While many artists like .fun, Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen and Gotye are celebrating their GRAMMY Nominations there is one group of artists left out again at this year’s ceremony: the boy bands.
It’s not an uncommon practice. In fact, none of the 90s boy bands like New Kids On the Block, ‘N Sync or Backstreet Boys ever won a GRAMMY despite being nominated several times.
In 1990, New Kids On the Block were nominated for Best Long Form Music Video for “Hangin’ Tough” but lost to Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814.”
Nearly a decade later, the Backstreet Boys had their first shot at a GRAMMY in 1999 when they were nominated as Best New Artist. They lost to Lauryn Hill. Six GRAMMY nominations later, they have yet to receive a GRAMMY despite the popularity of their album Millennium which received two nominations as did their song “I Want It That Way.”
So this year, while it came as a complete surprise that neither One Direction or The Wanted received a nomination, it’s not a new thing for boy bands to be snubbed. Even Justin Bieber saw no GRAMMY nods much to the chagrin of his diehard fans and manager Scooter Braun.
Interestingly enough, Swedish songwriter and producer Max Martin has yet to receive a GRAMMY for his boy band writing credits. Martin is the man behind Backstreet Boys’ “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” “As Long As You Love Me,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and “I Want It That Way” as well as ‘N Sync’s “I Want You Back,” “Tearin’ Up My Heart” and “It’s Gonna Be Me,” among others. While he has been awarded Songwriter Of the Year previously by ASCAP, Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” a song he worked on was the closest he ever got to a GRAMMY as she won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Could this be his first win with Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” being nominated? And is Ed Sheeran’s nomination for “The A-Team” the closest One Direction will ever get to a GRAMMY as he wrote their current single “Little Things?” Either way, many still expressed their disappointment for those who weren’t nominated.
first…congrats to @carlyraejepsen . thought u deserved a best new artist nom, but proud Call Me Maybe got u 2 noms. so proud of u.
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) December 6, 2012
second….this time there wont be any wise words, no excuses, I just plain DISAGREE. The kid deserved it. Grammy board u blew it on this one
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) December 6, 2012
the hardest thing to do is transition, keep the train moving. the kid delivered. Huge succesful album, sold out tour, and won people over…
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) December 6, 2012
…this time he deserved to be recognized and I dont really have any kind nice positive things to say about a decision i dont agree with.
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) December 6, 2012
Maybe fans of each band should take the higher ground and congratulate those who were nominated. After all, there’s always next year!
Wow!! Congrats to our mate @edsheeran on his Grammy nomination!! So amazing we can share this moment with you #Grammys twitter.com/thewantedmusic…
— the wanted (@thewantedmusic) December 6, 2012
-Annie Reuter, CBS Local
