Bias in the Music Industry
2024 was a monumental year for music, with artists releasing some of their most anticipated albums. Amid the excitement a recurring issue emerged: bias. When an artist doesn’t get the recognition they deserve, their fans are quick to attack the winner. This is particularly true during major events like award shows, where fans often believe their favorite artist should have come out on top. The idea that since the artist they admire didn’t win, there must be an issue that often clouds fans’ ability to appreciate the work of others and can lead to biased judgments of competing artists.
Fanbases play a massive role in an artist’s success. Fans support their favorites through streaming albums, attending concerts and promoting their music on social media. Artists, especially now, rely on their fan bases to create a sense of community and maintain visibility. However, this devotion can often result in an “us vs. them” mentality, where fans believe their favorite artist deserves the spotlight over others. This creates a bad environment in the community. As a result, outside viewers may be discouraged from supporting their favorite artists.
Junior Kennedy Mills says that fanbases strongly impact the way people view celebrities stating, “ I think when fans are extremely intense it impacts the way outside viewers perceive artists. For example, “Swifties” devote so much time and effort absorbing her media which makes people who don’t support her as much ask the question what makes her so interesting which adds a negative light on her as an artist and performer.” As Mills notes, the intensity of fanbases can significantly affect how artists are seen by outsiders. This impact extends beyond just public perception; it also shapes how critics and industry professionals engage with artists and their work.
In 2025, the Grammy Awards once again brought the issue of fanbase loyalty and the perception of fairness into sharp focus, particularly following the loss of Billie Eilish’s third studio album Hit Me Hard and Soft bringing in zero Grammys. The album was widely praised for its depth and emotional significance was a clear favorite in the eyes of many critics as well as fans. Despite that, the award for Album of The Year was awarded to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter. Fans of Billie Eilish felt that the Grammys decision was a clear oversight, especially given the albums overall impact.
Beyonce fans responded to the backlash of her win in a similar manner as other fanbases, aggressive and rude. This adds a larger light on the issue between communication. Senior, Valerie Palacio Ossa states, “When it comes to public perception, I think fans that are very passionate about the artist turn it into an unhealthy competition.”
In conclusion, the 2025 Grammy Awards highlighted the complex relationship between fan bases and public perception. The heated debates following Billie Eilish’s loss and Beyonce’s victory revealed how fan loyalty can create divisive environments. As new artists rise to fame, the pressure to crown a winner can lead to unfair comparisons and hurtful judgement. Ultimately, the true measure of an artist’s success should go beyond awards, and more with their ability to connect with audiences and make amazing music that resonates with their fans on a deeper level.
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