Mariah Carey Calls the Grammys “Overrated” After Years of Being Snubbed

When you think of Mariah Carey, you think of soaring five-octave vocals, timeless Christmas dominance, diamond-certified records, and a career spanning over three decades that has influenced an entire generation of artists. Yet, for all her cultural impact and undeniable chart success, the Grammys have often treated the “Songbird Supreme” as if she were just another nominee on the ballot.

Now, Mariah Carey herself is speaking candidly about it — and she’s not sugarcoating her thoughts.

During a recent appearance on Pitchfork’s Over/Under YouTube series, Carey was asked for her honest take on the Grammy Awards. Without hesitation, she laughed and declared:

“Ha, I think the Grammys are overrated.”

When pressed further, she doubled down, saying both the ceremony and the award itself were “overrated.” And in typical Mariah fashion, she added a cheeky softener at the end: “But we love everybody.”

This bold statement has reignited a decades-long debate: Has Mariah Carey been unfairly snubbed by the Grammys?

Mariah Carey and the Grammys: A Complicated Relationship

Mariah Carey’s history with the Recording Academy stretches back to the very start of her career. In 1991, she burst onto the global music scene with her debut single Vision of Love, a track that not only topped charts but also redefined vocal performance standards in pop and R&B. That year, she won Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, instantly cementing herself as a Grammy darling.

But as her career evolved, the Recording Academy’s recognition of her achievements began to dwindle. Despite 34 nominations over the years, Carey has only taken home five Grammy Awards — a number shockingly small when compared to her commercial dominance and influence.

To put it in perspective:

Mariah Carey has 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, second only to The Beatles.

She has sold over 220 million records worldwide.

Her single All I Want for Christmas Is You alone is a cultural juggernaut, breaking streaming records every December.

And yet, she hasn’t received a Grammy nomination since 2009.

The “Emancipation” Era and a Rare Grammy Triumph

One of the few times Mariah Carey received proper Grammy recognition was in 2006 during her The Emancipation of Mimi era. The album was hailed as her grand comeback, reintroducing her as not only a vocal powerhouse but also as a songwriter and producer at the height of her artistry.

That night, Carey won:

Best Contemporary R&B Album (The Emancipation of Mimi)

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (We Belong Together)

Best R&B Song (We Belong Together)

Many fans felt this was just a fraction of what she deserved. We Belong Together dominated charts worldwide, won critical acclaim, and is often called one of the greatest love songs ever written. Yet despite the song’s legendary status, Carey lost the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories to U2’s Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own.

That disappointment became another chapter in what many describe as the Recording Academy’s long history of undervaluing Black women in music.

The Long Silence Since 2009

After her 2009 nomination for I Understand (alongside Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, and Bebe Winans), the Recording Academy has seemingly placed Mariah Carey on mute.

This silence is especially baffling considering her output in the years that followed. Carey has continued to release music, embark on world tours, and dominate the cultural conversation — particularly with her unmatched reign over the holiday season. Each year, All I Want for Christmas Is You returns to No. 1, proving her enduring influence.

Yet, the Grammys haven’t called her name once in over 15 years.

Mariah Carey Pokes Fun at the Recording Academy

Even when she was honored with the Recording Academy’s Global Impact Award in February 2024, Carey used the moment to highlight the irony of her situation.

Holding the award on stage, she joked:

“Is this a real Grammy? I haven’t seen one in soooooo long. It’s weird. I don’t know. We’ll figure out what this is later.”

The room erupted with laughter, but behind the humor was a deeper truth — one that many of her peers and fans have echoed: the Grammys don’t always get it right.

A Pattern of Grammy Snubs

Mariah Carey isn’t the first artist to criticize the Recording Academy. Other legendary figures — including Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Snoop Dogg, and Nicki Minaj — have openly questioned the fairness of Grammy nominations and wins.

The Weeknd famously boycotted the Grammys after Blinding Lights, one of the biggest songs of the decade, received zero nominations.

Beyoncé, despite holding the record for the most Grammy wins, has never won Album of the Year, a fact many view as evidence of systemic bias.

Snoop Dogg, with 16 nominations and zero wins, called out the Academy for its inconsistency.

Mariah Carey’s candid remarks are part of this larger narrative: the Grammys often fail to reflect true cultural impact.

Why Mariah Carey Says the Grammys Are “Overrated”

So why does Mariah Carey, one of the most decorated artists in pop history outside of the Grammys, consider the awards “overrated”?

Lack of Recognition for Longevity

Carey has maintained relevance across four decades, a feat very few artists achieve. Yet the Grammys stopped acknowledging her after 2009.

Questionable Voting Practices

The Recording Academy has faced criticism for its opaque voting process, accused of favoring politics and industry relationships over genuine artistry.

Cultural Disconnect

While Carey has shaped pop, R&B, and holiday music, the Academy has often failed to reward her innovations.

A Matter of Principle

For Carey, who prides herself on songwriting and producing her own work, the lack of acknowledgment feels like a dismissal of her artistry.

By calling the Grammys “overrated,” she’s essentially stripping the award of its perceived power — reminding fans that her legacy doesn’t need validation from a gold gramophone.

Mariah Carey’s Legacy Beyond Awards

Here’s the truth: Mariah Carey’s place in music history is secure with or without Grammys.

Songwriting Genius: She has written or co-written 18 of her 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles.

Cultural Influence: From Hero to Fantasy to All I Want for Christmas Is You, her catalog defines eras.

Trailblazer for Artists: Singers like Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Christina Aguilera have cited her as a direct influence.

Holiday Queen: She has built an empire around Christmas music that ensures her cultural presence for generations to come.

Unlike many artists who fade with time, Carey continues to reinvent herself, connect with fans, and dominate conversations.

Fans React: Justice for Mariah?

Carey’s comments have sparked passionate discussions online. Many fans flooded social media with support, echoing her frustrations:

“Mariah Carey deserves way more than 5 Grammys. This is a joke.”

“The Grammys lost credibility a long time ago. Mariah’s legacy speaks louder than awards.”

“She’s right. Overrated. The numbers don’t lie, but the Grammys do.”

Others noted that Carey’s honesty reflects her confidence. She doesn’t need validation because her music has already validated itself through decades of success.

So, Are the Grammys Really Overrated?

If you measure musical greatness by impact, influence, and longevity, then yes — the Grammys fall short. The awards may celebrate artistry, but they often fail to recognize artists whose cultural contributions outshine industry politics.

Mariah Carey calling them “overrated” is both a critique and a liberation. It frees her — and perhaps other artists — from placing too much importance on recognition that may never come.

Final Thoughts: Mariah Carey’s Voice Is Louder Than Any Award

At 56 years old, Mariah Carey remains one of the most powerful voices in music, both literally and figuratively. Her willingness to call out the Grammys shows that she values her art, her fans, and her legacy over industry accolades.

Yes, she has only five Grammys. But she also has:

Billions of streams.

Millions of records sold.

Generations of fans who consider her music part of their lives.

And perhaps most importantly — she has the last laugh every December when the world crowns her the Queen of Christmas once again.

So, are the Grammys overrated? If Mariah Carey says so, maybe it’s time we all stop giving them more credit than they deserve.