This week CBS hosted the 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony. The ceremony featured some of the biggest musical acts from around the world.
One of the musicians to win an award was pop star Harry Styles. The English singer, songwriter, and actor took home the award for “Album of the Year” on Sunday night. However, despite critical acclaim from the music industry, Styles is receiving backlash online following his acceptance speech.
Users on Twitter have charged Harry Styles with the crime of “white privilege”. Watch his acceptance speech below and see what you think.
.@Harry_Styles accepts the GRAMMY for Album of the Year at the 65th #GRAMMYs 🎶 pic.twitter.com/hD3UoBiJMo
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 6, 2023
Upon receiving his award on stage, Harry Styles said:
“Man I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me. A lot of different times in my life I listen to everyone in this category when I’m alone and I think like on nights like tonight, it’s obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music. I don’t think any of us sit in the studio thinking, making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these. This is really, really kind. I’m so so grateful. I’m gonna pass it over to my collaborators who are I’m just so – this doesn’t happen to people like me very often. And this is so nice. Thank you very very much.”
Users on Twitter have honed in on something very specific Harry said in his closing statement, “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often.” People on social media were quick to dispute this claim.
NPR journalist Sam Sanders ranted on Twitter following Styles’ comment:
“This doesn’t happen to people like me” is the most white privilege-iest thing to ever be uttered at an awards show ever for all time.
“This doesn’t happen to people like me” is what the Karen says before she calls the cops on you for no reason.
“This doesn’t happen to people like me” is what the guy whose dad got him the job says when he gets that bullshit award at work.
“This doesn’t happen to people like me” is what that legacy admit says when they get a full ride
“This doesn’t happen to people like me” is the most white privilege-iest thing to ever be uttered at an awards show ever for all time
— Sam Sanders (@samsanders) February 6, 2023
This year the Grammy’s has certainly been the topic of conversation and not necessarily for good reasons. Particularly, many feel that nonbinary pop star Sam Smith’s performance with hyper-sexualized satanic imagery was a “lame attempt” to anger Christians.
The American Tribune wrote:
Anyone else remember being younger and so excited to sit up late watching the Grammy’s? Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Whitney Houston; the Grammy’s were a showcase for the best and brightest in the music industry. The opportunity to see and hear our favorite artists on live television was huge. Now it’s a lowly rated, mostly forgotten sideshow that is simply indicative of our crumbling Western culture. The lack of artistry and creativity in the music world is shocking. Real talent has been replaced with grotesque displays of crassness and sexuality disguised as art. In short, like most awards shows, no one cares anymore.
…The music industry is no longer about talent as much as the sideshow, and there isn’t much envelope left to push musically, so today’s artists are using vulgar sexuality, obesity, and images intended to shock people. The problem is most everything has been done already, just better.
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