T-sizzle or fizzle at the Grammys

GRACIE BRUMSICKLE | CONTRIBUTOR

With the Grammys happening just a few weeks ago, people are still debating whether Taylor Swift really should have taken home the award for Album of the Year. It was Swift’s second time winning what is considered to be the most prestigious award in the music industry with her 2014 album “1989.”

With strong competition such as Alabama Shakes’ “Sound & Color,” Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller,” and The Weeknd’s “Beauty Behind the Madness” there was bound to be some upset over the famed award.

The argument I hear most over Swift is that she only sings about boyfriends and bad breakups. On the other hand, artists such as Kendrick talk about more pressing issues such as race and social justice.  However, this year, her acceptance speech addressed social issues by taking a stand for women and girls all over the world.

“I want to say to all the young women out there,” Swift said. “There will be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going you’ll look around and you’ll know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there, and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Her girl-power driven speech was in response to West’s lyrics in his song “Famous” off of his new album “The Life of Pablo” that references his and Swift’s relationship by saying, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b!@#& famous.”

These misogynistic and arrogant lyrics have given Kanye a lot of negativity from his usually loyal fans. It was refreshing to see Taylor Swift address the song and take a stand for women to not be held down by anyone.

While many were supportive of Swift’s win, there was undoubtedly a preconceived idea that the award should have gone to Kendrick Lamar.

Sophomore Liza Cameron attended this year’s Grammy Awards with her family and said that the women around her loved the speech and no one seemed too surprised or disappointed that she won.

“A lot of people thought Kendrick would win because he was so highly favored going into each award,” Cameron said. “So people didn’t seem surprised that she won but more surprised he didn’t win.”

Cameron said that she’d been a Taylor Swift fan before so she was happy with the results.  After her acceptance speech Cameron was left questioning exactly who and what it was directed towards.

“When Taylor got her award she basically subtweeted Kanye in her speech,” Cameron said. “It may have sounded a little catty at first, but it was still a good message to girls and I really liked it.”

Even people who aren’t huge Swift fans such as Sophomore Colleen Brown have to admit to the catchiness of her pop ballads.

“I wouldn’t call myself a fan but I totally know all the words to her songs,” Brown said. “I don’t necessarily consider Swift’s music to be art like some of the other artists’ music, but I did like her speech about women empowerment.”

I think it’s fair to say that even if you aren’t a huge Taylor Swift fan, you have to admit that this has been a successful year for her; her songs are always on the radio and her catchy lyrics are often stuck in your head.

I’m a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar as well as Alabama Shakes so I would have been happy if either of those artists had won. With that being said, it’s no question that Swift has talent and that her album has been a huge success this year. It has produced hit single after hit single and has constantly ruled the top charts, so it’s fair to say that Swift deserved the award.  I was mostly impressed to see her not only accept her award with thanks, but also take the time to address a pressing issue in our society today. Swift is often judged for having lyrics that don’t address real problems in society so it was nice to see her voice have a more feminist viewpoint and take a stand.

Sure, Swift may not be my first choice of what I want to play as soon as I get in my car.  And yes, I may be more inclined to scroll to Kendrick Lamar or Alabama Shakes, yet I still think Taylor Swift not only sizzled this year, but sizzled at the Grammys too.