rant đź’›
I AM happy for the boys for this grammy nomination, but you may or may not already know how I feel about dynamite lol. So finding out That was their nomination was underwhelming to say the least.
But mostly i'm upset; and it's not even a wow reason because I'm pretty sure many others already feel this way too, but I want-need to let it out.
The way the recording academy is acting right now feels like they are doing a "favor" to BTS. Like, "No, we are not giving you a nomination for best album or artist of the year or any other of the big category nominations. You have to work harder for that. I mean, c’mon you're not getting one the first time! But, we ARE giving you one for a Dynamite —a single which for first time listeners would absolutely sound like a white rookie boyband, aka it's passing. That's a start!!! And this is a HUGE deal because it opens path for future years, you are already in the academy's radar!"
And the worst thing is, I can hear the guys saying that to console each other; because it is a way, but not the right or ideal way. And I can also hear interviewers (mostly interviewers) saying that, “a HUGE deal”. I am by no means saying that the guys themselves are not aware of this racist crap though, they for sure know.Â
The quality is already there. It's been there for years now. But the academy is still teasing BTS, year after year. First you're invited, then you're presenting, then you perform a song that isn't even yours with a bunch of other artists, THEN you get nominated! yayyyy! but wait, it’s a song that represents Zero of the band's personality, talent, and art quality (and they are probably even performing Dynamite that night).
Worst thing is, if it wasn't for Dynamite, I think they wouldn't have gotten that nomination. Mots7 is a great album, but not white enough for the table.
Even worse is that, if you think about nominations regarding singles only, Black Swan and On are most definitely eligible too and big time rivals for Dynamite.Â
Black Swan and On have CRAZY instrumentals; both are incredibly well produced, well written; and when looking at the meaning it's difficult to decide which is better. But they are overlooked.Â
Black Swan is everything an artist fears. It really is about the artist being vulnerable; and they decided to not only release that, but also make it a single. I may be going to far, but I would dare to say that maybe even the fandom forgets the meaning at times (? though not purposefully.Â
Regardless, that was a Billboard 100 #1 worthy song. Both were. But somehow the icea tea and ping pong beat it. (I say “somewhow”, but I know Dynamite was made to be a catchy song and get stuck in your head whether you actually enjoy the song or not. So there you go.)
I completely understand why they would try to get “American validation”; because at this point you Have to force people to pay attention to your art and yourself, and to value your craft —especially if you are POC. But at the same time, they are supressing SO much creativity by doing so/if they continue to do so. Because they want to fit a standard because that's what is accepted. But why would you overwork yourself only to end up being part of the standard and blend with everyone else? When you clearly are not like everyone else, and neither is your art.