On Feb. 5th, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the biggest, most controversial music ceremony of the year, the 65th annual Grammy awards hosted by The Recording Academy. That night fans would be left disappointed by the ceremony’s outcome. With controversy spanning across all award categories, the most outrageous criticism comes from the ceremony’s most prestigious and highly anticipated award of the night–Album of the Year.

The coveted Album of the Year award went home to Harry Styles for “Harry’s House” which had many people confused. As the singer gave his acceptance speech for the award Beyonce was seated in the audience having lost the category. Beyonce’s album “Renaissance” fell victim to the Grammys’ poor judgment, particularly in the Album of the Year category.

Beyonce’s loss that night is a reflection of the pattern the Grammys repeat every year which is depriving culturally significant works of their much-deserved recognition.

The album’s cultural significance rests in its connection to black and queer artistry. More specifically, the album pulls musical inspiration from Donna Summer-inspired disco music, as well as incorporating techno music that was pioneered by black, queer artists in the “underground LGBTQ-dominated ballroom scene” according to Rolling Stone magazine. 

Beyonce’s homage to black, queer culture makes the album culturally significant in a way that its competitor “Harry’s House” just does not match through its catchy yet hollow songs. Perhaps Juana Summers of National Public Radio (NPR) puts its best, “It’s expansive. And she’s just making a point of acknowledging people’s contributions. She’s saying to the Black, queer community, I see you.”

Adding to the insult of Beyonce’s loss that night is the fact that this is the third time she has lost the award for an album with notable ties to black culture. For instance, in 2017 the Grammys sparked similar controversy over Album of the Year when Adele’s “25” robbed Beyonce’s “Lemonade” of the award. The loss was especially upsetting considering “Lemonade’s” focus on black culture, described as a “celebration of Black identity” by The Guardian.

However, questionable decisions by the Recording Academy that night do not end there. Previously in the ceremony, the award for Song of the Year was presented to Bonnie Raitt for the song “Just Like That.” This misstep by the academy cost Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film)” the award.

The Song of the Year category presents itself as yet another instance in which the Grammys have opted to award the remarkably less significant contender instead of its superior opponent. While “All Too Well” may not carry the same cultural value as “Renaissance,” the song was strikingly more influential and received more widespread positive recognition than “Just Like That.”

“Just Like That” defenders may jump to discredit the quality of “All Too Well” simply because popularity does not equate to quality. However, the song’s popularity and impact are merely a reflection of its quality. In fact, while the song was influential enough to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was also ranked the 69th best song of all time by Rolling Stone. 

To directly compare the two songs in terms of impact, we can look no further than the Billboard Hot 100. “All Too Well” set the record as the longest No 1. Song on the Hot 100. Meanwhile, “Just Like That” singer Bonnie Raitt has yet to be on the hot 100 since 1995, according to Billboard.

Gaining massive popularity and having a significant impact on pop culture while garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews should’ve set “All Too Well” in a favorable position. Unfortunately, the Grammys have yet to break from their history of unhinged decisions.

When considering who walked away from the Grammys with the signature gold gramophone trophy, it is obvious the Recording Academy did what they do every year: disappoint fans. Once more the academy has failed to recognize the most impactful, influential music of the year.