This year, like the Superbowl commercials, the Grammy performances mostly revolved around social issues and provided a commentary on current events. As a viewer, although the award show wasn’t quite as light hearted and fun as previous years, I appreciated that a group of celebrities with a large social influence used their power to draw attention to important issues. Some thought the climax of the evening was when Sam Smith won his fourth Grammy, but I think it was when a screen dropped from the ceiling to reveal President Obama live casted before the entire audience. In his speech to the over 28.4 million viewers tuned in, he announced the launch of the #It’sOnUs campaign, which combats domestic violence. He called all viewers and attendees, including the highly influential artists, to take a stand to end domestic violence. In closing, he said, “Artists have a unique power to change minds and attitudes— and to get us thinking about what matters.” Then a woman came on stage and shared her story of escaping domestic violence and Katy Perry continued the segment by performing a very personal song about her struggle with domestic violence. Everyone applauded in support.
This is great. I think a culture that becomes more aware of a problem like domestic violence is more equipped to combat and end it. But there is a major flaw in this seemingly “cure-all” campaign that the Grammy’s are partnering with. It’s celebrates known transgressors such Chris Brown and R. Kelly, who were both nominated for awards that very night and have also both faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Just before the 2009 Grammy Awards, Chris Brown famously beat his then girlfriend Rihanna leaving her with gruesome bruises and him with a criminal trial. When he narrowly escaped jail time, the Grammy’s welcomed him back to the music seen and his Grammy nominations with applause. The songs, artists, and general attitude of the music industry and the Grammys does not support this campaign. Don’t get me wrong, I am just as as guilty of singing along to these mindlessly offensive, yet award winning songs as the next person. In order for it’s company to stay consistent, honest, and valid, the Grammy Foundation must give awards to the most well received and musically impressive artists, whether or not they promote violence, objectification, and generally detrimental content. The problem is not the Grammy Foundation or the #It’sOnUs Campaign, it is the cultivated culture of harmful behaviors that the musical industry hugely feeds in to. This is an important first step not only to raising awareness, but to using celebrities’ influence and power to cause a social shift. Hey, R. Kelly, Chris Brown, Snoop Dog, and all the other celebrities who promote domestic violence: Maybe if you stop beating your significant others, your fans might stop too.
This is great. I think a culture that becomes more aware of a problem like domestic violence is more equipped to combat and end it. But there is a major flaw in this seemingly “cure-all” campaign that the Grammy’s are partnering with. It’s celebrates known transgressors such Chris Brown and R. Kelly, who were both nominated for awards that very night and have also both faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Just before the 2009 Grammy Awards, Chris Brown famously beat his then girlfriend Rihanna leaving her with gruesome bruises and him with a criminal trial. When he narrowly escaped jail time, the Grammy’s welcomed him back to the music seen and his Grammy nominations with applause. The songs, artists, and general attitude of the music industry and the Grammys does not support this campaign. Don’t get me wrong, I am just as as guilty of singing along to these mindlessly offensive, yet award winning songs as the next person. In order for it’s company to stay consistent, honest, and valid, the Grammy Foundation must give awards to the most well received and musically impressive artists, whether or not they promote violence, objectification, and generally detrimental content. The problem is not the Grammy Foundation or the #It’sOnUs Campaign, it is the cultivated culture of harmful behaviors that the musical industry hugely feeds in to. This is an important first step not only to raising awareness, but to using celebrities’ influence and power to cause a social shift. Hey, R. Kelly, Chris Brown, Snoop Dog, and all the other celebrities who promote domestic violence: Maybe if you stop beating your significant others, your fans might stop too.
Well done identifying the hypocrisy here. Even though the industry rewards people who's character are questionable do you think the music should be separate from the person? I mean can a musicians music be awarded apart from the musicians moral character? Would this apply to all entertainment industries including sports or even your career?
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