Like many who tuned in to last night’s Grammy Awards, the family of the late Natalie Cole have voiced their frustration at the lack of tribute to the singer (who died on December 31st).
David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Motörhead’s Lemmy and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White were honored with performances, yet Cole was confined to the pre-packaged ‘In Memoriam’ segment.
Displeased, the songbird’s sister Timolin Cole said the following to Page Six…
“It’s very bittersweet. We were hoping that there will be some sort of actual tribute to her fitting of her artistry and stature. She had 21 Grammy nominations and nine wins. She was such a force in the music industry and she transcended genres . . . I think she should be recognized for the impact she has had.
Why wouldn’t you have a medley of two or three songs? There are many hits that could be sung and great artists who could perform them.” {Source}
Death is such tricky terrain. On the one hand, Cole’s achievements – specifically her Grammy accolades – are too plentiful to ignore.
Yet, on the other, the reality is that there is an allocated amount of time for tributes – as such it’s inevitable that some names would take priority over others.
We’re by no means agreeing that Natalie should have omitted, though. Rather, we’re highlighting the issues producers face when tasked with quantifying someone’s impact over others.
To keep it 100, many of last night performances were so pointless that they should have cooked up an impromptu tribute featuring some of the many amazing talents relegated to sitting in the audience (such as Jazmine Sullivan).
Sigh.
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But are we surprised? No, maybe BET will give her one .
I agree!
I didn’t understand where the Lionel Richie tribute came from but ok…..
Right he had his on BET it was awkward as f*** too.
Hello aka Adele commentary. Thats what that was about. A bright producer’s idea.
They could have thrown something together at the last minute like they did for Earth Wind and Fire. The shade…..
Its sickening especially knowing they (committee of the Grammy’s) claim to admired her father but didn’t honor his daughter. Like I said I loved Bowie too but com on where’s Natalie tribute? Like what was the point inviting Janelle Monae and Jasmine Sullivan if they aren’t allowed to perform? Adele was not serving vocals too !
Exactly
Mess! Such a damn shame!
BET will come through.
Absolutely
Did I not just say this? They are wrong. They already had a struggle ceremony (Taylor Swift AOTY, Taylor vocals, canceled performances by Riri & Lauryn, the sound engineer idiot messing up Adele, and etc.) anyway, so why not add it last minute? BET rearranged the entire show in a few days for MJ in 09. Grammys should have added Natalie. It wasn’t too late. She’s been gone since December 31st and it is now February. No excuses.
truth be told, they could’ve kept “girl crush” or whatever song that band was performing and did a natalie cole tribute instead
Or they could have cut out that unnecessary Lionel Richie tribute? It’s not like he’s dead or hasn’t received other tributes before.
I’m so done with the Grammy’s! This “incredible” woman was nominated for “Album of the Year” back in her prime and look who wins that very same award years later? I like “1989” but it was nothing special to cry about or go crazy over. The ONLY time she deserved to win that award was with “Red”. I’m sick of this s***. We need more people of color on that committee. They would’ve FOUGHT to make sure whatever mess occurred last night wouldn’t have happened and made it on stage.
She wasn’t just nominated for Album of The Year. She actually WON that category for ‘Unforgettable’ alongside Record of the Year for the track of the same title. I believe she’s the first Black woman to do so for her own album (Whitney then Lauryn Hill followed suit) and this is how they do her? Just pitiful. How could they have Jazmine Sullivan, Janelle Monae and the great Lalah Hathaway in attendance and not make use of their talents??? I’m sure Janelle could take on one of her Jazz numbers while Jazmine would be better suited for something more soulful. I’m just waiting on BET or the Soul Train Music Awards to come through with their tributes. They’ll know what to do.
The majority of performers on the Grammys were Black… Black people were insanely over represented at the Grammys, as performers, nominees, and winners. Did you see any Hispanics or Asians win any awards that night? Oh that’s right, minorities only matter when they’re Black to African Americans.
The Grammy was a utterly joke last night. Kendrick was the only thing I was looking for of a performance. Bruno, Janelle, Jazmine, Rihanna, Lauryn, EW&F, Drake, Nicki, Fetty WAP, Wiz, Ciara, Kanye ect including BEYONCE all didn’t either perform or showed up. Its was basic as f***, and just knowing Taylor won awards in regards to vocals and album of the year is insane and obvious popularity contest. Say with ya will but BET, SOUL TRAIN, AND THE NAACP Image Awards are way above this bs. The Rappers and R&B singers know how to get a crowd on their feet and keep the energy high. Last night audience was dead and dry. Bey looked like wtf I’m here again ?
Disgraceful. Natalie was the first one to win against Aretha in the R&B/Soul female Grammy category back in the mid 70s. And in 1992, she was the most awarded artist at the Grammy’s for “Unforgettable.” And those are just off the top of my head. Now add how she was the first of the artists who began passing away this year. The Grammy’s should have already been planning on acknowledging her. Just sad.
You know the Grammy’s has gone to pits when they let that god awful Pitbull perform but didn’t give proper tributes to Maurice White or Natalie Cole
F*** the SHAMMYS… Who needs them.
Apparently they don’t need Sicki. #NoGrammys
People are just over the shenanigans at this point, chile. The BET awards will be lit AF this year. That show was a mess and I’m not surprised the ratings were so low.
It would be amazing if bet could get Monique or Steve to host again..
Hey, I loved Natalie Cole, but through is, she wasn’t a pioneering, integral artist. I sincerely doubt she was an influence on many performers. She was a fun pop/soul singer who had some really big success by doing her famous dad’s standards. She was no Bowie.
Bet award will give her one