Entertainment
Cardi B highlights ‘overshadowed’ Black artists ahead of Grammys amid The Weeknd controversy: ‘This is their moment too’
Cardi B has given a shout out to ‘small Black artists’ who are up for Grammys this year amid the controversy surrounding nominations.
The Weeknd has been the most vocal about the 2021 nominees as he was snubbed in every category for his album After Hours, accusing the awards of being corrupt.
The rapper released a statement ahead of the ceremony, where the likes of Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa will perform, highlighting Black musicians whose nominations may have been overshadowed by the furore.
She said on Twitter: ‘How I feel bout the Grammies. Don’t forget to congratulate the small black artist that got nominated that got overshadowed again cause of the drama .It’s their moment finally! (sic)’
Her statement praised artists such as Jay Electronica, Kaytranada, Chika and Thundercat ‘that didn’t get the exposure by blogs, magazines and other award shows’.
Cardi went on: ‘It’s frustrating sometimes to work and work on your craft and you feel overlooked because you might not look like others, are not mixxy so you not always around other artists, you rap or song about different material, you stay out of drama and the media or yet still not as popular however you’re talented add f**k and one day you wake up and you find out you’re nominated and got a notice from one of the biggest award shows purely because of your TALENT! (sic)’.
‘Soo besides all of the bulls**t let’s not forget to congratulate these artists,’ she continued.
‘This is their moment too and they been working their ass off with no exposure and let’s not overshadow it with feelings cause your favourite might not be on the list. (sic)
‘Congrats guys and good luck on the Grammys. You deserve it.’
The Bodak Yellow rapper previously explained she didn’t submit her hit WAP, which featured Megan Thee Stallion, for consideration as she hadn’t released an album yet.
Beyonce leads this year’s nominations while Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift and Megan Thee Stallion also received nods.
South Korean boy band BTS landed their first ever nod for their English-language single Dynamite, and will also perform on the night.
The Grammy Awards will air live on CBS from Staples Corner and the LA Convention Centre at 8pm ET (1am in the UK) on Sunday March 14.
