S. Samuel
Although the Grammys took place over a month ago, G-Unit's 50 Cent has offered his input on the "Best New Artist" category and why he feels Young Money's Drake was short changed over the win.
Despite facing strong competition from teen sensation Justin Bieber, 50 believes Drake should have received the “Best New Artist” accolade.
“I think Drake got robbed,” 50 said referring to the loss. “He should have got “Artist of the Year” last year [laughs], to be real with you… He did a lot, man. I don’t believe that Drake would have been as successful or his project would have been as successful if Lil Wayne was home [from jail]. That point where Wayne had to sit down provided a complete focus on Drake.” (VIBE)
Last month, former G-Unit member Game also expressed shock over Drizzy’s loss.
“Drake aint win BEST NEW ARTIST ? Exactly why I’m kool on awards. (finishes rolling weed up as I turn the tv off).,” Game tweeted Sunday (February 13) night.
“You wouldn’t care about AWARDS if you seen the people giving em’. “WHO DA F*CK ARE Y’ALL” ( @drakkardnoir voice ) cheated the homie. (Game’s Twitter)
The “New Artist” upset came courtesy of female jazz musician Esperanza Spalding.
Arcade Fire pulled off an upset at the Grammys on Sunday night, winning album of the year over Eminem, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Meanwhile, Esperanza Spalding pulled off her own Grammy upset, taking home best new artist honors over teen pop sensation Justin Bieber. The singer — who becomes the first jazz act to win best new artist — also beat fellow nominees Florence + the Machine, Drake and Mumford & Sons. (Hollywood Reporter)
In September 2009, 50 Cent discussed losing the “Best New Artist” category at the start of his career.
“When you nominated for the first time, what you saw from me in 2004 wasThe Grammy’s. When I went up, Evanescence won Best New Artist and it was like, I sold 12 million records. That’s the largest debuting hip-hop album today and I was overlooked and I still don’t have a Grammy. It’s been 13 nominations. It’s because I wrote the harsh realities, I’ve been overlooked, completely.” (Much Music)
Check out some recent 50 Cent footage below:
