The Weeknd made a shock look and efficiency on the 2025 Grammys after he had introduced three years prior that he deliberate to boycott the present following his 2021 snub.
The Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. launched the efficiency as he mirrored on criticism that the Recording Academy obtained, specifically from The Weeknd (actual identify Abel Tesfaye). In 2021, The Weeknd known as out the Recording Academy after his hit After Hours album was snubbed from the album of the yr class — After Hours held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart for greater than three weeks — as was his hit single “Blinding Lights” for report of the yr.
“The Grammys stay corrupt. You owe me, my followers and the business transparency…” he tweeted on the time.
Tensions continued to escalate, nonetheless, when The Weeknd revealed on social media that he was planning his Grammy efficiency “for weeks” earlier than studying he obtained zero nominations. “Collaboratively planning a efficiency for weeks to not being invited? For my part zero nominations = you’re not invited!” The Weeknd tweeted.
“After I took on this function again in 2020, I needed the group to alter and modernize so we might be higher and serve this dynamic and international music group,” Mason jr. throughout Sunday night time’s Grammys. “However my early days weren’t precisely easy.”
“The Academy confronted some actual criticism from many in our music group. Some artists had been fairly vocal with their complaints. I keep in mind waking as much as the headlines that the Weeknd known as out the Academy for a scarcity of transparency in our awards. He went as far as to announce he was boycotting the Grammys. That made for some attention-grabbing studying over breakfast,” he continued.
Mason jr. went on to say of The Weeknd, “Criticism is OK. I heard him. I felt his conviction.”
The Recording Academy CEO then defined how the group has change into “devoted to the well-being of all music makers, and one which displays your entire music group for now and for future generations.”
“So over the previous few years, we’ve listened, we’ve acted, and we’ve modified,” he stated. He famous that the Recording Academy has since launched initiatives just like the Black Music Collective, Ladies within the Combine and Academy Proud. He additionally talked about how they added greater than 3,000 ladies voting members and the grand voters is “now youthful” and “almost 40 % individuals of shade” and 66 % new members.
“There’s nonetheless work to be finished, however I firmly consider we’re on the appropriate path,” he added. “As we’ve seen tonight, music is a robust drive for good. It heals us, it unites us, and we’d like that on this metropolis proper now. With that in thoughts, on a very particular night time, what higher solution to convey us collectively than this subsequent artist?”
Mason jr. then introduced that The Weeknd was making his return to the stage to carry out and that he has “seen the work that the Academy has put in.” The Weeknd then carried out his tune “Timeless” alongside Playboi Carti.
The efficiency comes amid the singer lately releasing his new studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow through XO / Republic Information. The album serves as the ultimate chapter of his trilogy collection following After Hours (2020) and Daybreak FM (2022). The artist can even kick off a stadium tour throughout North America on Could 9 in Phoenix.
The 67th annual Grammys aired stay on Sunday from the Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles. Take a look at the purple carpet seems to be.
