The Grammys: A Celebration of Music or an Industry Illusion?

How “Music’s Biggest Night” Became More About Industry Politics Than the Music Itself

I’ve always loved music—across all genres. Rock, metal, blues, country, Tejano, jazz, soul… if it moves me, I’m in. Music has been a constant in my life, shaping moments, setting the mood, and giving me something to hold onto through good times and bad.

But when it comes to the Grammys—the so-called “biggest night in music”—I realized a long time ago that it’s not really about the music at all.

The Moment I Knew It Was a Farce

It was back in the ‘80s and ‘90s that I started putting the pieces together. The Grammys weren’t honoring the artists that fans actually listened to and supported. Instead, it was the industry insiders celebrating themselves, picking and choosing which artists to elevate. That disconnect became crystal clear in 1989 when Jethro Tull won the first-ever Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Grammy over Metallica. A band best known for flute solos somehow beat out the biggest metal band on the planet? That was the moment I knew this wasn’t about the fans or the music—it was about the industry taking care of its own.

That realization only grew stronger over the years, and eventually, I just stopped watching. These days, I catch the highlights on YouTube and scroll through reactions. I don’t need to sit through three hours of industry back-patting and scripted hype.

An Event Built for TV, Not Music

I get why television networks hype up the Grammys. Live events are one of the last things keeping traditional TV afloat—awards shows, sports, and reality competitions are all they have left to draw big ratings and ad revenue. So they turn the night into a spectacle. The performances, the fashion, the over-the-top moments—those are what get people talking, not the actual awards.

But when you look at the winners, it’s clear that the industry is still operating under its own outdated rules. Back in the day, record sales were a good indicator of an artist’s impact. If millions of people were buying an album, that should have been reflected in the awards. Today, that measurement is gone, replaced by streaming, algorithms, and social media influence—metrics the Grammys haven’t really figured out how to incorporate.

Genre Confusion and Industry Favoritism

The way genres are defined at the Grammys has always been a little sketchy, but now it’s completely out of sync with reality. The lines between genres have blurred—streaming has made sure of that—but the Grammys still act as if the same old definitions apply.

Take Beyoncé and Kacey Musgraves—both undeniably talented artists, but do they really fit into the country category in the traditional sense? Not really. And yet, the industry places them there when it suits their narrative. Meanwhile, rock, a genre that once made record labels billions, is barely acknowledged anymore. The fact that the Rolling Stones won Best Rock Album in 2024 speaks volumes—not about the quality of their work (because the Stones are legends), but about how little the industry actually cares about rock today. There are plenty of modern rock and metal bands making waves, but they rarely get a seat at the table.

And then there’s the way the Grammys handle legacy artists. Musicians who played key roles in shaping major albums, like John Sykes (Whitesnake) and Jack Russell (Great White), barely get a mention when they pass away. If the Grammys are supposed to be a celebration of music’s greatest contributors, why do so many legends get overlooked?

No Disrespect to the Artists—The System Is the Problem

I don’t want to take anything away from the nominees or winners. At the end of the day, they’re artists making music that connects with people, and that’s worth celebrating no matter what. My issue isn’t with them—it’s with the organization, the voting process, and how the industry continues to manipulate the awards to fit its own agenda.

If anything, one of the few positive things about the Grammys is that they can sometimes introduce you to new artists who might not make it into your usual curated algorithms. At least this year I discovered bands like Fontaines D.C. and IDLES—two groups making raw, honest, and powerful music that might have slipped past me otherwise. If the Grammys have any real value these days, it’s in those unexpected discoveries.

The Grammys Need to Evolve

If the Grammys really want to be “music’s biggest night,” they need to overhaul their entire approach.

• Redefine genre categories to reflect how people actually consume music today.

• Create new categories that honor both emerging and legacy artists in meaningful ways.

• Recognize streaming and fan engagement as valid indicators of an artist’s impact.

• Make it less about the industry’s agenda and more about the artists and fans who keep music alive.

Until then, it’ll just be the same old routine: record execs patting themselves on the back and hyping up whoever they’ve decided is best for the profits.

Lessons for Creatives and Entrepreneurs

If there’s one thing creatives and entrepreneurs can take away from the Grammys, it’s this: don’t wait for validation from the “gatekeepers.” The Grammys, much like many traditional industries, still operate under outdated systems. They decide who gets the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean they define what’s great.

Musicians don’t need a Grammy to make an impact, just like entrepreneurs don’t need an investor’s approval to build something meaningful. Artists like Fontaines D.C. and IDLES prove that raw, passionate work will find its audience, even if it doesn’t fit the industry’s mold. The same goes for anyone building something new—whether it’s music, a business, or a creative project. The traditional institutions may not recognize you, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t making something valuable.

So instead of chasing approval, focus on your craft, your audience, and the real impact you’re making. The true measure of success isn’t in the awards—it’s in the connection, the work, and the lasting impression you leave behind.

Music Is Bigger Than Awards

At the end of the day, great music doesn’t need a Grammy to validate it. Music lives in the songs we connect with, the concerts we experience, and the memories we tie to those moments.

EVERY day is a celebration of music. Whether the Grammys get it right or not, we don’t need an award show to tell us what’s great. We already know.

Astro Joe Garcia

Reign - IDLES

IDLES’ “Reigns” is a blistering critique of power and elitism, making it a perfect match for the themes in this post. The song’s pounding intensity and repeated phrase “How does it feel to have blue blood coursing through your veins?” call out the untouchable ruling class—whether in politics, royalty, or, in this case, the music industry. The Grammys operate much the same way, with record execs and insiders playing kingmakers, deciding who gets elevated and who gets ignored. It’s less about what the people are actually listening to and more about who the industry deems worthy of recognition. Just like IDLES question the hierarchy of power, this post questions whether the Grammys are really “music’s biggest night” or just another way for the industry to congratulate itself while leaving entire genres and artists behind.