Just about 12 hours ago, we learned the full list of nominees for the 2013 Grammy Awards, which means that it's officially time to begin complaining about everyone who didn't make that list.
Yes, in what has quickly become an annual tradition, the story of who got snubbed by the Recording Academy voters is nearly as popular as the one about who actually managed to score a boatload of nominations — this year, it's Fun., Frank Ocean, Mumford & Sons, Jay-Z and Kanye West who lead the field with six apiece — and this year is no different. We've already heard Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun sound off on the disservice done to his beloved Biebs, and don't think we haven't been reading the comments left by irate Directioners and Little Monsters on MTVNews.com.
So, while we're happy for everyone who snagged a nomination, we're just doing our due diligence by taking a moment to point out those who didn't, or those who probably should have walked away with more. Here's our look at the biggest snubs of the 2013 Grammys.
Bieber: He didn't get nominated for anything, which led Braun to declare on Twitter that Grammy voters "blew it." And, well, we sort of agree with him; Believe sold well and saw him expand his repertoire, and certainly seemed like a lock to pick up at least a Best Pop Vocal Album nod because of that. Also, its spate of singles — "Boyfriend," "As Long As You Love Me," in particular — were shut out in the Best Pop Solo Performance category. Shoot, you could even have made the argument that either of those songs could have been nominated in the R&B categories. Then again, Bieber did lose Best New Artist to Esperanza Spalding, so there is some precedent here. That doesn't make Bieber's snubs any easier to understand, though.
Psy: Another Braun client who got the shaft. Sure, "Gangnam Style" may not be traditional Grammy fare, but you can't overlook its global appeal — or the fact that its video has racked up nearly 1 billion views on YouTube. And yet, voters did just that, shutting the South Korean sensation out entirely. He was a dark-horse for Best New Artist, but certainly "Gangnam" (which, it should be noted, wasn't just a viral phenomenon: it reached #2 on the Hot 100) could have snuck into the Best Pop Solo category? It even made the eligibility requirement, having officially been released as a single her in the states in September. Frankly, this one was a head-scratcher.
The Barbz are NOT happy about Nicki's Grammy snub!
One Direction: They had a #1 album during the Grammy eligibility period (and a second that just missed the deadline), not to mention a pair of chart-busting hit singles, but 1D couldn't sway voters, and they ended up with no nominations. Both Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance seemed within their grasp, though there's the creeping suspicion they got shut out because Academy ballot-casters consider them to be a flash in the pan. Though, really, we're not sure how they could have proven themselves any more in 2012. Maybe Take Me Home's success will earn them some nods next year?
Drake: His Take Care album may seem like a distant memory, but it was released within the eligibility period, debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts and earned heaps of critical acclaim. True, it did earn him three nominations at the 55th annual Grammys, but Album and Record of the Year nods seemed like definite possibilities heading into last night.
Coldplay: They're Grammy darlings, with both Song and Record of the Year wins to their credit, and Mylo Xyloto was released during the eligibility period for this year's awards ... and yet, it earned them only two noms, for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance. Instead, Chris Martin and company had their thunder stolen by the Black Keys, who nabbed nominations in both Album and Record of the Year.
Nicki Minaj: Call it fallout from her, uh, interesting performance at the 54th Grammys, but Nicki was somehow shut out at this year's show, which is odd considering she released the chart-topping Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, had one of the biggest hits of her career with "Starships" and contributed no shortage of memorable guest appearances. She seemed a lock to at least pick up a nomination or two in the Rap categories, and "Starships" could have also snuck into Pop.
Lady Gaga: Okay, we're including her mainly because so many of her Little Monsters were outraged, but the fact remains Gaga didn't get a single nomination on Wednesday night even though she released a single, "Marry The Night," that made the eligibility period. She could have snuck into Best Dance Recording or one of the Pop categories, but voters shut her out. Hell hath no fury like a Mother Monster scorned.
Usher: His Looking 4 Myself album didn't sell particularly well, but it did spawn one of the year's most acclaimed singles, "Climax," which seemed to have the inside track on R&B song of the year until folks like Frank Ocean and Miguel came along. The song did earn Ursh a nomination for Best R&B Performance, but one can't help but wonder how Looking didn't earn a nod for Best Urban Contemporary Album ... especially since only three albums ended up making the cut.
Phillip Phillips: The reigning "American Idol" champ was anything but when it came to the Grammy nominations, getting shut out despite having a massive hit with "Home." It certainly should have warranted a nod in one of the Rock categories (Song? Performance?) and maybe could have snuck into consideration for Pop, too. We guess he'll just have to make due with hanging out with Dave Matthews.
Did we snub anyone on our Grammy Snubs List? Let us know in the comments below!