The 66th edition of the Grammys, held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, was marked by significant events, spanning from the pre-show at the Peacock Theatre to the main event at the Crypto.com Arena.
One of the memorable moments was the controversy surrounding rapper Nicki Minaj. The Recording Academy initially announced ‘Barbie World’ by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice as the winner of the Best Rap Song category, only to retract the statement and declare Killer Mike’s ‘Scientists & Engineers’ as the rightful winner. This mishap left fans of Nicki Minaj disappointed, as she has yet to win a Grammy despite her illustrious career.
During the ceremony, hip-hop icon Jay-Z voiced his discontent with the Grammy organizers. While accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, he criticized the Academy’s judgment, particularly highlighting Beyoncé’s Album of the Year snub despite her numerous accolades. Jay-Z accused the organizers of unfairness and questioned their decision-making process.
In another unexpected turn, rapper Killer Mike was arrested shortly after winning three Grammy awards. He was taken into custody for misdemeanor battery but was released later in the evening.
The Nigerian music scene faced disappointment as well, with prominent artists like Burna Boy and Davido missing out on Grammy wins. This led to accusations of deliberate snubs and calls for a boycott of the awards. Many, including Davido’s hypeman Special Spesh and media personality Adesope Olajide, criticized the Recording Academy for its handling of African music and urged Africans to take a stand against perceived injustice.
Overall, the 2024 Grammys were marked by controversy and disappointment for some, overshadowing the celebration of musical achievements.
