The Grammys are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the music industry. Presented by the Recording Academy, these awards recognize excellence in various categories, including producing, songwriting and performing. While many of the winners at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards were predictable, others came as a surprise. Although I am thrilled to see many artists receive long overdue recognition for their contributions to the music industry, I cannot help but feel disappointed that other deserving artists went home empty-handed.
One of the most shocking snubs of the night was Billie Eilish, who went 0-7 in her nominations. Eilish has been making musical history and has gained the attention of avid music connoisseurs since the release of her debut single, “Ocean Eyes,” in 2015. Flash forward to 2025 and Eilish is an award-winning American singer and songwriter who has already become an extremely impactful artist just 10 years into her career. Going into the 2025 Grammys, she was nominated for seven different categories, three of them being “Big 4” categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Her song, “Birds of a Feather,” was nominated for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year while the album that this hit song was a part of, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” was nominated for Album of the Year.
Eilish has seen dozens of achievements in her career thus far. Notably, in 2024-2025 alone, Eilish averaged nearly 110 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. This made her the youngest artist to ever achieve this milestone in addition to being the fifth most-streamed artist globally in 2024. She also made history by becoming the youngest person to win two Academy Awards. These are merely a few of her numerous achievements, and Eilish’s fans patiently await her next masterpiece. At just 23 years old, Eilish has broken multiple chart records and won several major awards for her work in the music and film industries.
Many argue that Grammys are not awarded solely based on streams or popularity, emphasizing that the awards are determined by the Recording Academy, a group of music industry professionals who focus more on artistic and technical merit rather than a simple popularity contest. However, to suggest that Eilish lacks artistic or technical merit would be completely inaccurate. Her impact is undeniable as she has resonated deeply with her audience by openly addressing mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia. Songs like “Everything I Wanted” and “What Was I Made For?” have provided comfort to those who have felt misunderstood in the past. Eilish’s music has constantly provided a safe place for her listeners, acting as a haven for those who might feel overlooked by other popular radio tunes. Her ability to create personal music and unique productions alongside her brother Finneas showcases both her artistic abilities as well as her vision and technical skills. Beyond the music itself, her authenticity and willingness to challenge industry norms makes her a trailblazer. Eilish has an undeniable influence and artistic depth, so to dismiss her as undeserving of recognition would completely contradict the qualities the Grammys claims to celebrate.
