Here's Why Justin Bieber's Grammy Nod Left Him Scratching His Head
Grammy nominations are in and everyone's buzzing about who was recognized and who wasn't. Justin Bieber was among the many artists getting one of the prestigious nominations.
Bieber was nominated in four categories. He scored a Best Pop Solo Performance nomination for a performance of his single, "Yummy." There's a Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Intentions," featuring Migos star Quavo. Another Bieber collaboration was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his feature on Dan + Shay's "10,000 Hours." Last, but not least, is his Best Pop Vocal Album nomination for Changes.
Now, Bieber is no stranger to the Grammys. He was nominated 10 times before 2020 and won in 2015 for "Where Are Ü Now." His nominations this year are likely to be compared to the work of artists that were snubbed, including The Weeknd and Kehlani. Despite the achievement, he wasn't exactly thrilled to be among the chosen few.
Justin Bieber saw his album differently than the Grammy committee did
Justin Bieber took to Instagram shortly after his nomination to share a message with the Grammys. A lot of fans were surprised at what he had to say. "To the Grammys, I am flattered to be acknowledged and appreciated for my artistry," his pictured note reads. "I am very meticulous and intentional about my music. With that being said, I set out to make an R&B album. Changes was and is an R&B album. It is not being acknowledged as an R&B album, which is very strange to me."
"I grew up admiring R&B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound," he continued. "For this not to be put into that category feels weird, considering from the chords to the melodies to the vocal style, all the way down to the hip-hop drums that were chosen, it is undeniably, unmistakably an R&B album."
He wrapped up with being thankful, but firm in his critique, "To be clear, I absolutely love Pop music, it was just wasn't what I set out to make this time around. My gratitude for feeling respected for my work remains and I am honored to be nominated either way." Bieber then captioned the photo, "Please don't mistake this as me being ungrateful, these are just my thoughts take em or leave em. Thank you to the people who fought for me to even have any noms." Depending on his work, maybe next year Bieber will be pleased with the category he's place in.