Why Didn't 'Uptown Funk' Contributor Trinidad James Take Home a Grammy?

Trinidad James photographed backstage during the Billboard Hot 100 Festival on Aug. 22, 2015 at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York.

MEREDITH JENKS

Don’t believe it? Just watch. Or better yet, listen.

Atlanta rapper Trinidad James’ “All Gold Everything” is incorporated into Bruno Mars’ crooning chorus in Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” The spontaneous dance-party go-to of the century recently nabbed Ronson, Mars and the rest of the track’s production team Grammys for record of the year and best pop duo/group performance. All except for James.

Exclusive Premiere: Trinidad James Jumps on Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ ‘Uptown Funk’

“Songwriters do not share in the nomination for a Grammy Award in a Record of the Year,” a Recording Academy rep told Complex. A song of the year win would have apparently grabbed James an award, as a songwriter.

How 11 Songwriters Split $2 Million From ‘Uptown Funk!’

Despite the lack of recognition, James’ can’t-miss hook in “Uptown Funk" gets him an 8 percent financial cut of the song. (To break it down, that’s $150K out of a whopping $2 million.) 

http://adyou.me/2xFX