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MARK, MY WORDS - When a naked woman who looks like she is being held hostage is the most interesting moment in the 2025 Grammy Awards show, it’s time to end it before we have to dig a trench to lower the bar any further. I don’t know about anyone else, but that red carpet display was nothing more than an attention grab through shameless exploitation of a woman. Like the Academy Awards, it has become a glorified fashion show where the prize goes to whoever pushes the envelope the furthest; a narcissism parade of attention seeking performers who need the viewers to focus on anything else besides their boring and vacuous attempts at art.
I’m sorry to break it to you folks, but if you think you are listening to the latest “fill in the blank with your favorite artist ” song, you are mistaken. The industry has misled the public for years regarding the “artist” misnomer, in that most pop stars are merely performers who have marginal creative input of the music they are associated with. That task is left to a self-appointed oligarchy of financiers, producers and teams of writers, stylists and dance coaches who fashion cash-cow tulpas to make whatever music will generate the most likes, followers and money.
Back in my day (yes, I’m that old) there was no wondering about who the creative forces were behind acts like The Stones, Zeppelin, Dylan, The Clash, Blondie, even Elvis. It was THEM; the artists who made music to share melodies, genuine emotion and ideas with the world because they had no other choice. They were compelled by a higher calling and a drive that could only be fulfilled by creating, not imitating; rebelling, not following. Technology and machines were tools used by artists, not their subjugators.
Beyonce, best country artist? Is this satire or some sort of WOKE payback for Eminem taking best Rap album? Arguably, a white guy winning in that category could be seen as offensive to some, but at least he lived it! He was respected in the Rap community because he was talented and he was real, writing songs about his life with a very original voice and Rap style. The Beyonce country record is at best a transparent marketing ploy to stay relevant and at worst, a shaving commercial or trailer for the end of a career.
The award for best on the nose showstopper of course, goes to the Kanye and Bianca red carpet Show. I don’t pretend to know what Kanye and Bianca’s relationship is, but judging by her language and facial expression, she is giving a solid “HELP ME” in place of the usual “LOOK AT ME.” Apparently, displays having nothing to do with celebrating music don’t make them any less appealing to those who simply don’t care and love flashing lights and special effects.
I’m not suggesting that pushing social norms isn’t or shouldn’t be part of a celebration of artists, fashion and music, but the smell of desperation is so thick, it’s hard to see the point anymore. Rather than an awards presentation to acknowledge deserving artists, producers, writers and performers (They are not all the same by the way. That is why we have nomination categories.), it has become a reminder to the world of how low the Entertainment business can go.
Behind all the glitz and glamour, there used to be a foundation of art and often, social commentary that changed and arguably improved society; a soundtrack to a revolution and the evolution of ideas. Perhaps music has lost its soul or transformative power. Perhaps it is becoming only background noise for the reality show that our on camera, online “reality” has become. I hope not.
(Mark Dutton is a lifelong musician, music producer, and writer. He was arguing politics with his parents since he was a pre-teen. Majored in psychology and left college in his 3rd year on a 30 year magic bus trip around the world playing and writing music with some of the best in the biz. Mark is a contributor to CityWatchLA.com.)
