Post-Grammy Hoo-Ha: Kanye vs. Beck vs. The Internet

I like Beck.

I really like Kanye West.

I really, really, like Beyoncé.

Therefore all of this post-Grammy kerfuffle regarding Beck winning Best Album,  Kanye throwing shade at Beck, then this ongoing (sadly, often cultural, class and race fuelled) Internet backlash aimed at Kanye, Beck and Beyoncé is, to me, a bit like an argument about what type of glass my gin and tonic should be served in.

It all just seems a little redundant, as they’re all good.

But, still.

Firstly, can we please leave Beyoncé the heck out of this? It’s not Beyoncé’s fault that Kanye mouthed off about her (again). Just as it’s not your fault, when your awful Uncle Geoffrey gets drunk every Christmas and proceeds to act out very inappropriate rounds of charades.

Secondly, yes, Beck won and Beyoncé didn’t. Whilst I’ve been a Beck fan for ten years longer than I have Beyoncé, and ‘Morning Phase’ is a beautiful example of pure songwriting – I prefer Beyoncé’s album.

Not only that, but I enjoyed Taylor Swift, St. Vincent, Mogwai, Future Islands and Alt-J’s 2014 releases over Beck’s. But that’s just my individual opinion, based on my tastes, and I accept that many will disagree with me.

And you know what? That’s life, isn’t it?

At the Academy Awards, the most worthy film doesn’t always win Best Picture. In your workplace, the right people don’t often get the appropriate level of recognition. It’s what happens, and never more so than in the revenue and publicity driven entertainment industry.

Your favourite album of 2014 might have been Maroon 5’s ‘V’. Despite it not receiving the attention you personally felt it deserved, who cares? Recognition is subjective, and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter one shred. All that matters is how you enjoy it.

Thirdly, Kanye went off on one because he’s Kanye. It’s his brand, and he’s playing the P.R. game to utter perfection. He’s pulled this kind of stunt before and I have no doubt that he’ll do it again.

If you don’t like West and his golden-gigantic-bubble-of-ego-and-hype, then stop giving him the attention. It’s what he wants. Celebrities are like Gremlins – if you feed them they will continue to thrive. Ignore them and they fade away. Look at Lady Gaga.

Finally, all of this awards bullshit can’t help but lead me to one of my favourite letters, written by Nick Cave.

In 1996, after the success of The Bad Seed’s ninth studio album and his duet with Kylie  Minogue on ‘Where The Wild Roses Grow’ Cave, who until that point had been shunned by MTV and mainstream media, was nominated for an MTV Award for Best Male Artist.

Out of protest to the machine-like music industry, which Cave felt was hypocritical and cared more about popularity than artistic integrity, Cave wrote the following, and sent it to MTV:

21 Oct 96

To all those at MTV,

I would like to start by thanking you all for the support you have given me over recent years and I am both grateful and flattered by the nominations that I have received for Best Male Artist. The air play given to both the Kylie Minogue and P. J. Harvey duets from my latest album Murder Ballads has not gone unnoticed and has been greatly appreciated. So again my sincere thanks.

Having said that, I feel that it’s necessary for me to request that my nomination for best male artist be withdrawn and furthermore any awards or nominations for such awards that may arise in later years be presented to those who feel more comfortable with the competitive nature of these award ceremonies. I myself, do not. I have always been of the opinion that my music is unique and individual and exists beyond the realms inhabited by those who would reduce things to mere measuring. I am in competition with no-one.

My relationship with my muse is a delicate one at the best of times and I feel that it is my duty to protect her from influences that may offend her fragile nature.

She comes to me with the gift of song and in return I treat her with the respect I feel she deserves — in this case this means not subjecting her to the indignities of judgement and competition. My muse is not a horse and I am in no horse race and if indeed she was, still I would not harness her to this tumbrel — this bloody cart of severed heads and glittering prizes. My muse may spook! May bolt! May abandon me completely!

So once again, to the people at MTV, I appreciate the zeal and energy that was put behind my last record, I truly do and say thank you and again I say thank you but no…no thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Nick Cave

Upon receipt, this letter ensured that Cave’s nomination was withdrawn, and that MTV and Cave’s relationship returned to its previous distant and frosty state.

As the deluge of arguments and Tweets around Kanye, Beck and Beyoncé continue, I think we could all learn a thing from our Dear Mister Cave – after all, it’s just a stupid award.

Now recite after me: My muse is not a horse.

And, anyway, we all know that this Prince gif was the true winner of the evening.