The Grammys nominated many accused sexual predators this year, but CEO defends decision

The Grammy awards nominees list for 2021 threw up a couple of surprises, and not everyone is happy about it. The list includes several artists who have been accused of sexual assault in the past.

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US singer Marilyn Manson has been accused of sexual assault by several women and is facing a number of lawsuits, including from his former partner, Evan Rachel Wood. He is nominated for his work on Donda by Kanye West under 'Album of the Year'.

Another repeat nominee is Chris Brown, who is nominated for his work on H.E.R.'s Back of My Mind, Donda, as well as under the 'Best Christian Music' category. Chris Brown has a history of violence against women, including pleading guilty to felony assault after punching and choking his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009. He was accused of hitting a woman as recently as June of this year, but the charges were later dropped.

Comedian Louis C.K. is also nominated for a 2022 Grammy for 'Sincerely Louis CK'. He was previously accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women, amid the #MeToo movement, and later in a statement said, "These stories are true". In the special, for which he is nominated, he reportedly even jokes about the accusations.

Other artists who have faced their share of significant controversy over the past year who are also nominated — including Travis Scott, who is currently being sued following multiple deaths and injuries at his Astroworld festival. He is also nominated for his work on Donda.

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But here's what is making fans angry. Recording Academy's CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., says this isn't a problem.

Mason added, The Grammys won’t restrict people who can submit their material for consideration. The awards won’t look back at people’s history, their criminal record, won’t look at anything other than the legality within which the Grammy rules lie.