Harry Styles Beats Out Beyoncé In Album Of The Year Upset
In a disappointing yet unsurprising feat, Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” won the Album of the Year Grammy over Beyoncé’s “Renaissance.”
This year, the former One Direction member earned six Grammy nominations: Record of The Year, Song of The Year, Best Music Video and Best Pop Solo Performance for his hit single “As It Was,” as well as Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of The Year for “Harry’s House.”
Aside from Styles and Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Adele, Lizzo, ABBA, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlile and Coldplay were also up for the Album of the Year award.
After performing “As It Was” on the Grammys stage earlier Sunday, Styles gave a brief acceptance speech, in utter shock like many of us were.
Harry Styles accepts the Album Of The Year award for “Harry's House” onstage during the 65th Grammy Awards on Feb. 5 in Los Angeles.
Stating that he’s inspired by many artists in the category, he said, “There’s no such thing as best in music ... This doesn’t happen to people like me very often.”
Styles is a nine-time Grammy nominee. Before Sunday’s award ceremony, the singer had one win under his belt: Best Pop Solo Performance for his single “Watermelon Sugar” in 2021. “Harry’s House” is the third studio album by Styles.
Many fans saw Styles’ win as yet another instance of the Recording Academy unduly praising a white artist who maintained the status quo, citing Adele’s “25” winning over Beyoncé’s “Formation” in 2017. While “Harries” were elated online, many saw this as a slap in the face to Beyoncé and Black artists.
They called Harry Styles the new King of Pop and gave him AOTY over the best body of work released in recent memory. And hyped the entire show on Beyonce’s back to drive ratings. I wish I could say I’m shocked. #GRAMMYs
— Geneva S. Thomas (@GenevaSThomas) February 6, 2023
Beyoncé losing Album of The Year at the #GRAMMYs?
They continue to prove their bias towards Latino & Black people.
Wasn't it enough for Beyoncé to lose in 2016 with Lemonade?
Beyoncé continues to be boycotted, without AOTY & used as a token to disguise the Academy’s racism. pic.twitter.com/PC6RYIOe8K— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) February 6, 2023
“This doesn’t happen to people like me often”
- a white man winning aoty for the umpteenth time in history— ✨Glendale 3/17 & 3/18✨🌙 (@DaynerysSwift_) February 6, 2023
Denying Beyoncé AOTY… during black history month… the Grammy’s never seeing heaven.
— maybe: diane (@dianelyssa) February 6, 2023
Harry Styles can’t act and can’t sing, yet was in two movies this year and won AOTY. Never give up on your dreams, white dudes.
— Danez (@Danez_Smif) February 6, 2023