It’s a long, arduous process and people take pride in it. And they were critically listening to every song that came across their desks - or virtual desks - so I don’t think it shows a flaw in the process. I was in the ‘core room’ this year and I observed, and the people in it are music professionals, at the top of their craft in songwriting and producing and there are a lot of artists. “The process is there so we can continue to monitor excellence. “I don’t think process into question, honestly,” he said. Variety spoke with Mason about the matter on Monday, and while he exerts no control over the nominations, he did speak generally on the process. The Grammy nominations are multi-step process in which committees, which include veteran music professionals, make their decisions based on a shortlist handed down from a screening committee that considers thousands of submissions. “All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence,” he concludes, “and we congratulate them all.”ĭespite Mason’s assurances, The Weeknd’s absence from the Grammy nominations is the biggest snub in memory, and one that is difficult to explain beyond the fact that, contrary to the opinions of millions of fans and hundreds of critics, the 20-odd-member nominating committees did not feel his “After Hours” album or its many singles were one of the eight Best Albums, Songs or Records of the Year, or the five best in genre categories. To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd’s performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process. But as the only peer-voted music award, we will continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in music while shining a light on the many amazing artists that make up our global community. “Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists.
We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the Grammy stage the weekend before.
His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration. “I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. “We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated,” he continues.