Following the monumental success of Thriller, a groundbreaking album that reshaped the music landscape, Michael Jackson faced an unexpected setback with his subsequent album, Bad. Despite earlier acclaim from the Grammy Awards, Jackson’s relationship with this prestigious ceremony has been complex and often contentious. His frustration peaked after the release of Off The Wall, which was overlooked for the Album of The Year category, with the artist only receiving one Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his hit “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
Feeling marginalized into R&B categories because of his race, Jackson embarked on a significant transformation that solidified his status as the King of Pop, leading to the release of the record-breaking Thriller. However, the Grammy accolades he received for Thriller did not carry over to his next release, Bad.
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- Michael Jackson Only Won 1 Grammy For Bad
- As The Follow-Up To The Historic Thriller, Bad’s Grammys Snub Was Hurtful
- Jackson’s Bad Album Proves The Grammys Aren’t Always Right
Michael Jackson Only Won 1 Grammy For Bad
Jackson Lost All Other Categories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd4SJVsTulc
In 1987, despite the phenomenal success of Bad, Michael Jackson could only claim one Grammy award. In 1990, he received the Best Short Form Music Video for “Leave Me Alone,”but this accolade came long after the original nominations for Bad. At the 1988 ceremony, Jackson was nominated for four Grammys, including the prestigious Album of The Year, but unfortunately did not secure any wins. The following year, he also lost out on the Record of The Year award for “Man In The Mirror.”
The lack of recognition for Bad was particularly surprising, given that it made Jackson the first artist ever to achieve five #1 singles from a single album. This record, only matched by Katy Perry in 2010, remains unbroken since. Despite this, with timeless hits like “Smooth Criminal,””The Way You Make Me Feel,”and the title track “Bad,”Jackson’s contributions to music during this era deserved greater acknowledgment than what the Grammy Awards rendered.
As The Follow-Up To The Historic Thriller, Bad’s Grammys Snub Was Hurtful
The Grammys Did A Complete 180 At The 1988 Ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHc8RsVRAAk
At the 1984 Grammy Awards, Michael Jackson was the undeniable star of the evening. His album Thriller made a remarkable impact, earning him eight awards, including Album of The Year. It was a triumphant comeback after previous disappointments. However, just a few years later, at the 1988 Grammys, the stark contrast was jarring, as Jackson went from dominating the awards to leaving empty-handed.
Despite Bad‘s significant commercial success, witnessing Jackson transition from the most celebrated artist in 1984 to receiving no awards in 1988 felt like a profound injustice. Many observers noted Jackson’s visible disappointment during the ceremony, amplifying the emotional weight of the snub.
This incident led to a notable shift in Jackson’s public engagement with award shows; he subsequently ceased attending major ceremonies unless he was the recipient of a special honor. His absence at the 1990 Grammy Awards, where he won for “Leave Me Alone,”speaks volumes about the indignation felt after his snubs.
Jackson’s Bad Album Proves The Grammys Aren’t Always Right
The Grammys Often Make Mistakes When Choosing Winners
While the Grammy Awards are considered one of the most distinguished accolades in the music industry, their selections can often come under scrutiny. For instance, it took a remarkable 25 years for Beyoncé to clinch the Album of The Year award, while iconic artists such as Prince never had the honor. The accolades for Thriller in 1984 contrasted sharply with the questionable decisions made by the Academy regarding Bad in 1988.
Some speculate that the immense success of Thriller may have shadowed Bad, resulting in the Academy’s reluctance to award Jackson again after such a standout year. This trend isn’t limited to Jackson; Taylor Swift experienced a similar pattern post-2016, not receiving another Grammy until 2020.
It’s essential to recognize that, regardless of the Grammy oversight, Bad remains an extraordinary album in music history. Michael Jackson continued to produce innovative and influential work throughout his career, reaffirming his legacy as a transformative figure in music.