The ‘Radical’ Pope Strikes Again The Grammys’ Greatest Gaffes

released, Paris Hilton would have had it locked down. The Grammy Award Show-attending socialite and television personality released the song in 2006 as part of her self-titled album “Paris.” Although it’s easy to dismiss Hilton as another reality-star-turned-failed-musician of the early 2000s, “Stars are Blind” was generally well-received by critics, and the song peaked at No. 18 on the U.S. charts and reached No. 1 on several others.

The catchy, reggae-inspired tune did earn Hilton a lawsuit for its striking resemblance to UB40’s “Kingston Town.” Despite that, Hilton’s surprisingly adequate vocals made the song an instant classic to which listeners can’t help but sing along, even 13 years later. In a shocking upset for nepo babies everywhere, Hilton did not receive any nominations for the song. Although she has not released any music since, Hilton recently announced that fans can expect new music in 2023, meaning that she still might be in the running to win a Grammy after all.

This is a snub which has unfolded before our very eyes. The track layers Rick James’ 1981 classic “Super Freak” under some iconic Nicki Minaj verses that cannot be reprinted here. Some readers may be confused by our categorization of “Super Freaky Girl” as Americana, but rest assured that we have given this much thought. “Super Freaky Girl” has brought a fractured nation together — you can’t go anywhere without hearing it, even in places that seem deeply inappropriate. Its production even incorporated some of that famous American democracy: Minaj held a Twitter poll to determine what believe that any member of the LGBTQ+ community should feel that acting in accordance with their identity — through safe and consensual romantic acts — is something that should be shamed and condemned. the song’s title would be before disregarding the result entirely.

With this in mind, I have questions about the practice of welcoming LGBTQ+ people into Catholicism, something Francis called on Catholic bishops to do. Welcoming LGBTQ+ people into a religion that does not wholly accept them and will not commit to loving them will invite more shame and guilt into their lives. No matter how accepting of those who are LGBTQ+ you are, if you believe that their actions of love are damning and that they are fundamentally sinners, you are inviting unwanted and unnecessary pain and guilt into their lives. While this statement calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality by Francis is the most radical that a pope has made, it is not enough. LGBTQ+ Catholics, as well as LGBTQ+ people around the world, deserve more support and should not feel shamed for whom they love in a religion that preaches love for everyone.

Besides, this song was reportedly categorized as pop when considered for the 2023 Grammy Awards despite confusion and pushback from the (rap) artist herself, so what’s one more miscategorization?

The LaGuardia High School alum has been spurned by the Recording Academy in the past, having been nominated 10 times from 2011 to 2016 but never having won. It is high time that this is remedied.

Duo or Group Performance: ‘Imagine,’ various celebrities (2020)

Although the video is quickly approaching its third anniversary (a fact that is hard to believe, given that the time between now and then has felt like one long, unending year), there is always more to say about its influence on our culture. Like a haphazardly constructed Marvel movie riddled with cameos that left the viewer wondering, “How were they convinced to do this?”, the “Imagine” video stunned, bored and mystified a disoriented nation all at once. The vertical-video bastardization of John Lennon’s heartfelt song about communism has never meant more than when a group of wealthy celebrities sang it to a nation struggling with the highest rate of unemployment in decades.

Record of the Year: ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ Mariah Carey (1994)

The iconic Christmas song has charted every single year since 2012, even kicking Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated album “Midnights” out of the top spot of the Hot 100 in 2022. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a feat of vocals and arrangement that has proven time and time again to be the backbone of American society, a track that transcends season to inspire hope and wonder in the hearts of many year-round — yet it has never won a Grammy.

Are we too proud to recognize one of America’s greatest cultural exports? The sonically challenging 2014 performance at Rockefeller Center notwithstanding, Mariah Carey’s live renditions of this holiday classic only serve to heighten its influence.

We are confident that you will agree with these verdicts. We know that our taste is impeccable and our takes are undeniable, so there’s no need to contact us. With this guidance, hopefully the Recording Academy will change its ways and correct its mistakes next year.