Grammy Awards poll: Was Justin Bieber robbed?
OK, so maybe it wasn't so crazy that Justin Bieber lost the Grammy Award for pop vocal album to Lady Gaga. "The Fame Monster" was nominated for album of the year; Justin's "My World 2.0" was not.
But what about the award for best new artist, eh? Justin Bieber was clearly the hottest new artist of the year. He set music sales records, whipped up a media frenzy, created hysterical stampedes and crowd crushes at concert venues. He proved that he's award worthy by already claiming this same trophy from the American Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards.
Or is there true justice in the fact this Grammy was bestowed to Esperanza Spalding? After all, she's a critically praised jazz artist who needs more public recognition.
-- Tom O'Neil
Photo credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press
cmon he deserved to win he didnt expect to he hoped too!
Posted by: haters cmon! JUSTIN BIEBER OR DRAKE DESERVED THAT GRAMMY! | February 21, 2011 at 05:09 PM
CMON THE BEST NEW ARTIST IS SOME ONE THAT HAS SOLD ALOT OF RECORDS MADE THEIR NAME AND HELPS OTHERS AND THATS WHAT JUSTIN BIEBER DOES THATS WHY HES A BEST NEW ARTIST NOMINEE CMON HE DESERVED TO WIN PLEASE NO ONE HAS EVEN HEARD OF MS. SPALDING! CONGRATS TO HER BUT CMON! THEY WERE ROBBED!
Posted by: haters cmon! JUSTIN BIEBER OR DRAKE DESERVED THAT GRAMMY! | February 21, 2011 at 05:04 PM
It seems that people (kids) are a bit confused as to how the Grammy's works. The awards do NOT go to the person who sells the most records, who makes the most money or who appears in the media the most. The awards go to the most talented in their category. Now, we can argue that maybe others in the Best New Artist category deserved it more than Ms. Spalding, but arguing that Justin Bieber is more talented is a waste of time.
Posted by: Michelle | February 14, 2011 at 05:43 PM
There was no true justice in a few catagories last night , so people needed public attention but what a way to get it?
Posted by: lucille gipson | February 14, 2011 at 04:13 PM
What an outrage, Who got paid to look the other way. He has done more than any talent his age to EARN the "Best new artist". Hey you, guess what, he can't win this award next year. He earned and deserved to win this award. What a screw up. Hey Beiber, this is what you have to look out for in the future, it's called prejudice.
Posted by: lucille gipson | February 14, 2011 at 04:09 PM
I think Ms. Spalding deserved to win. Justin Bieber merely got his fame from a youtube video and then getting sponsored by an already famous singer. Ms. Spalding worked for about 5 years to get where she was today, and definently deserved the award. She was a "new" artist because this was the year her work actually got recognized. I personally have been a fan of her music way before Justin Bieber was even in 6th grade. I think she fully deserved it, and if she didnt win It most definently shoud have gone to Florence and the Machine for she is extremely talented too.
Posted by: Jackki | February 14, 2011 at 03:10 PM
I have no patience for "artists" like Bieber who feels "entitled" to a prestigious award like a Grammy. His music (if you want to call that noise that) may sell records but huge record sales does not equate to art. For crying out loud, he is 16 years old. He needs to grow up or better yet man up. Whining about his loss makes me irked by him even more so.
Posted by: Erica | February 14, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Someone mentioned that Drake was robbed too. Ha, that guy is horrible. It's true I've only seen him preforming live on talk shows, but he is off key and his rhymes aren't even cutting edge, meaningful, or flow together well.
When I hear him come on now, I instantly change the station. It's not worth wasting my time trying to listen to him.
Posted by: Matt | February 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM
While I've always pooh-poohed NARAS' new rules on the eligibility for Best New Artist--I still prefer the old rules: an artist who releases his/her/their first debut recording during the eligibility period is an eligible candidate for Best New Artist. After witnessing Esperanza's performance at the White House on PBS, she's no doubt deserving of the award. She's talented vocally and musically. She may not be a hit-making commercial product a la Justin Bieber or Drake but she has great potential for growth in other musical genres as well. NARAS made the right choice honoring craft and artistry over commercial manufactured schlock such as Bieber and Drake...Remember NARAS is all about honoring excellence in the recording industry (chuckle, chuckle, wink, wink)...look at the Grammys' history and you can see why I chuckle, chuckle, wink, wink...The true crime here would have been a Bieber win...a crime and an embarrassment...and NARAS has enough of those already.
Posted by: ChaChaheels | February 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I have watched the local and national news and talk shows and most of main-stream have never heard of
Esperanza Spalding. How did she get nominated and win?
I think most of main-stream at least know who Justin Bieber is. I would say it was a common sense no-brainer that he deserved the award. I don't think there is a harder working more deserving up and coming artist than he.
I am a 40-something mom who chaperoned my daughter's soccer team to see Justin Bieber's movie over the weekend. I love jazz music and am thrilled to learn of a new artist that is evidently very talented. But I would say this was an advertising pro rather than a deserved award.
No disrespect meant to Ms. Spalding. But Justin deserved the title.
Posted by: Lesa Abernethy | February 14, 2011 at 09:27 AM
jb i luvvvvvv uuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: hatgat | February 14, 2011 at 04:21 AM
According to USA TODAY's Brian Mansfiel, Esperanza Spalding's latest album, "Chamber Music Society", has sold a mere 31,000 copies. Justin Bieber's latest album, "My World 2.0" sold 283,000 copies in its debut week. Justin had 4-5 hits from his first official album, not to mention a few other hits from his EP, "My World". How many hits does Esperanza has? Anyone, please let me know! Now if the Grammy is not based on sales or popularity, then what is it based on? Don't get me wrong, I'm open to all genre of music, but fair is fair!
Posted by: RH | February 14, 2011 at 12:33 AM
Possibly one of the biggest upsets. Also a lot of the people who are suddenly behind Esperanza had no clue who she was a few hours ago. Lots of bandwagon people who just don't like Justin Bieber. I was noticing the trend on Twitter and it seems to have moved to all forums now. Now she's like a savior of some sorts. Seriously just because the kid is talented and you find him annoying doesn't mean he didn't deserve the award. Drake and Florence + The Machine are equally brilliant and I feel like they were robbed as well. Clearly the Grammy Voters had some sort of soft spot for her because she appeared with the Grammy President on stage. Fix anyone?
Posted by: Estevan | February 13, 2011 at 11:59 PM
Justin Beiber deserves to win Best New Artist Grammy Awards. He's amazing new artist while Ms. Spalding is already artist in the past since 2006, she is not new artist any more. J Bieb was robbed.
Posted by: Jazz Marin | February 13, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Someone at the Grammys majorly missed the boat on this one.
Posted by: jen | February 13, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Justin Bieber as been around since 1996, how did she win BEST NEW artist?
Posted by: Andrew | February 13, 2011 at 10:23 PM
As some else pointed out spalding has been around since 2006 and has release 3 albums. Compare to the other artist in the category she basically a veteran.
Posted by: jayjayjj50 | February 13, 2011 at 10:04 PM
JB is a teenager. If he has staying power than time will tell. Ms. Spalding is amazingly talented, classic and is well deserving. Goes to show you don't need mass marketing and 3-D movies to be recognized for your talents.
Posted by: mm | February 13, 2011 at 09:22 PM
Esperanza Spalding has been around since 2006, how did she win BEST NEW artist?
Posted by: Apps 55753818692 100000088233919 De861bb5c41e8473cea4135241a173ff | February 13, 2011 at 08:46 PM