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As the Grammy awards marks its 53rd anniversary of celebrating the latest and greatest acts in music, BlackVoices.com wanted to take a look at the music makers who never received the prestigious honor from The Recording Academy.
Although legends like Diana Ross, Bob Marley and Nina Simone and chart-toppers such as Brian McKnight, Vanessa Williams, Cheryl Lynn and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly churned out memorable music through the years, they never won one.
And we didn't just leave this at stating facts, we actually culled notable black music industry expert David Nathan to offer perspective on why some of our favorite acts haven't one.
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Although legends like Diana Ross and chart-toppers such as Brian McKnight, Vanessa Williams, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly churned out memorable music through the years, they never won a coveted Grammy Award. Longtime black music industry expert David Nathan offers insight into why.
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Diana Ross
Genre: R&B, Pop
Notable Recordings: 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'Endless Love,' 'I'm Coming Out'
Expert Opinion: "Perhaps the most shocking omission from the list of past Grammy recipients is the 'Boss' (sorry, Bruce!) It's a complete mystery why Diana's peers, Aretha and Dionne, are both Grammy winners. In spite of numerous great recordings, she's been completely ignored. No Grammy, no Hall Of Fame, nada. Maybe it's time for her Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and time for fans to start a petition!"
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Nina Simone
Genre: Jazz, Pop, Classical
Notable Recordings: 'Young, Gifted & Black,' 'Feeling Good,' 'A Little Sugar In My Bowl'
Expert Opinion: "A true freedom fighter, Simone was likely considered too controversial or militant for a Recording Academy that was way vanilla during her heyday. Her music has been sampled and used consistently time and time again in movies, commercials, etc. It is a complete travesty that her peers (Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan) have all been acknowledged and Simone, a musical giant, is still not recognized for her impressive and influential body of work. She's way past due for a lifetime achievement award, although her 1959 hit 'I Loves You Porgy' was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2000."
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'Joy And Pain,' 'Happy Feelings'
Expert Opinion: "Even on a bad day, Frankie and the guys can sell out any concert to loyal steadfast black audiences! Maze had hit after hit and constant gold albums throughout the '70s and '80s but never crossed to mainstream audiences. That's the only explanation for why neither has been Grammy awarded."
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Brian McKnight
Genre: R&B, Pop
Notable Recordings: 'One Last Cry,' 'Anytime,' 'You Should Be Mine'
Expert Opinion: "This is a mystery. Brian's had crossover success as a solo artist -- and with Vanessa Williams ('Love Is'). Other soul crooners/balladeers (Peabo Bryson, James Ingram) have gotten Grammy nods -- so what gives? The same could be said of Will Downing, although his lack of mainstream recognition may be the reason he's been ignored."
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Fantasia Barrino
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'I Believe,' 'Free Yourself,' 'Baby Mama'
Expert Opinion: "It just hasn't been Fantasia's Grammy year, yet but it's not too late. She's still relatively new, and all she needs is a brilliant new album and she'll get hers! "
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Grace Jones
Genre: Funk, Disco, R&B
Notable Songs: 'Pull Up To The Bumper,' 'Slave To The Rhythm'
Expert Opinion: "Times maybe a-changin', but the androgynous Ms. Grace was obviously too much for the more conservative wing of the Recording Academy."
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Cheryl Lynn
Genre: R&B, Disco
Notable Recordings: 'Got To Be Real,' 'Encore'
Expert Opinion: "'Got To Be Real' was probably Cheryl's best bet for getting a Grammy and that was in 1979! Unfortunately, the lack of more hits diminished her chances for winning one after that."
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Angie Stone
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'No More Rain (In This Cloud),' 'I Wish I Didn't Miss You,' 'Baby'
Expert Opinion: Well, Angie's never exactly been the darling of the inner sanctum of the music biz and sometimes comes across with a little 'tude. While the Grammys are about artistic merit, a little friendliness to music biz peeps might not hurt. The late and greatly talented Esther Phillips had the same problem!"
Music Notables Who Never Won Grammy
Artist: Millie Jackson
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'All The Way Lover,' 'Ask Me What You Want' 'Act of War' (with Elton John)
Expert Opinion: "Anyone who records the 'Phuck You Symphony' would never have exactly win favors with the play-it-safe Grammy folks of the '70s and '80s when Millie ruled. Not that she cared. Millie's always been making real music for real people."
Comments: (37)
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By: fred tindall on 2/13/2011 12:45PM
I was in the USAF back in 1980 When this English (white) Girl turned me on to Maze and Frankie Beverly. All of the English women knew of maze.Poor Dineise the girl had a lot of soul in her. Died 2009 of cancer. was a good friend.
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By: rasfanta on 2/13/2011 1:28PM
Excuse me, but look how long it took them to recognize Curtis Mayfield and he is far more talented than anybody you name in the article. Look, they would rather recognize emminem as the premier rapper when he does not come close to representing the hip hop genre. the grammy, like everything else in america, boils down to race, first, period.
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By: ron smith on 2/13/2011 5:27PM
I wish somebody would please make a movie on the true life of Smokey Robinson. It would be a fine tribute to Smokey while he is still alive and would top the charts. Maybe Tyler Perry?
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By: JOE COOL on 2/13/2011 9:28PM
DIANA ROSS HAS A GRAMMY AS PART OF USA FOR AFRICA "WE ARE THE WORLD"
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By: Rick on 2/14/2011 7:19PM
I also heard last year, that Barry White with all the love ballads that he came out with never won a grammy
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By: Uriah jordan on 2/15/2011 11:42AM
Wow. I can't believe that we're still waiting for others to give us our due. I gave up on award shows in the 70's.
It amazes me that the entertainment industry can't make a period piece without using black music but refuse to recognize us when it comes down to awards. They won't get any ratings off of me.
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By: JOE COOL on 2/15/2011 11:27PM
BARRY WHITE WON BEST R&B MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE TRACK "STAYIN' POWER" FROM HIS LAST ALBUM SO HE CAN BE REMOVED FROM THIS LIST ALSO BOUNCY AKA BEYONCE HAS 12 GRAMMYS I FIND THAT TO BE A LAUGH WHEN NONE OF HER HITS WILL BE REMEMBERED IN 25 YEARS IT IS NOT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE MUSIC ANYMORE BUIT POPULARITY AF THE "ARTIST" ESPERANZA SPAULDING SHOCKED A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH HER WIN AND THE BIEBER FANS WENT BESERK SMH WHY ? HE ISN'T REALLY ALL THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE THEY DON'T GIVE GRAMMY AWARDS TO TEEN IDOLS THEIR CAREERS DON'T LAST AND THE GRAMMY COULD GO TO SOME DESERVING ADULT I WISH THEY WOULD GO BACK TO THE QUALITY OF THE MUSIC AND ALSO NO R&B OR HIP HOP WAS PRESENTED ON TV ANOTHER GRAMMY SCREW UP PEACE
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