Canadian star, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, is officially boycotting the Grammys, the singer told The New York Times.
The news comes as the organization behind the Grammys is facing scrutiny over its secretive voting system and alleged biases against Black and female artists. The 63rd annual event will air this Sunday.
Many were left shocked after The Weeknd failed to receive any nominations for the 2021 awards for his latest album, ‘After Hours’.
He has pledged a permanent boycott of the Grammys, alleging corruption within its nomination process.
“Because of the secret committees,” he told the New York Times, “I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys.”
Of Tesfaye’s newly announced boycott, Grammys interim president Harvey Mason Jr told the New York Times:
“We’re all disappointed when anyone is upset. But I will say that we are constantly evolving. And this year, as in past years, we are going to take a hard look at how to improve our awards process, including the nomination review committees.”
Mason said that the nomination review committees were established in 1989 “to eliminate the potential for a general-awareness bias that might favour artists who enjoy greater name recognition over emerging artists, independent music and late-year releases”.