It could be argued that the Grammys have historically missed the mark when it comes to acknowledging the genius of Black musicians. The list is astounding when you consider that Bob Marley, 2Pac, The Notorious BIG, Buster Rhymes, and even Diana Ross have never won any Grammys. R&B legend Brian McKnight has been nominated 16 times in his illustrious career but has never took taken home the golden gramophone. His nominations rank second only to the legendary Snoop Dogg who was nominated 17 times, and, on each occasion, has come up empty. While the Recording Academy cannot right all these wrongs, the upcoming awards will feature the recognition of legends Donny Hathaway, Dionne Warwick, and George Clinton for Lifetime Achievement. Also, receiving the prized award is Soul duo Sam and Dave and posthumously jazz great Billy Eckstein.
Dionne Warwick is a 5-time Grammy winner with 14 nominations. The late Donny Hathaway won a Grammy in 1972 Grammy for “Where Is The Love” a duet with Roberta Flack, and was nominated for four more before his tragic death in 1979. George Clinton, the brains behind the Parliament-Funkadelic collective has never won a Grammy, although he was nominated twice.
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 10, 2019, and the Lifetime Achievement ceremony will happen in Los Angeles on May 11, 2019.
