Grammys now recognizes streaming-only projects
The Grammys have always had a contentious history with hip-hop. But aside from frequently snubbing rappers, another egregious error of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has been its lack of recognition of streaming-only albums as equal to physical releases, a move that has disproportionately affected hip-hop artists who release free mixtapes online. Complex posted an article last month suggesting that the Grammys were updating their qualifying terms to include streaming-only releases, and now it’s official. Chicago rap blog Fake Shore Drive tweeted the Academy’s new terms:
Streaming only projects are now available for Grammy consideration. I've been working on this for three years. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/FE088E5asE
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) June 16, 2016
Now it’s just a matter of time before Chance gets nominated but loses to Macklemore or some shit.