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Petition for a remedy
To/Against/For: Neo-soul Grammy Category“And the winner is…?” No one from the neo-soul circuit that’s for sure! How is it that Nu-soul artists are signed to major record labels, produce consistent gold selling records, maintain in the radio and the video rotation and yet can’t get a Grammy nomination category?
I’m sure more than likely the rebuttals to my query would be some where along the lines of, “Because neo-soul doesn’t have a high enough volume in record sales and radio play; Nu-soul artists are not platinum selling artists; Neo-soul isn’t a recognized genre of music; It doesn’t have a strong enough fan base…” No matter what the excuse may be as to why this artistic medium isn’t noteworthy of Grammy acceptance, “it’s not good enough!” Especially, when the statistical excuses I’ve mentioned are merely taken in consideration, but ultimately voted upon by a committee.
In support of this argument for Nu-soul, consider this; this year’s awards featured eight winning categories. One of which could have possibly been reserved specifically for nu-soul artists (Best Contemporary R&B Album). But instead of the nominees rightfully being to the likes of India Arie, Eric Benet, and Dwele (whom all released albums in 2008); the nominees were Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, J Holiday, Jazmine Sullivan, and Karina?
Meanwhile, the Neo Artists that were considered were scattered about the categories: Anthony David featuring India Arie for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with vocals; Eric Benet for Best R&B Album; Rafael Saadiq for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance; and not even an honorable mention for Dwele, Ledesi, Musiq Soulchild, Conya Doss or any other artists of this genre who released albums and/or performed for 2008.
So what gives? With outstanding Caucasian artists like Robin Thicke, Natasha Bedingfield, and Rhian Benson, it certainly isn’t a race issue. In fact, the only time anyone of this genre of music is even considered is when they’re exclusively declared as R&B artists, and the popularity of they’re music prevails. So perhaps the Grammy’s is a popularity contest? If that’s the case, then this opens a moot point for having Folk music and Polka as eligible categories; and there certainly isn’t any vast popularity in that. Either there’s a political influence, or there’s one hell of an underground society for those genres.
Since the emergence of prominent artists like Eric Benet, Maxwell, Erykah Badu, etc… Neo-soul has paid its dues, sustained respectable longevity, established a worldwide fan base, has been nominated and has won against top selling traditional R&B Artists. But to no avail, the art form obviously hasn’t done enough to be considered by The Academy's Awards & Nominations Committee, and The Academy’s trustees who deliberates and delegates the final voting process. Perhaps the Grammy’s music panel needs more diversity on its board that can identify with the changing times of music.
In the past, though difficult in convincing, it took hip-hop/rap roughly 10 years to earn the respect of the Grammy’s and be nominated in its own category with the help of hip-hop pioneers like Run DMC, LL Cool J, NWA, and Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince among others, the award show proved to be less impervious adopting Rap in 1989. This only solidifies my point that as time changes, so does the music and this change should be respectfully recognized.
But the Grammy’s are not the only musical award show to having trouble placing neo-soul within its nominees. The “Black” Entertainment Television Awards has an award category for its BET Jazz network. It predominantly recognizes neo-artists in this category, but what about the real jazz musicians. Who will respect the art of instrumentation? Neo-soul is not jazz, it is its own art form in a “jazzy kind of way” if you will. With so many more artists deriving from its influence, it should be categorized as “Neo” or “Nu” Soul, and Jazz should be set aside for prolific jazz artists. Nonetheless, there wasn’t a single nomination for any neo-artist at the American Music Awards; how American!
Although some who fit the criteria of “Nu-soul artist” choose to disassociate themselves with the badge given to the art form by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990’s, the DNA of the musical art form should still be commended and respected for those who influenced its entity. Those musical influences to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gay to name a few.
Grammy nominations not only recognize the presence, talents, and accomplishments of great artists, with millions of viewers and thousands in attendance at the star studded event. It gives artists of all genres broad exposure, and grants the opportunity for a fair shot at the prestigious award. If Mary J. Blige and India Arie running for R&B Album of the year reaches a board agreement because the albums were that significant, then so be it. But with so many Nu-soul artists waiting in the wing, there should be a category that would grant at least five artists of this genre the opportunity to be recognized by the world stage.
Considering it’s longevity as a recognizable art form, to the record labels who endorse them, and its fans, I deem it is necessary to take a stand and “petition for a remedy” for this far too long, over looked musical art form. The petition is not intended to bash the Grammy’s or any other Award Show for any bias opinionating; it’s simply an attention grabbing method to justify the importance of Nu-soul artists. Whether its R&B Soul, Neo-Soul, Nu-Soul, Alternative R&B, Organic Soul, or Contemporary R&B, the entire proverbial award show community should take notice to its significance, and record labels should stress this pressing issue in support of its artists. I’m calling on the support of everyone who has love for Nu-soul.
Give Neo a chance… together let’s petition for a remedy!
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| Vdor | Thank you everyone taking a stand for Nu-Soul artists, for the love of their music and supporting this campaigne. Remember "there's strength in numbers." Together we can petition for a remedy! |
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