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Advertising executive, and former music biz exec “Commissioner” Steve Stoute took out a full-page ad in the New York Times calling the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and their annual Grammy Awards ceremony as out of touch with popular culture.

Stoute, who previously managed Nas, reached a breaking point after this year’s Grammy Awards and watching artists like Justin Bieber and Eminem lose in big categories.

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“Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic,” Stoute writes.

“As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate.”

The Grammys are voted on by NARAS members, who are generally comprised of label employees, artists, and technical staff (engineers, mixers, etc).

Read Stoute’s full letter at The Huffington Post

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