fluidity. Though the Grammys increased the number of contenders in top categories to promote diversity, the result has been fragmented voting, which continues to disadvantage artists of color and unconventional work.
No ‘one-trick pony’
Beyoncé’s refusal to fit into predefined molds sets her apart. Her 11 Grammy nominations this year span Americana, country, pop, and rap, further proving her versatility.
"She refuses to be a one-trick pony," said Kehrer. "Cowboy Carter was a statement project that challenges the industry to take notice of her genre-blurring artistry."
The Recording Academy has attempted to catch up, refining its categorization of music. However, Beyoncé's impact extends beyond institutional recognition. Johnson argues that the Grammys need her presence more than she needs theirs, as her involvement helps maintain the event’s relevance and supposed inclusivity.
Ultimately, Beyoncé’s influence trickles down to artists who dominate today’s music landscape, such as Billie Eilish, who blends genres and tackles taboo subjects. For fans, however, a major Grammy win for Beyoncé would symbolize more than artistic success; it would represent progress in the industry’s ability to embrace diversity.
"The Grammys are a litmus test for where we stand, not just musically, but also socially and politically," Kehrer concluded.
With AFP
Comments