You Won’t Believe That These Four Artists Never Won a Grammy
The Grammy Awards is known the world over for its strange and, in some cases, downright baffling choices when it comes to recognizing greatness in music. In recent years The Recording Academy, the governing body that nominates music artists, has come under fire for lack of diversity in their nominations. They have also been criticized for their inability to recognize new genres of music. Even with their track record of weird nominations, unbelievable snubs, and cookie-cutter winners, you’ll be surprised to find out these four musical artists have never won a Grammy.
Bob Marley
Reggae icon, Bob Marley’s legacy is showing no signs of fading. The Jamaica-born artist who died in 1981, remains one of the most iconic and beloved musical artists in the world. Credited with popularizing reggae music, Marley has become a symbol of Jamaican culture. Marley’s “Legend” album has sold more than 15 million copies. It still sells between 3,000 to 5,000 copies each week, 35 years after its release.
His untimely death deprived the world of more music, but the Recording Academy has failed to recognize his talents. Marley never received a nomination during his life. He did, however, receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. He was also nominated in 2001 and 2002 for Best Music Film and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals posthumously, but he did not win in those categories.
Snoop Dogg
With 30 years in the rap game, Snoop Dogg, real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., has released 16
Snoop Dogg currently holds the record for most Grammy nominations without a win. He has been nominated a staggering 17 times but has never brought home a trophy. While the 47-year-old artist and actor hasn’t won one just yet, there is still time. He remains active in the music world.
The Who
As a British rock band, The Who are given credit for influencing the landscape of modern rock music. They were among the first musical groups to utilize synthesizers in a traditional rock structure, completely changing the sound of the genre. Their album Quadrophenia was number 2 on The Billboard Pop Music Chart in 1973 and They were the first band to introduce the use of non-musical sound into music recordings.
Regardless of their contributions to the music world they have never received a Grammy nomination, although the group did receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. They are also part of the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Tupac Shakur
Tupac, gunned down at just 25 years old, made waves in the hip hop world. He is credited with changing the landscape of hip hop and injecting political messages into rap music for the first time. His raps were so intricate that Ivy League schools have utilized his lyrics in classroom debates and have even dedicated entire classes to the late rapper’s work. Shakur, however, for all his accomplishments never took home a Grammy.
Shakur was nominated in 1996, 1997 and again in 2000. In 1996 he was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance for “Dear Mama” and for Best Rap Album for Me Against the World. In 1997 he was again nominated for Best Rap Album for his work on All Eyez on Me. He also received nominations for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his work on “How Do You Want It” and “California Love”. In 2000 received a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance for “Changes”. The song is the only song to receive a nomination in its category after the performer’s death, however, he did not win.
