Beyoncé’s Historic Grammy Night Met with Criticism from the Scene

Artists and fans took sides on social media after Beyoncé swept the dance/electronic category at the 65th Grammy Awards.

Last night, the 65th edition of the Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles and it was filled with the usual frenzy of snubs and surprises. Harry Styles won album of the year for his project Harry’s House, while Lizzo took home record of the year for her dynamic number “About Damn Time.” Although it was a big night for many artists—it was Beyoncé who made history.

The 41-year-old artist entered Sunday evening with nine nominations and 28 Grammys and finished the night with four awards, setting the record for the most Grammy wins for any artist. However, two of the categories the pop star won in—best dance/electronic music album and best dance/electronic recording—have drawn criticism from people in the dance community.

When the 2022 Grammy nominations were revealed in November, many online expressed that the dance categories would be an easy win for Beyoncé and the work of prominent dance artists would be overshadowed. Mixmag even conducted an investigation as to why there is pop crossover into the dance music category, which dates back to artists such as Cher, Madonna, and Justin Timberlake, among others, winning the award.

The other artists nominated for best dance/electronic music album this year included ODESZA, Diplo, Bonobo, and RÜFÜS DU SOL, while those same four artists, along with KAYTRANADA and David Guetta, were nominated for best dance/electronic recording.

Yet, shortly after sweeping both categories, producers and fans alike quickly took to social media to air their frustration. Some looked at Beyoncé’s win as a pop star using this genre for her own gain, while others aired their frustation that the nominees who dedicated their careers to the electronic space were being snubbed.

I don’t really want to harp on it too much but Beyoncé taking both electronic categories at The Grammies is just so tragic to all the artists who live this music day in and day out
— Dave Dresden (@davedresden) February 6, 2023

In addition to the outcry, artists like KILL SCRIPT and Surf Mesa made fun of the situation, while producers like TINYKVT joked that Beyoncé would headline EDC Las Vegas this year.

beyoncé may have won a grammy for best dance album but i bet u she’s never been at the afterhours fighting for her life lit off a tesla
— SCRIPT (@script_av) February 6, 2023

But not everyone in the dance scene shared the negative sentiment. Artists including Nala and Party Pupils wrote on Twitter that Beyonce’s Renaissance album and her summer anthem, “BREAK MY SOUL,” rightfully belonged in these music sections, referencing that her seventh studio project features heavy dance, disco influences with production credits from dance artists. (Skrillex, Honey Dijon, Green Velvet, and Nile Rodgers are among many of the artists who worked on Renaissance.)

Wenzday made a distinct observation on social media, saying that the noise from white electronic artists about Beyoncé’s win is troubling. And Alex Amaro said having the best dance music album award televised was a “big deal” for the scene because it will introduce more people to artists like ODESZA, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Bonobo.

The rhetoric I’m seeing from white electronic artists in regards to Beyoncé and her Grammy wins is so disturbing. Using her to “spark” conversations for clout is not it. There’s room at the table for everyone to eat + if that scares you then u need to look deep inside.
— WENZDAY (@wenzdaymusic) February 6, 2023

Regardless of how the dance community feels about Beyoncé’s win, during her acceptance speech for best dance/electronic album—which logged her 32nd Grammy win—she gave proper credit to the pioneers of dance music who inspired her Grammy-winning album. “I would like to thank the queer community for your love, and for inventing the genre.”

Watch below for Beyoncé’s full acceptance speech.

Beyoncé's win for Best Dance/Electronic Album, for 'Renaissance,' just made her stand alone as the most decorated winner in the history of the #GRAMMYs, with her 32nd trophy at music's biggest awards show pic.twitter.com/0S0UDR47e7
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) February 6, 2023

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