A number of high-profile artists, including The Weeknd and Halsey, have taken to social media to accuse the Grammys voting membership of shady behind-the-scenes practises.

Halsey, whose 2020 album Manic failed to receive any nominations, has come out to say:

“The Grammys are an elusive process,” she wrote in an Insta story.

“It can often be about private, behind the scenes performances, knowing the right people, campaigning through the grapevine, with the right handshakes and ‘bribes’ that can be just ambiguous enough to pass as ‘not-bribes’.”

She also suggested that in order for artists to be considered for a nomination, they must commit to performing to “help the Academy make their millions in advertising.”

“Perhaps its unbecoming of me to say so but I can’t care anymore,” Halsey continued.

“While I am THRILLED for my talented friends who were recognised this year, I am hoping for more transparency or reform.”

She concluding her post by saying that she expects to be blacklisted. She also made mention to the backlash regarding The Weeknd being excluded, writing he “deserved better.”

After Hours, The Weeknd’s 2020 album that broke records by holding the #1 spot on the US charts for a month, also failed to receive a single nomination.

In response to not being nominated, he took to Twitter to accuse the Grammys of being “corrupt”.

Drake, Kid Cudi, Elton John and Charlie Puth have all sided with The Weeknd. Drake wrote in an Instagram story:

“I think we should stop allowing ourselves to be shocked every year by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards and just accept that what once was the highest form of recognition may no longer matter to the artists that exist now and the ones that come after,”

“It’s like a relative you keep expecting to fix up but they just can’t change their ways.”

This year marks the first time that women have been included in all five nominations for best rock song, and for best country album.