It was a night of celebration, glamour, and electric performances as the 66th Annual Grammy Awards lit up Los Angeles. The Grammys, honoring the best in music from October 2022 to November 2023, crowned some of the industry’s top artists across genres. But one moment of the evening grabbed more attention than the awards themselves. Rapper Travis Scott, despite his high-energy set and massive fan following, walked away empty-handed yet again – and he didn’t keep his disappointment to himself.
Travis Scott Roasts the Grammys with a Bold Message
During his high-octane performance at the 2024 Grammys, Scott treated fans to hits from his critically acclaimed album, UTOPIA. But in a surprise twist, he threw a verbal jab mid-performance that felt like a wake-up call directed straight at the Grammy committee.
“They slept on me ten times!”
Scott exclaimed during his final song, igniting a storm on social media as fans quickly picked up on his jab. This wasn’t just another rap line; it was a message about his Grammy snub that resonated with fans who had rooted for the rapper to finally take home an award. Scott’s UTOPIA, released in July 2023, was one of the most celebrated albums of the year, debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 and featuring an array of notable collaborations, including Drake, The Weeknd, and Beyoncé.
Despite all the commercial success and critical acclaim, Scott lost the Best Rap Album category to Killer Mike’s Michael. For the Sicko Mode artist, this marked the ninth time he has been nominated at the Grammys without winning, a streak stretching back to 2017 and encompassing nominations for Album of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance, among others.
Fans Rally Behind Travis Scott: “He Should Have Won”
Scott’s fans took to social media platforms, especially X (formerly known as Twitter), to vent their frustration, sharing clips of the performance and rallying behind the artist. As one user, @diordrip23, put it,
“They DID SLEEP ON HIM 10x”
Another fan, @elmo_c6, pointed out that UTOPIA brought together listeners of all ages, creating an unparalleled impact.
“Not to discredit the others, but his Miami show had people of all ages raging from lil kids to their 30-40-year-old parents.”
It wasn’t just the commercial success of UTOPIA that fueled these reactions. The album’s versatility, star-studded guest appearances, and success across the Billboard Hot 100 with all nineteen songs featured set it apart. For many, Scott’s loss in the Best Rap Album category felt less like an award decision and more like a misjudgment of an album that had arguably redefined contemporary rap.
The Growing List of Grammy Snubs in Hip-Hop
Travis Scott’s public frustration echoes a longstanding gripe that many artists within the hip-hop community have expressed toward the Grammys. The genre has a fraught history with the award show, with other major names like Drake, The Weeknd, and Beyoncé often either overlooked or subjected to intense scrutiny from fans over the Academy’s decisions.
Scott’s remark at the Grammys was a raw display of this ongoing tension. For him, the awards were not just about personal recognition but about validation for a genre that continuously pushes boundaries. This year, Scott’s UTOPIA was not just a chart-topping record but also a cultural phenomenon, and his snub felt like yet another instance of the Grammy Awards overlooking mainstream hip-hop influence.
Fans weren’t the only ones who felt the sting of Scott’s Grammy snub. Industry insiders and critics alike have argued that UTOPIA set the bar for rap and experimental music in 2023. With hits like “My Eyes,” “I Know,” and “Fe!n,” the album combined Scott’s classic trap sound with new experimental beats, drawing acclaim for its bold approach.
Killer Mike’s Victory in the Best Rap Album Category
On the flip side, Killer Mike’s win with Michael is nothing to scoff at. His album is a deeply personal work, reflecting on race, identity, and social issues with a raw honesty that has earned him critical acclaim. However, Scott’s fans argue that UTOPIA made waves not just for its content but also for its cultural impact, propelling Travis Scott’s influence to new heights.
While Killer Mike’s artistry and influence are undeniably respected, the Grammy Awards’ selection still struck a chord with those who feel the show has consistently snubbed hip-hop in favor of safer choices.
“Insane robbery,”
one fan wrote on X, capturing the sentiment of those who saw the night as yet another Grammy misfire in recognizing hip-hop’s most impactful works.
Is Travis Scott the New Poster Child for Grammy Snubs?
With nine Grammy nominations and no wins, Scott joins a list of influential artists with Grammy snubs, sparking conversations about how the awards measure musical impact. His loyal fan base is unwavering in their belief that Scott’s Grammy losses represent a broader disconnect between the Recording Academy and the music that speaks to a generation.
So, as the dust settles from another Grammy season, the question lingers: did the Grammys miss an opportunity to honor a defining album of the year, or is Scott’s Grammy drought a sign of the show’s evolving criteria? For now, it seems Scott is less concerned with acceptance and more focused on setting the stage ablaze – in every sense of the word.
The Future for Travis Scott: What’s Next After UTOPIA?
In an era where awards shows are constantly scrutinized, Travis Scott’s fiery response highlights the power of the artist-fan connection. Despite his Grammy snubs, Scott’s star power shows no signs of fading, and his fans remain a driving force in his success. From chart-topping releases to sold-out tours, Scott’s influence in music and culture continues to resonate, Grammy or not.
As Scott himself has shown, one award can’t define an artist’s legacy. The “They slept on me” line will likely become a rallying cry for fans who feel the Grammys failed to recognize UTOPIA’s undeniable impact. And perhaps for Scott, his Grammy snubs will only fuel his ambition, driving him to create music that pushes even more boundaries – proving once again that, win or lose, he remains at the top of the rap game.
As the conversation about Travis Scott’s Grammy snub rages on, one thing is clear: the Houston rapper isn’t backing down. Whether the Grammys acknowledge him or not, Scott’s contributions to hip-hop are here to stay – and fans can’t wait to see what he does next.