Who Really Deserved the Grammy?

There has been much discussion about Alicia Keys’ Grammy sweep in 2002 and India Arie going home empty-handed despite seven nominations.

Alicia Keys remains one of only three Black women to win five Grammys in a single night. The simple answer to why she won? She had the better record.

Alicia Keys was signed to Clive Davis, while India Arie was signed to Motown. Clive Davis, a legendary industry figure, hosts an annual Pre-Grammy party and is essentially synonymous with the Grammys. Imagine having the backing of the man who introduced Whitney Houston to the world.

While India Arie’s album was undoubtedly strong, and personal opinions may vary on what influenced the results, Alicia Keys’ debut remains more widely celebrated and has stood the test of time in public perception.

Songs in A Minor has been inducted into the National Recording Registry—one of the highest honors an album can receive. Some even consider it her best work (though that’s up for debate).

At the end of the day, one artist now holds 16 Grammys, while the other has four.

The Grammys exist to recognize talent and artistry. Being nominated is already an honor, and Alicia Keys simply had the stronger record that year. And that’s okay.

I encourage you to listen to both albums in full—or at least their singles. Consider not just the music, but the industry backing each artist had, and who had more momentum at the time.