The Weeknd says he still won't submit his music for Grammy consideration, citing an ongoing lack of trust in the award show's process despite a recent change to rules that inspired his boycott.
The chart-topping singer was responding to the rule changes for the Grammy Awards announced by the Recording Academy on Friday — primarily a change that eliminates the"secret" nomination-review committees.
His manager, Wassim"Sal" Slaiby, added,"No change comes without a voice heard. I'm just proud of Abel for standing up for what he believes in. I was in a shock when all this happened but now I see it clearly, and I'm glad we stood for our beliefs."While there was no stated"admission of corruption" from the Grammys in announcing the rule change, in an interview with Variety late Friday, interim Grammy chief Harvey Mason jr.
Representatives for the Recording Academy did not immediately respond to Variety's requests for comment early Monday. Despite those statements, some speculated that the snub was due to opposition to the Weeknd being scheduled to perform at bothand the Grammys — which were initially scheduled a week apart. However, all parties said that situation had been successfully resolved, only to become moot when the Weeknd received no nominations.
As for what he'd like to see next from the Academy — which is expected to announce a new president/CEO next month, with Mason stepping down from his interim role — Slaiby says:"I want to see a fair and accountable process be put into place and held to that new standard that is set forth. This is their chance to make this iconic award mean something again and have credibility.
The artist has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes in recent months, including MusiCares, the Recording Academy's charity, as well as $1 million in food aid to war-torn Ethiopia, the African country where his family is from.
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