justin vernon's speech

"It's really hard to accept this award. There is so much talent out here on the stage; there is a lot of talent that is not here tonight. It's also hard to accept because when I started to make songs, I did it for the inherent reward making songs..."




I am thrilled that Bon Iver, a folk indie band, pulls up an upset to win a Grammy (Best New Artist), toppling down J. Cole, The Band Perry, Nicki Minaj, and Skrillerz. Good music, once again, broke through the almost impenetrable walls of mainstream music, so I guess it is understandable that people who are estranged to this kind of music are in outrage, which I think is quite amusing. :P I am rejoicing while some Nicki Minaj fan wallows in confusion and disbelief, lashing out his wounded feelings into a Bonny Bear forum.

I watched the Grammys last night and out of all the winners, Justin Vernon's speech, I think, was the most sincere, boldest, and the only one which sounded like a speech you would expect from a genuine artist. Some say, it's pretentious. Some say he despises the Grammy Awards, but in my opinion, he really meant every word that came out of his mouth. I felt like he was receiving that award in behalf of all the unsung artists of independent music. He was uncomfortable receiving the award because, out there, a lot of talent is not recognized and will never be recognized through mainstream standards, yet he was there. It was also hard for him to receive the award because to the artist, the craft, the artistry is the essence of it all; the act of expressing oneself for the satisfaction of making art, and recognition, in a way, betrays it.