Zayn Malik slams Grammy Awards for snub, despite not being eligible: 'Next year I'll send confectionery'

The British pop star accused the Recording Academy of not considering artists for nominations unless they 'send gifts'

epa06482907 Zayn Malik arrives for the 60th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, USA, 28 January 2018. EPA-EFE/JASON SZENES

It might have been several months since nominations were announced for the 2021 Grammy Awards, but the pain appears to still be raw for Zayn Malik.

The British singer, 28, took to Twitter on Tuesday to call out the Recording Academy, accusing the organisation of snubbing artists who don't play the game.

"Unless you shake hands and send gifts, there's no nomination considerations," the former One Direction star tweeted just days before this year's ceremony. "Next year I'll send you a basket of confectionery."

Malik was not, however, eligible for nomination at this year's awards. His latest album, Nobody Is Listening, was released in January, but the eligibility period for Grammys consideration was for music released between September 2019 and August 2020.

Malik's first single from the album, Better, also couldn't qualify, as it was released last September.

He later clarified his initial tweet, posting on the social media platform: “My tweet was not personal or about eligibility.”

"It was about the need for inclusion and the lack of transparency of the nomination process and the space that creates and allows favouritism, racism and networking politics to influence the voting process."

As per the voting process, members of the Recording Academy and registered media companies are invited to submit entries for consideration. The eligibility of entries is determined by more than 350 experts, with final decisions made by voting members of the academy.

Pillowtalk star Malik has not yet been nominated for a Grammy during his career. His 2017 collaboration with Taylor Swift, I Don't Wanna Live Forever, was up for Best Song Written for Visual Media, but was credited to songwriters Swift, Jack Antonoff and Sam Dew.

Malik was also snubbed in the 2017's ceremony nominations for Best New Artist, after the release of his 2016 debut solo album Mind of Mine. The singer was deemed ineligible because of his success and fame as part of boy band One Direction.

Former member Harry Styles, coincidentally, is up for awards at the 2021 Grammys: Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album for Fine Line, and Best Music Video for Adore You.

Malik is not the only star to criticise the Recording Academy's voting process in recent months. When nominations were first announced, The Weeknd called the Grammys "corrupt" following his exclusion from all categories.

"You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency," the Canadian singer-songwriter tweeted at the time.

Rapper Nicki Minaj also took to Twitter to remind her fans that she has never won an award at the industry event, despite having received 10 nominations over the years.

“Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my Best New Artist award when I had seven songs simultaneously charting on Billboard and a bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade – went on to inspire a generation,” she wrote. “They gave it to the white man Bon Iver.”

Beyonce leads the 2021 nominees with nine nods, making her the second-most nominated Grammy artist in history, with a total of 79 nominations.

The Grammys will be handed out in Los Angeles on Sunday, in an event hosted by comedian Trevor Noah.