Part 8/9:
Public figures such as Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga used their acceptance speeches to spotlight societal issues surrounding visibility and inclusion. Ironically, while their speeches aimed to advocate for marginal voices, they glossed over the simple desire for musicians to be recognized for their talent alone. The underlying critique of the entertainment industry is that it must return to prioritizing talent above societal quotas.
Many observers noted the juxtaposition of these messages with the hard reality of the music industry: talent should be the sole mark of success, devoid of bias or favoritism based on identity.