The Weeknd to continue boycotting the Grammys, calls them ‘corrupt’ despite major rule change

Despite inspiring some major internal changes, The Weeknd doesn’t plan on ending his feud with the Grammys any time soon.

The 31-year-old singer said he will continue withholding his music from consideration for the honors after a controversial response to his being shut out from this year’s ceremony.

‘The trust has been broken for so long between the Grammy organization and artists that it would be unwise to raise a victory flag,’ he told Variety on Monday about a recent rule change by the Recording Academy that eliminates the secret nomination-review committees that played a major role in his snubs.

Holding firm: Despite inspiring internal changes, The Weeknd doesn’t plan on ending his feud with the Grammys any time soon. The 31-year-old singer said he will continue withholding his music from consideration after being shut out from this year’s ceremony; pictured in 2016

After releasing one of the biggest albums and the most-streamed single of 2020, the Blinding Lights performer was entirely ignored by the Grammys when the nominations were announced in November.

The very messy dispute that followed included the star alleging corruption within the Grammys’ nomination process and vowing to boycott the award show.

Now he revealed he isn’t planning on changing his stance despite the latest changes announced by the Recording Academy on Friday, which he admitted is ‘an important start.’

‘I think the industry and public alike need to see the transparent system truly at play for the win to be celebrated, but it’s an important start,’ he told the outlet.

Response: 'The trust has been broken for so long between the Grammy organization and artists that it would be unwise to raise a victory flag,' he told Variety about a recent rule change by the Recording Academy that eliminates secret nomination-review committees; here in 2019

Response: ‘The trust has been broken for so long between the Grammy organization and artists that it would be unwise to raise a victory flag,’ he told Variety about a recent rule change by the Recording Academy that eliminates secret nomination-review committees; here in 2019

Snubbed: After releasing one of the biggest albums and the most-streamed single of 2020, the Blinding Lights performer was entirely ignored by the Grammys when the nominations were announced in November; seen performing in February

Snubbed: After releasing one of the biggest albums and the most-streamed single of 2020, the Blinding Lights performer was entirely ignored by the Grammys when the nominations were announced in November; seen performing in February

‘I remain uninterested in being a part of the Grammys, especially with their own admission of corruption for all these decades. I will not be submitting in the future,’ he added.

The Weeknd’s (real name: Abel Tesfaye) manager Wassim ‘Sal’ Slaiby also spoke out on the matter: ‘No change comes without a voice heard. I’m just proud of Abel for standing up for what he believes in. I was in a shock when all this happened but now I see it clearly, and I’m glad we stood for our beliefs.’

The Recording Academy did not provide a stated ‘admission of corruption’ regarding the rule change, and interim Grammy chief Harvey Mason Jr told Variety on Friday that he had been working to eliminate the committees long before this incident.

He declined to speculate whether or not the decision was influenced at all by the Weeknd controversy, but did say they are committed to making improvements.  

Transparency: Now he revealed he isn't planning on changing his stance despite the latest changes: 'I think the industry and public alike need to see the transparent system truly at play for the win to be celebrated, but it’s an important start' (photographed in 2016)

Transparency: Now he revealed he isn’t planning on changing his stance despite the latest changes: ‘I think the industry and public alike need to see the transparent system truly at play for the win to be celebrated, but it’s an important start’ (photographed in 2016)

Speculation: There was much online speculation that the exclusion had something to do with The Weeknd (here in February) being scheduled to perform during both the Super Bowl Half-Time Show and the Grammys — which were initially scheduled a week apart

Speculation: There was much online speculation that the exclusion had something to do with The Weeknd (here in February) being scheduled to perform during both the Super Bowl Half-Time Show and the Grammys — which were initially scheduled a week apart

 ‘Any time an artist, especially one of that stature, calls our process into question or thinks something is unfair… the Academy is of course going to be affected by that, and want to work to make things better,’ Mason said to the publication.

Ahead of the Grammys broadcast in March, the acclaimed musician released a statement to The New York Times: ‘Because of the secret committees. I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys.’  

At the time, Mason told Variety in response: ‘Some of it was [decided by] the [‘secret’] nominating committees and some was the voting body, because some of the awards he was eligible for did not have nominating committees, so it was a combination of both. 

‘But again, it’s unfortunate, we never like to see somebody as talented as the Weeknd get left out or feel left out. It’s not something any of us are happy about.’

Changes: The Recording Academy did not provide a stated 'admission of corruption' regarding the rule change, and interim Grammy chief Harvey Mason Jr told Variety on Friday that he had been working to eliminate the committees long before this incident; pictured in February

Changes: The Recording Academy did not provide a stated ‘admission of corruption’ regarding the rule change, and interim Grammy chief Harvey Mason Jr told Variety on Friday that he had been working to eliminate the committees long before this incident; pictured in February

Bye Grammys! Ahead of the Grammys broadcast in March, the acclaimed musician released a statement to The New York Times : 'Because of the secret committees. I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys'

Bye Grammys! Ahead of the Grammys broadcast in March, the acclaimed musician released a statement to The New York Times : ‘Because of the secret committees. I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys’

There was much online speculation at the time that the exclusion had something to do with The Weeknd being scheduled to perform during both the Super Bowl Half-Time Show and the Grammys — which were initially scheduled a week apart on the same network. 

However, all parties said that situation had been successfully resolved, only for the star’s name to go completely uncalled when nominations were announced.  

‘They engaged with us very heavily and at length to be a part of their show and then everything stopped, Slaiby added, saying that Mason ‘claimed that he’d look into it and get back to us. Never heard a word back on that one.’

‘I want to see a fair and accountable process be put into place and held to that new standard that is set forth. This is their chance to make this iconic award mean something again and have credibility. To the new CEO I would just implore that they run this right and step away from old school backdoor politics that have plagued the Grammys for years. Be fresh and operate with honor,’ Slaiby continued about what he’d like to see from the Academy when a new president is announced.

Meanwhile, The Weeknd is ignoring awards to focus on his philanthropic efforts to help those in need around the world, as proven by the millions of dollars he has reportedly given to charitable causes in recent months.

‘The industry can keep stepping up to share their revenue to help those in need in various situations and to support the marginalized communities who create and buy the music they sell. We have seen some movement there and I expect and encourage even more. I care about making music that people love and helping where I can. Right now my concern is what’s happening in my home country of Ethiopia and encourage people to be aware of what is happening and donate where they can,’ he said.

Giving back: Meanwhile, The Weeknd (above in February) is ignoring awards to focus more on his philanthropic efforts to help those in need around the world, as proven by the millions of dollars he has reportedly given to charitable causes in recent months

Giving back: Meanwhile, The Weeknd (above in February) is ignoring awards to focus more on his philanthropic efforts to help those in need around the world, as proven by the millions of dollars he has reportedly given to charitable causes in recent months