“To each his own, you know, about what they feel,” he said. “But here’s what I feel: Historically, I think that the Academy, for many years, got it wrong …

whether that’s [because of] the system that was there or the lack of inclusion or the lack of consideration of the industry.”

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Usher pointed out how there is a disconnect between artists such as Beyoncé — who drive ratings by showing up to perform or even just attending the awards — and those who go home winners in the Big 4 categories (Album, Record and Song of the Year, plus Best New Artist).

“We watch your show for you to celebrate our artists, and you put us in [top] categories, but then you give it to someone else,” he said.

Beyonce and Jay-Z at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Getty Images for The Recording Academy

In fact, Usher himself has only been nominated for Album of the Year once — back in 2005 when his blockbuster “Confessions” LP got swept under the sentimental wave of Ray Charles’ “Genius Loves Company” following the R&B legend’s 2004 death.

Still, it’s shocking that one of the greatest R&B artists of his generation has only been nominated in one of the Big 4 categories twice. (Also in 2005, his No. 1 smash “Yeah!” was up for Record of the Year.)

And despite winning eight Grammys — all in the R&B and rap categories — in his 30-year career, Usher has never once had that money moment of collecting that precious hardware during the televised portion of the ceremony where Taylor Swift has received all four of her Album of the Year trophies.