The Grammy's of 1997
Here's My Chance To Complain:
In case ya'll didn't know, the grammy's are the most prestigious music award you can get in America (depending on who you talk to). In the year of Spice (1997), the girls got absolutely no recognition at all.
This is actually a quote from an article I read written by a music critic (of all people). We all know how much the critics dislike the girls, especially MTV U.S., so it's interesting to see what this guy wrote about the '97 grammy nominations:
".... With that in mind, everything about today makes sense. Even the total absence of the Spice Girls. You know, those 'annoying British people'. The ones who propped up the sagging U.S. record industry with their debut album, Spice. What thanks do they get for selling 5 million-plus CDs? Nada. Not even an inclusion in the Best New Artist race, the category where Grammy voters, in their infinite wisdom, have bestowed honor upon the likes of the Starland Vocal Band..."
Now they may not truly deserve a grammy, neither do most of the people who win, and I know the girls aren't losing any sleep over it; they've got the Brit Awards which seem to be a lot better. But some of the true American fans were concerned. Here's why:
"Say You'll Be There" was the highest entry (#5) by a UK band in US billboard charts... EVER!!!
They won the Billboard Award: Album of the Year & Best New Aritist [among others] (usually the same nominations as the grammy's) [They were the first girl group to win Album of the Year]
"Wannabe" entered in the US charts at number 11; The highest ever entry by a British band. (The Beatles ~ "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" only managed number 12)
"Wannabe" goes to #1 in the US - first UK band to top the US charts with their debut single
"Wannabe" sales get more than 4 million sales and becomes the most successful debut single ever
They become the first UK act to have two albums in the US top 20 since Elton John in 1975
Spice is the biggest selling album of 1997 in the US, selling 5.3 million copies and beating out the nearest competition by over 1 million records
Spice & Spice World, their first two albums, are in the US top 10 at the same time.
They at least deserved a nomination. I'm guessing everyone thought it was a joke, and didn't expect the success of Spice World either. So it has been established that the grammy's aren't done by achievement, the girls had plenty of it, it's a popularity contest just like everyone says. A lot of other people have had this same fate. It's sad...
Especially since this year, 2000, Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys were nominated. Don't get me wrong, I like them both. They've just had a lot less to brag about than the Spices in '97. But oh well, that's America for you in a nutshell. So hopefully with producers like Rodney Jerkins (Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine") and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation, Control, and Velvet Rope) working on the 3rd album, they'll finally get some American respect.
That is all... thanks =)