SZA, the most nominated woman at this year’s Grammys, went home empty-handed Sunday night.
Nominated for Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Urban Contemporary Album, and Best R&B Performance, the singer lost in every category after the Recording Academy refused to put respect on the singer’s name. The singer lost the major category, Best New Artist, to “Here” singer Alessia Cara.
CTRL, the singer’s debut album, was one of the most talked about projects of 2017. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and went gold in October.
ESSENCE’s own editorial director Yolanda Sangweni and others pointed out the similarities between SZA’s loss and India Arie’s 2002 Grammys snub. Arie was nominated for seven Grammys, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.