Spike Lee Calls Out the Recording Academy for Snubbing Beyoncé

In a new interview with The Guardian, Spike Lee discussed Beyoncé's recent Album of the Year loss at the 2023 Grammys.

Spike Lee took Beyoncé's recent Album of the Year Grammy loss personal. In a recent interview with The Guardian, the iconic filmmaker, 65, discussed Beyoncé's fourth snub in the Grammy category.

"I’m not the male president of the Bey Hive [Beyoncé’s fanbase], but I love and support Beyoncé. Her album is amazing," Lee said. "I know she’s won multiple Grammys, but four times nominated for album of the year and she’s lost every time? No disrespect to those artists like Adele or Harry Styles who won. It’s not their fault, but that’s some straight-up bullshit"

He continued, "There’s a history of great black artists who come up for these awards and don’t win. We all know their work is great, because art speaks for itself. But then it always comes down to this tricky territory of validation. Do black artists say: ‘Fuck it’ – or seek white validation and chase awards? I just want to give a shoutout to my sister Beyoncé. We know what the deal is. It’s straight-up shenanigans, skulduggery, subterfuge. Or as the British say: it’s some poppycock!”

When asked if it's challenging for musicians to address the racial dynamics in the music industry, Lee responded, "It depends who you're talking about."

He added, "I've learned that you have to speak truth to power. When I take my last breath, which won't be soon by the way, it'll be written that I was on the right side of history. But it's an individual choice. There's certain times when you know there'll be repercussions and you've got to make a choice to speak out or clam up."

Winning the coveted Album of the Year award at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards was English singer-songwriter, Harry Styles, for his third solo album Harry's House.