The official nominations for the 2022 Grammy Awards were officially released Nov. 22 and drew both positive and negative feedback from fans.
While it is no surprise that certain artists such as 18-year-old pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo were nominated for awards, there are plenty of other lesser known artists or artists who may have deserved better. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest surprises and snubs of the 2022 Grammy nominations.
Surprise: Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast is an indie rock band lead by Korean-American Michelle Zauner. Although active since 2013, the band remained mostly unknown until the release of their 2021 album, “Jubilee.” The coveted Best New Artist award for which they are nominated is remarkable for a brand new to the Hollywood awards scene. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons).
Snub: BTS
Once again, fans are furious at, what they consider, a low number of nominations K-pop group BTS received. At the 2021 ceremony, they received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their song “Dynamite,” but lost the award to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande; “Dynamite” spent 32 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat no K-pop group had ever achieved. This year, the world renowned band is only nominated for one category, much to the behest of many fans: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons).
Surprise: Arooj Aftab
Singer songwriter Arooj Aftab is the first Pakistani to ever be nominated for Best New Artist. While she may not be as recognized as some of her fellow nominees such as Olivia Rodrigo, FINNEAS and The Kid Laroi, Aftab has still made a strong name for herself. In fact, former President Barack Obama even featured one of her songs, “Mohabbat,” on his 2021 summer playlist. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons).
Snub: Kacey Musgraves
Although she won Album of the Year in 2018, the country singer-songwriter failed to be nominated for the same award for her 2021 album, “Star-Crossed.” Interestingly enough, the Recording Academy decided that her album was not eligible for country classification, instead placing her in the running for Best Pop Vocal Album, a highly competitive category that she was unable to be nominated in (Photo/Wikimedia Commons).
Surprise: Kanye West
Rapper Kanye West, now officially known as Ye, is nominated for Album of the Year for the first time in almost 14 years. This follows his extremely public criticism of the awards, primarily through social media. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons)
Snub: Tyler, the Creator
Musician Tyler, the Creator is another artist who regularly speaks out against the Grammys, in particular the practice of African American artists being designated to rap categories, regardless of the other genres they could fit into. His sixth album “Call Me If You Get Lost,” released in late June fits into the categories of rap, pop, jazz, soul, and reggae. Regardless of his many protests, he was nominated again for Rap Album of the Year and did not make the cut for Album of the Year. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons)
