2023 Grammy nominations prove to be both unsurprising and disappointing

Heidi Reid Assistant News Editor

Mary Kate Giuffrida Assistant Copy Desk Chief

Music and other audio types are subjective, so nominating options that please everyone isn’t realistic. Regardless, the majority of 2023 Grammy nominations were excruciatingly painful to read and listen to, even with the correct amount of leniency granted for subjectivity. The Grammy Awards appear to have completely given up on awarding musical competency and have instead asked themselves, “who will make us the most money?” when handing out nominations. Here are our thoughts on a few of this year’s categories.

Heidi Reid, Assistant News Editor: Although this album wasn’t necessarily to my taste, Beyonce’s “Renaissance” has definitely earned Album of the Year. “Renaissance” is an imaginative masterpiece, paying homage to her culture and luring fans out of their comfort genre. Beyonce captures the emotions of sexual liberation and pays homage to those who paved the way for her by sampling from various tracks from ‘90s drag icons, giving revolutionaries in the industry the credit they deserve. With the exception of “Harry’s House,” none of the albums nominated were particularly infuriating, but the quality, creativity and homage to the industry in “Renaissance” sets it apart from the rest.

Mary Kate Giuffrida, Assistant Copy Desk Chief: The years of the Grammy’s lifting new and groundbreaking artists into stardom appear to be over, and maybe have been for a while. The Album of the Year nominations seem to be more about big names than big innovations, and there’s something to be said for artists being too comfortable in their fame to really push themselves. Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin

Ti” definitely earned its spot among the list, as did Kendrick Lamar and arguably even Harry Styles, but ABBA, Adele and Coldplay? It wouldn’t have been my first choice. When it comes to picking a winner I couldn’t have said it better, “Renaissance” has earned this one fair and square, especially when you remember that Beyonce hasn’t taken home a Grammy in one of the top categories since 2010, despite being tied for most nominations in Grammy history.

Wilson College of Textiles project coordinator Bryson Keen said viewing the exhibition can offer new perspectives.

GRAPHIC BY HEIDI REID

HR: This year’s nominations for Song of the Year are a nightmare. I am convinced they selected these songs by listening to a pop radio station for an hour and picking the first ten songs they heard. When I say that, I am directly targeting “As It Was” by Styles. Styles is now what Justin Bieber was for our generation a decade ago. No talent or creativity in his music, but thrives off of an over-glorified personality and appearance.

His album is agreeable enough for a passive listen, but by no means employs the innovation deserving of a Grammy. The majority of the other nominations are surface level pieces as well, including their production, instrumentals and writing. I’m sorry, Taylor, but “All Too Well” sounds like a poem clumsily written by a high schooler going through their first break up. I’m sure the emotion is there, but the skill level to convey that emotion is not. Out of this category, I would like to see Steve Lacy or Kendrick Lamar win. Both artists had a large impact on the industry this year and deserve recognition. I just don’t think the selected songs are the right representation of their work.

MKG: Besides the (undeserved) Taylor Swift and Styles hate, I have to agree when it comes to these nominations. So many of these felt like they were derived from TikTok hype rather than any actual innovation or unique qualities. Gayle’s nomination especially is literally a joke. That specific breed of overdone pop-punk with gimmicky lyrics that seems to thrive on the For You page is perfect for scrolling and reposts, but definitely does not represent one of the best songs of the year.

The other nominations don’t stand out to me. “As It Was” is maybe the last song from “Harry’s House” I would have chosen, but once again we fell down the pipeline of only awarding lead singles which, in my opinion, are usually the worst songs on the album. While “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” holds a special place in my heart, and in my opinion represents a lot when it comes to the music industry and Swift’s battle for autonomy in her music, I don’t see it winning nor do I really think it should. Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That” is probably the most surprising pick on the list, and while I don’t think it’s deserving of a win, I do think it adds a more heartfelt and genuine feeling to the nominations. In the end I would say Beyonce’s “Break my soul” or Steve Lacey’s “Bad Habit” have my vote.

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“[I] personally know Bailey,” Alvarez said. “I have learned a lot just from the way she got the colors. It’s all from plants, bugs or mud. It’s very interesting to me because my background isn’t art or creative at all. It’s interesting to see someone super excited about what they learned and have done, and we support her.”

“[It] definitely opens up your creative side a bit,” Keen said. “Look at the different types of natural dyes. For me, it was like a history lesson of how these colors come about. It’s a good learning opportunity.”

Regardless of an individual’s background or experience with art, the exhibition can be meaningful to all fields of study.

Haylie Clayton, a second-year studying biology, talked about how the project can open up new mediums for art enthusiasts.

“I think Bailey’s artwork is important because usually when you think of art, you think of 2D or clay, but there’s a lot more to it,” Clayton said. “This entire exhibit is all fiber stuff. Having people that want to do art but aren’t good at the other forms, having them explore other things by seeing other people’s projects — I think that’s really cool.”

Arynn Baginski, a first-year studying fashion and textile design, said that Knight’s exhibition unplugs us from the technology we use daily and reconnects us to our roots in nature.

“I really like how dreamy this exhibit is,” Baginski said. “These days I feel like things are so focused on technology. That’s not a bad thing, but I really appreciate things that are connected to the Earth. It feels like you’re using materials [the Earth is] giving you in a way that kind of gives back as well.”

For more information about Knight’s work, check out her website.