Do Better: Viewers Call Out The Grammys For Labeling Virgil Abloh ‘Hip-Hop Designer’ During Memorial Tribute
The Grammys are facing backlash from viewers for remembering Virgil Abloh as a “Hip-Hop designer” during the 2022 Grammy Awards.
Source: Edward Berthelot / Getty
We’ve previously documented how Hip-hop has had a very rocky relationship with the Grammys, going all the way back to the days of Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff protesting the show. Decades ago, they boycotted over Hip-Hop categories not being televised, and ironically, last night’s “Best Rap Album” category wasn’t televised either.
To say any progress has been made would be straight lies and between The Weeknd still boycotting and Drake’s withdrawal of his nominations, it’s a bumpy road.
Last night, the Grammys struck another nerve with hip-hop, viewers, and even those who barely even listen to Hip-Hop.
#GRAMMYs paid tribute to Virgil Abloh🕊️ pic.twitter.com/2dVTZzWpe3
— SAINT (@saint) April 4, 2022
While remembering the life of the late Virgil Abloh, the Grammys referred to him as ‘Hip-Hop fashion designer” which many felt was “coded” and “racist.”
Virgil Abloh had one hand on the steering wheel of two massive companies: Nike and Louis Vuitton, all while maintaining his own brand, Off-white. Plus, Virgil was nominated for a Grammy for his design work on Watch The Throne.
Needless to say, many thought the label had racist undertones and were not happy with how the Grammys used the phrase “Hip-Hop designer” to remember Abloh.
You can see a few immediate reactions below.
Type it in, Google’s your friend bruh.
— TIDAL (@TIDAL) April 4, 2022
“The negros were fond of him”
As if they couldn’t have just said fashion designer.Issa microaggression https://t.co/uXo9Gqzjz8
— A$AP $TOCKY 🇯🇲🇦🇬 (@Inc0gkneegrow) April 4, 2022
“Hip Hop” Fashion Designer? What the hell? He was the Creative Director for fucking LOUIS VUITTON, one of the biggest luxury houses in the world. https://t.co/Fxv7t6DGvo
— OshKosh Fagosh (@yosoymichael) April 4, 2022
The Grammys calling Virgil Abloh a “Hip Hop Fashion Designer”…big yikes
— Jacob Gallagher (@jacobwgallagher) April 4, 2022
this is EXACTLY what the Grammys just did to Virgil Abloh
it’s like a racially-charged sneak diss or something@RecordingAcad get your shit together pic.twitter.com/IbahF0sNmE
— daniel h ⛷ (@daniels_visions) April 4, 2022
Minimizing Virgil Abloh to a “Hip-Hop Fashion Designer” is nasty behavior. Whoever at the Grammys that’s responsible, you’re not seeing heaven.
— Ronald Isley (@yoyotrav) April 4, 2022
Gm. When the Grammys calls a multi-hyphenate like Virgil Abloh a “hip-hop fashion designer,” we know we’ve still got a long way to go. You can do better, the Grammys. pic.twitter.com/L0gd3mLJK6
— jeffcarvalho.eth🎈 (@jeffcarvalho) April 4, 2022
