GRAMMY WTF?  1992 - Best New Talent. More: tomorrow.

The Grammy Awards are one of music’s most prestigious trophies. Since the inaugural ceremony in 1959, winners have spanned a vast array of musical styles and winners as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Eminem and Lizzo. There have, however, been some instances where one can’t comprehend the outcomes and omissions. Caffè Lattè looks back on some of the most baffling moments and unsuccessful -yet influential- acts…

GRAMMY WTF?

BEST NEW TALENT 1992

WINNER:

NOMINATED BETTER CHOICE:

The Academy famously awarded the Best New Artist Grammy in 1990 to Milli Vanilli. When it was confirmed that the duo did not in fact sing on their recordings, the trophy would later be reclaimed. Today, the record books state that there was no recipient that year.

At least the Academy got it right the following year, giving the award to Mariah Carey. She was clearly a capable vocalist, blessed with an extraordinary range. Even better, she was the most deserving of that year’s nominees.

The same could not be said for what happened in 1992. That year, the recipient was arguably the least worthy. Marc Cohn scored a hit single with “Walking In Memphis”. That disc remains his only US Top 40 entry. Also nominated in the same category were Color Me Badd, Seal and C+C Music Factory. All three acts would accrue more than one Top 40 single.

Also nominated that year was Boyz II Men. To be fair, this was before the Motown vocal group released the massive hit songs that would break records, such as “End Of The Road”, “I’ll Make Love To You” and “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey). At the time of voting, Boyz II Men had already scored 2 US Pop Top 5 songs with “Motownphilly” and “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday”. Both topped the R&B Chart.

The Boyz were no Milli Vanilli. They could really sing. Their singles were major hits and had already surpassed Cohn’s chart performance. The group’s success would prove to be more influential than any of the other nominees. Again, the Academy seemed to lack foresight.

NEVER WON A GRAMMY AWARD*:

*(excludes life achievement categories)

 

BOB MARLEY

Few acts are synonymous to a genre in the way that Bob Marley personifies reggae music. Decades after his death, he remains its leading exponent. Many of his recordings are among reggae’s most cherished and lauded. These include: “Get Up, Stand Up”, “No Woman, No Cry”, “Redemption Song”, “Buffalo Soldier” and “Is This Love”.

The Academy hands out awards specifically for reggae music, which makes the fact that Bob Marley has never won or received a nomination even more incredulous. Despite dying in 1981, Marley’s tracks have frequently been remixed or released from the vaults, which would make them eligible for a nomination. At least his children have received Grammys.