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Tejano music fans were disappointed once again when no Tejano albums were selected for the GRAMMY category Best Música Mexicana Album (including Tejano) when the nominations were announced today by The Recording Academy for the 66th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 4, 2024.
The albums that made the cut are Bordado A Mano by Ana Barbara, La Sanchez by Lila Downs, Motherflower by Flor De Toloache, Amor Como En Las Peliculas De Antes by Lupita Infante, and Genesis by Peso Pluma.
This is not the first time that Tejano music has been shut out from the category. In fact, a Tejano band has not been nominated since 2020, when Intocable was nominated with Percepcion, and Los Texmaniacs in 2019 with Cruzando Borders. Tejano music has been largely ignored by the GRAMMYs over the past few years, despite being a vibrant and influential genre that has a loyal fan base and a rich history.
What does the Tejano industry need to do to receive the respect of having a nominee in a category that specifically says “Including Tejano”? Some may argue that the genre needs to innovate and adapt to the changing tastes of the listeners, while others may say that the genre needs to preserve its roots and traditions. Some may blame the lack of exposure and promotion of Tejano music in mainstream media, while others may point out the bias and discrimination of the music industry towards Tejano artists.
The truth is that there is no simple answer to this question, but one thing is clear: Tejano music deserves more recognition and appreciation from the GRAMMYs and from the music world in general. Tejano music is not just a regional or niche genre, but a cultural expression that reflects the diversity and creativity of the Mexican-American community. Tejano music has contributed to the development of other genres and has influenced many artists across different musical styles.
In 2012, the category was restructured to Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album, combining both categories to decrease the list of categories and awards that year. The following year, the category merged with Best Banda or Norteño Album, combining all the genres in one category as Best Regional Mexican Album (Including Tejano). Only three Tejano albums have been nominated since 2012. The category received its current name for the 66th annual GRAMMY Awards to recognize Mexican-influenced music produced in other countries.
However, this name change does not seem to reflect the reality of the nominations, as Tejano music is still underrepresented and marginalized in the category. The Recording Academy should reconsider its criteria and process for selecting the nominees and ensure that Tejano music is given a fair chance to compete and win in a category that claims to include it. Tejano music fans and artists deserve better than being snubbed year after year by the GRAMMYs.
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