Blackout: critical acclaim, platinum selling, two top 20 hits, highly influential and iconic... So why was it snubbed at the Grammy’s?

[jamesedward94]

Yes, Britney was in the middle of a breakdown. She did no promotion and was largely absent from the public aside from antics that the paparazzi made sure not to miss. Even the music videos were subpar, with one having to be animated. 

The Britney of yesterday was gone.

But Blackout became one of the best pop releases of all time. Instead of giving her all, the record was all about the next level production that was new and soon to be trendsetting. This album put Britney at the top and let her proudly proclaim, “It’s Britney *****”. But it’s the “give no effs” attitude that really made the album what it was. Blackout would not have been the same if made by any other artist. Britney made it incredible. She brought that undeniable superstar sound to it that, even at her darkest time, rose to the occasion. She was over it.

She was over everything.

This album perfectly embodied it.

 

All four of her first albums received Grammy nominations, including two for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Blackout received none.

It is easy to blindly accept this due to the personal matters she was dealing with at the time and the change in Britney from previous eras. But when looking deeper it’s almost shocking. Blackout quickly became a hit with critics and fans alike and many began to see the album for what it was and what it would be: a trendsetting and influential album that many pop stars would borrow from for years to come. Britney brought an edgy, darker, european dance pop sound that was different than everything else at the time. 

And it had hits.

Gimme More went top five and Piece of Me went top twenty. And yes, it went on to become platinum selling. 

Britney was no longer the sweet innocent pop star dominating the scene, but she morphed into the woman we know today. What she made was an iconic album that is now regarded as her best work.

It will always undoubtly remain a big question as to why the Grammys overlooked this masterpiece. 

 

And just who took home the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album the year Blackout would have been nominated?

If you’re your memory needs refreshing, it was Duffy.....