Ed Sheeran nabbed a Grammy Award last night for Best Pop Solo Performance for his song “Shape of You.”
Though Sheeran is loved by many and the winning song was #1 on the charts for over 7 weeks, many were upset that the only male nominee just happened to win against powerful performances by women.
The other nominees in the category included Kelly Clarkson’s “Love so Soft,” Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons,” Pink’s “What About Us,” and Kesha’s “Praying.”
People felt Kesha was particularly snubbed, as “Praying” marked her return to music after a public battle against her producer, Dr. Luke, who she accused of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. A win for Kesha could’ve represented a win for women around the world, as well as the Time’s Up movement. Her emotional performance of the song last night just added salt to the wound.
The Internet, of course, was there to voice their grievances.
Ed Sheeran beat out 4 women with a song about the female body at the #Grammys ? pic.twitter.com/W0xNFf2btt
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 29, 2018
It’s ok to be white.
It’s ok to be black.
It’s ok to be asian.
It’s ok to be hispanic.
It’s ok to be female.
It’s ok to be male.
It’s ok to be gay.
It’s ok to be straight.But, it’s NEVER okay for Ed Sheeran to win any #GRAMMYs over Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, & Kesha.
— Lady Gaga (@SlayMeQueenGaga) January 29, 2018
Ed Sheeran winning over Gaga and Kesha? If the straights want a war THEY CAN HAVE IT pic.twitter.com/aSx8YdgXzc
— Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) January 29, 2018
#GrammysSoMale you mean to tell me that Ed Sheeran is better than Gaga? Lana? Kesha? Gtfoh pic.twitter.com/LNnvV0mkRj
— Lil shizzy (@SharonPhiri18) January 29, 2018
Isn’t it great how the #GRAMMYs claims to be so current & relevant – black outfits.. Time’s Up badges.. white roses.. Kesha giving a moving performance with women on stage..
And yet Every single major award last night was won by a male artist? ?
Speaks Volumes,#GrammysSoMale— Karl Booton (@karlbooton) January 29, 2018
Kesha LITERALLY HAD TO CLAW HER WAY BACK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY BECAUSE Y’ALL TURNED YOUR BACK ON HER BUT SURE WOMEN DON’T WORK HARD
— Celia (@_celia_marie_) January 29, 2018
Best Pop Solo Performance:
?Lady Gaga
?P!nk
?Kelly Clarkson
?Kesha
?Ed SheeranAnd the Grammy goes to…the lad who is less talented than these 4 incredible women. DO BETTER #GRAMMYs.
— Ryan Knight, PROUD RESISTER ? (@ProudResister) January 29, 2018
Yikes.