The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards were set to be a night of electrifying performances and stunning moments, but one anticipated act pulled out, leaving fans puzzled. SZA, the acclaimed artist behind hits like “Snooze” and “Shirt,” had been slated to perform at the VMAs, but she made a dramatic exit from the lineup. The reason? A glaring omission that shook the music world – SZA’s absence from the Artist of the Year category.
In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, the president of Top Dawg Entertainment and one of SZA’s managers, shed light on the situation. According to Punch, discussions were underway for SZA to deliver a show-stopping rendition of “Snooze” at the event. However, things took a sudden turn when MTV failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for why she hadn’t received a nomination for Artist of the Year.
Punch, visibly frustrated by the lack of engagement from MTV, voiced his concerns, stating, “That was the disrespect. It wasn’t just about not getting nominated. The ultimate disrespect is when you don’t even want to discuss why she wasn’t nominated or what the criteria was.” He drew a parallel with the infamous “Shut up and dribble” comment made by Laura Ingraham in 2018, which targeted basketball stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Punch’s comparison underlined the feeling of dismissal and indifference that SZA’s team felt.
This incident wasn’t the first time Punch criticized MTV and the VMAs. In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he expressed his bewilderment, saying, “Obviously, she had one of the best years, if not the best year, of any artist at this point. I don’t see why she wouldn’t be nominated for Artist of the Year. It just really didn’t make any sense to me. It’s disrespectful.” Although Punch didn’t explicitly state that the snub directly led to the withdrawal, the implication was clear.
Meanwhile, in a tantalizing tidbit from the Rolling Stone interview, SZA hinted at the upcoming deluxe edition of her album SOS, aptly titled “Lana.” Fans can expect a generous addition of 10 new songs to the already acclaimed album, potentially arriving by the end of the fall.
As the controversy unfolds, Newsound has reached out to both the Video Music Awards and SZA’s representatives for their comments on this matter. The music world awaits their response, and the 2023 MTV VMAs will surely be remembered for more than just the performances and awards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SZA VMAs Controversy
Q: What led to SZA’s cancellation of her 2023 VMAs performance?
A: SZA canceled her 2023 VMAs performance primarily due to her absence from the Artist of the Year category. Top Dawg Entertainment’s Punch, one of her managers, revealed that discussions were in progress for her to perform “Snooze” at the event. However, the decision to withdraw came about because MTV failed to explain why she wasn’t nominated for Artist of the Year and showed little interest in discussing the criteria for the nomination.
Q: How did Punch, the president of Top Dawg Entertainment, react to MTV’s handling of the situation?
A: Punch expressed frustration and disappointment with MTV’s handling of the situation. He considered MTV’s lack of engagement on the Artist of the Year issue as disrespectful. He compared it to the infamous “Shut up and dribble” comment, highlighting the feeling of being dismissed and unheard.
Q: Did SZA receive nominations in other categories at the 2023 VMAs?
A: Yes, despite the Artist of the Year snub, SZA received nominations in six other categories at the 2023 VMAs. She eventually won the Best R&B category for her song “Shirt.”
Q: Has SZA hinted at any new music in the future?
A: Yes, in the Rolling Stone interview, SZA hinted at the upcoming deluxe edition of her album SOS, titled “Lana.” This deluxe edition is expected to include an additional 10 songs, potentially releasing by the end of the fall.
Q: Did Punch express his concerns about SZA’s Artist of the Year snub in previous interviews?
A: Yes, Punch had previously criticized MTV and the VMAs in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He expressed his bewilderment at SZA not receiving a nomination for Artist of the Year, given her exceptional year in music. While he didn’t explicitly state that the snub led to the performance cancellation, the implication was clear.
Q: Has there been any response from MTV or SZA’s representatives regarding this controversy?
A: As of now, there hasn’t been a response from MTV or SZA’s representatives regarding the controversy. Newsound has reached out to both parties for their comments on the matter, and the music world eagerly awaits their responses.
More about SZA VMAs Controversy
- Rolling Stone Interview with Punch
- The Hollywood Reporter Interview with Punch
- MTV Video Music Awards Official Website
- SZA’s Official Website
- SZA’s Instagram
- SZA’s Twitter
4 comments
sza’s album “lana” sounds hype, can’t w8 for it to drop!
sza cancel vma show cuz they din’t nom her for artist of the year??!! Wut?? total disrespect, man!
even tho its about music, its like mtv told sza to “shut up and dribble” like with lebron & KD! smh.
punch got it right, mtv needs 2 explane y they snub sza, no respek at all.