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Welcome to another year of The Grammys: where music’s biggest names come together to celebrate talent, flex their outfits, and, of course, create absolute chaos. Every year, someone finds a way to turn the night into a headline circus, and 2025 did not disappoint. From Kanye and Bianca showing up in what we can only describe as less than the dress code required to Chappell Roan calling out the music industry for paying artists in exposure and good vibes, there was plenty to unpack. So let’s dive in…

But beyond the fashion statements and viral moments, the Grammys have always been a stage for more than just music. It’s a night where artists make statements—whether through their wins, speeches, or the moments that weren’t supposed to happen. This year was no different, with power plays, unexpected snubs, and performances that had everyone talking. So, who stole the show, who got robbed, and what does it all mean for the industry moving forward?

When the mic becomes a megaphone 📣 

Award shows aren’t just about shiny trophies and awkward acceptance speeches—they’re a prime stage for making a statement. Whether it’s through fashion choices, speeches, or full-blown stunts, artists have long used these moments to push a message, challenge the status quo, or just remind everyone they exist.

And guess what? Nobody said these moments have to be perfect, deep, or even make sense. That’s what makes them so great. Sending a global message to millions by pimp slapping another celebrity? Bold choice. Showing up to the red carpet in nothing but dangling meat? Primal. Watching these statements unfold live, in a matter of seconds, is like flipping on the Discovery Channel—wild, unpredictable, and oddly fascinating. And honestly? Pulling off a message that actually lands is an art form in itself.

So who had the biggest megaphone this year?…

This year, we’re caught between giving the super duper messy megaphone award to Kanye West and Chappel Roan.

Ye?

Now, we all know Ye is gonna be Ye. We could write an entire encyclopedia on the greatest and most unhinged moments of Mr. Poopity Scoopity, but that’s a project for another day. What makes this particular moment stand out is that it wasn’t some mid-ceremony mic-snatching stunt—it happened before the show even started.

And, in a way that is both ironic and on-brand, the timing couldn’t be more calculated. Ye has been on a marketing rampage. This year alone, he’s tweeted that he's a Nazi, publicly backed Diddy, and asked Trump to free him. No subtlety. No strategy that we can see. Just full-speed, head-first chaos that, for once, isn’t exactly working in his favor.

The Rage-Bait Business Model

Here’s the thing—artists who manipulate the media with rage-bait can actually win in the grand scheme of things. From a business perspective, Ye is completely independent. No label. No corporate safety net. Just him, his Yeezy empire, and a direct-to-consumer sales model that thrives off attention—good or bad.

Independent artistry means unique marketing is a must. Guerrilla marketing, when done right, is powerful. But in Ye’s case, it’s less strategy and more spectacle. The sad reality? Controversy sells. And even as he burns bridges with brands, fans, and entire communities, he’s still making money. A scary reminder that shock value keeps the clicks coming—even when it shouldn’t.

The Grammys Stunt: A Lesson in Disruption

So, when Ye pulled up to the 2025 Grammys, he wasn’t just making an entrance—he was setting up his next viral moment. His wife, Bianca Censori, disrobed down to a sheer bodysuit so thin you’d have to squint to confirm she was wearing anything at all. Ye, in contrast, stood still, face blank, like he was trying to win a staring contest with the paparazzi.

The stunt did exactly what it was supposed to do: dominate the conversation. By the time the first Grammy was handed out, the internet was already debating, dragging, and dissecting what the hell just happened.

Then came the rumors.

💥 Did Ye get kicked out?
💥 Are he and Bianca getting divorced?
💥 Did this moment actually serve a purpose, or was it just chaos for the sake of chaos?

Naturally, his right-hand chaos coordinator Milo Yiannopoulos swooped in to clear things up, saying Ye and Bianca are just fine. Which, knowing this crew, means absolutely nothing.

But one thing’s for sure—whether it’s genius marketing or just pure madness, Kanye knows how to make noise. And like it or not, we all keep listening.

Next up is Chappell Roan…

Who is Chappell Roan? Thanks for not asking. Chappell Roan is what happens when you mix a Lisa Frank fever dream with a drag queen’s closet and sprinkle in just enough glittery chaos to make Elton John raise an eyebrow. Basically she’s pop music’s latest wildcard, a glitter-soaked, hot pink tornado of theatrics who somehow managed to make the Midwest cool again.

Once upon a time, she was just another girl from Missouri with a piano and a dream, but after getting dropped by a major label, she did what all dope artists do—went full DIY, cranked the dial to 100, and refused to be ignored. Now, she’s out here serving catchy, 80s-inspired bangers while dressed like a disco rodeo clown, and somehow, it works.

And just to remind everyone that she isn’t just here to play dress-up, she took the 2025 Grammys as her moment to call out the music industry’s favorite scam: paying artists in “exposure” and “good vibes.” Let’s just say Lucien was not happy!

Here’s the harsh reality of the music industry: even the artists you think are doing well might be broke. Not because they blew their money on chains, cars, or a mansion they couldn’t afford—but because they never actually saw most of the money to begin with. And that’s exactly why Chappell Roan’s call for fair artist pay at the Grammys was so significant.

The Ugly Truth About Music Industry Money

For decades, labels have treated artists like ATMs—but only for withdrawals. When an artist signs a record deal, they get what’s called an “advance,” which sounds nice—until you realize it’s just a loan that the artist has to pay back before they ever see a dime of their own earnings. And even after that debt is repaid, most artists are stuck with awful royalty splits, where the label takes the vast majority of the streaming and album revenue.

To make matters worse, music money moves at a snail’s pace. Unlike a regular job where you get a paycheck every two weeks, artists often have to wait 6 to 12 months—sometimes even longer—just to get paid for work they did last year. Some never get paid at all and have to spend money on lawyers just to chase down checks that should’ve already been theirs.

The Cost of Being an Artist

The sad truth? Fame does not equal financial security. There are artists with millions of streams, hit records, and name recognition who are barely scraping by. Why? Because by the time managers, labels, and distributors take their cut, there’s barely anything left. Touring used to be the best way for an artist to make real money, but even that’s become a financial nightmare, with rising production costs and venues demanding huge percentages of merch sales.

That’s why Chappell Roan’s moment at the Grammys mattered. Most artists play the game, keep quiet, and pretend they’re doing fine because speaking out could cost them opportunities. But she didn’t. She stood up, on music’s biggest stage, and called out an industry built on starving its own talent. And if more artists start speaking up? We might finally see a shift where musicians are treated less like disposable content creators and more like the people actually making the product that fuels this billion-dollar industry.

Question of the day

Did you stop watching the Grammys and if so why? Reply back to this email and we’ll feature you in next week’s mess.

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