Hozier: The Overlooked Genius With No Grammys

Having been wronged by the Recording Academy for years, Beyonce finally won 'Album of the Year' at Grammys 2025 and as expected, the beehive went into a frenzy. Then there was Kendrick Lamar, who won 5 Grammy Awards, thanks to, in part, his feud with Drake. But Irish singer-songwriter Hozier’s Too Sweet (Unreal Unearth: Unending, 2023) that became a staple on curated playlists worldwide, blasted at almost every coffee shop and on the radio, did not translate to even a single Grammy nomination at the Recording Academy’s 67th Grammys Awards.

Was it the most glaring omission?

The last time Hozier was nominated for a Grammy was for his debut song ‘Take me To Church’ in 2015 and fans have been waiting for over a decade since 

Unlike mainstream artists, Hozier isn’t in a rush to put songs out. Why? Well, his songs are often critical of the world and the culture yet brace the beauty and poetry around us. He doesn’t stick to mass produced beats either. Hozier’s music is almost old-world wisdom gently strum through melodies that transverse genres. The quiet intensity in his voice is haunting but is almost filled with tenderness and unmistakable soul-stirring as recognizable in songs like ‘From Eden’, ‘ Nobody’s Soldier’, ‘ Dinner & Diatribes’, ‘ Eat Your Young’ often exploring infectious rhythms while reflecting the existential.

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Take a look at the lines from the song ‘From Eden’ (2014) :

“Honey, you're familiar like my mirror years ago
Idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on its sword
Innocence died screaming, honey, ask me, I should know
I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door”

Hozier reimagines the relationship between Eve and Satan that slithers in the Garden of Eden as a snake. Or the lines from the title track Unreal Unearth from his latest studio album wherein he hints at the paradox of human experience – both grounded in reality yet looking for a release:

“God, It’s so unreal, unearth,
To feel the weight of this on earth,
To feel it break, to feel it burn.”

With a poetic approach to song writing, his songs sometimes allude to the American politics, other times gender politics to the gospel hymns and myths. It is no surprise then that the lyrical genius is authentic and brings depth through his profound musical sensibilities.

So, the question naturally lingers: What is not Grammy worthy of Hozier? Is it a simple oversight or an unfortunate industry blind spot, or is it yet another instance of Recording Academy’s undervaluing certain artists?

The Grammy Problem

Snubs are nothing new. It is also very competitive and only a few are considered for nominations and let alone winning. But hear me out! Hozier’s absence from the list of nominations and lack of his presence at the Award ceremony raises a serious question about how the Recording Academy perceives artistry.

There already exists a well-documented bias towards chart-topping pop and hip-hop artists in major categories, often leaving introspective and alternative musicians on the fringes of recognition.

In the past, many have deliberately missed out on attending the renowned ceremony. Some have been vocal about the biases like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik.

In fact, many artists don’t simply fall into the category of the commercially successful as the pop artists do- but do they not deserve that recognition? The secretive selection by the Recording Academy also doesn’t help. ‘Too Sweet’ while lauded by critics and fans also proves that Hozier a radio-friendly artist. He can groove just as hard as he can make us weep! He is the sound that stands apart.

For many Hozier represents a return of genuine artistry in an era dominated by commercialism. He does not confine to the pop music identity or a stage persona. He is deeply rooted in soul- evident from the smooth falsettos, wry lyrics- and viral sensation that his music promises. But then he dabbles in rock and blues and is always committed to crafting music that speaks of the current times.

Hozier can’t be confined to a particular genre, nor will his music not take a centre stage over his persona. So, if anything the snub at the Grammys is a reminder that good music need not be the most decorated.  The lack of a Grammy nod won’t dimmish the magic and the impact.