Tuesday’s announcement of the 2021 Grammy nominations had a lot of surprises, but there was one snub that seemed to be especially prominent: The Weeknd received zero nods for his After Hours album and its breakout hit “Blinding Lights.”
“Blinding Lights” not only had a four-week stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, but it also broke the record for most weeks in the Hot 100’s top 10 and was crowned 2020’s most-streamed song on Spotify (so far). After Hours, meanwhile, debuted atop the Billboard 200, where it remained for four consecutive weeks and had the biggest streaming week for an R&B album ever. But the three-time Grammy winner didn’t make the cut this year.
The Weeknd himself had some thoughts on the situation, tweeting Tuesday:
The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 25, 2020
A number of the singer’s peers agreed with his frustration. Kid Cudi wrote, “Abel was robbed man this sh–s weak,” following the Recording Academy’s announcement, while Tinashe replied with a line of trash can emojis under a tweet about The Weeknd’s zero nominations.
Even though his own artist Justin Bieber fared well in the nominations, Scooter Braun weighed in, writing that The Weeknd and his manager Wassim “Sal” Slaiby “deserved to be there as well and deserved better. Brilliant artist and brilliant album.”
Canadian producer Boi-1da, who’s not credited on After Hours, said the album was “criminally robbed,” as “ROBBED,” “abel” and “weeknd” all began trending on Twitter in the U.S. and worldwide. Fans even began rewriting the opening lyrics to his Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Heartless,” “Never need a Grammy/ I’m what a Grammy need.”
Check out reactions to The Weeknd’s 2021 Grammy snub from fellow artists and fans below.
Abel was robbed man this shits weak
— The Chosen One : I 💖 YOU FRESHIE 4EVER (@KidCudi) November 24, 2020
🗑 🗑 🗑 🗑
— TINASHE ³³³ (@Tinashe) November 24, 2020
I agree. Congrats to all the nominees but @theweeknd and Sal you deserved to be there as well and deserved better. Brilliant artist and brilliant album. https://t.co/bVCcIRBMb5
— Scott “Scooter” Braun (@scooterbraun) November 25, 2020
After Hours criminally robbed
— Boi-1da (@Boi1da) November 24, 2020
How Abel didn’t get nominated for a Grammy is puzzling to me🤨
— luka sabbat (@whoisluka) November 24, 2020
How did The Weeknd not get nominated for a Grammy strictly for this song alone?!
Unreal. ROBBED. pic.twitter.com/WwtYuIyuFO
— Jordan Daley (@JDaIey) November 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/emmaxotwod/status/1331325517006561286?s=20
The weeknd rn :
Never need a Grammy
I’m what a grammy need pic.twitter.com/S9YlKhERqC— WRLD🌟 (@offthegriiiid) November 24, 2020
.@theweeknd f*ck grammys we all know your worth#WeLoveYouAbel pic.twitter.com/VdMyIBNoTT
— thami (@escapfromla) November 24, 2020
At the end of the day, it's just awards. This can't Change the full domination this year. A masterpiece album, amazing music videos, all the success & broken records. Abel, you're the artist of the year with album of the year, and no one can change that. #WeLoveYouAbel pic.twitter.com/KhYtdJsIIU
— The Weeknd News (@NewsWeeknd) November 24, 2020
2020 wouldn't be the same without after hours. thank you abel. pic.twitter.com/onqkuOkQqk
— . (@madnssxo) November 24, 2020
#WeLoveYouAbel YOU ARE THE ARTIST OF THE YEAR pic.twitter.com/oLUXNctjyf
— The Weeknd Brasil (@SiteTheWeekndBR) November 24, 2020
.@theweeknd at the end of the day, awards are just objects on the shelf. The greatest achievement in the world you've already won, which is to be able to touch the heart of a legion of fans around the world with your music.#WeLoveYouAbel
— The Weeknd Brasil (@SiteTheWeekndBR) November 24, 2020