Grammy Award season always has the potential to drum up some controversy – when the nominees roll in on December 6th, there will be talk about which categories got it right and which ones snubbed some artists, albums, and songs hard. Frank Ocean was already responsible for some related headlines when it was noted that his recently released album, Blonde, was not submitted for Grammy consideration. Was it because they forgot, or maybe it was a “clerical error” a la Drake’s “Hotline Bling?”
Turns out, it was entirely Ocean’s decision not to submit his record. Speaking with The New York Times, Ocean says that the infrastructure of the awarding, nomination and screening system is “dated,” and the show isn’t “representing well” for people who come from where he comes from. Referencing NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his decision to kneel during the National Anthem, Ocean says that he’d rather this be his “Colin Kaepernick moment for the Grammys” than to sit there in the audience.
Overall, his piece with the publication is incredibly revealing, but you’d expect nothing less when it comes to Frank Ocean. It’s admirable that someone who has such influence in the industry is taking a stand for something that he believes in and wants change in, and even though he might not be getting a Grammy this coming February, it won’t stop Blonde from being “Album of the Year” with his loyal (and patient) fanbase.
