Up for debate: Are the Grammys about music or popularity?

Are the Grammys about music or popularity? Local 10 wants your opinion: Are the Grammys about music or popularity?

With the Grammys set for Sunday night, debates are resurfacing over whether the awards truly honor musical talent or primarily reward popularity.

The Recording Academy says its voting process involves two stages. Artists submit their work for an initial round of votes to determine nominees.

Members — including artists, producers, and other industry professionals — then cast a final vote to select winners.

Still, some fans argue that mainstream performers consistently dominate. Recent controversies include Taylor Swift winning over Lana Del Rey and Harry Styles taking home awards over Bad Bunny and Beyoncé, raising questions about whether popularity outweighs artistic merit.

Others note that other award shows, like the Oscars, occasionally reward lesser-known performers, showing that recognition isn’t always about fame.

Fans are weighing in on the debate about music versus popularity in the Grammys. Local 10 viewers can give their thoughts in the comment section below.

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Yarden Ben-David

Yarden Ben-David

Yarden Ben-David started at WPLG in 2020 and worked his way up to Executive Producer in 2025.