After the unprecedented success of Thriller, Michael Jackson seemed unstoppable. Yet, when it came time for the Grammy Awards to honor his follow-up album Bad, the music world witnessed a surprising snub that still resonates today.

Michael Jackson’s complicated relationship with the Grammys began even before Bad. His 1979 album Off The Wall received a mere single Grammy—Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”—while missing out on Album of the Year.

Jackson was frustrated by what he perceived as racial pigeonholing, limited to R&B categories despite his broad appeal. This perceived injustice fueled his reinvention as the “King of Pop,” culminating in the historic eight Grammys for Thriller in 1984.

However, the momentum didn’t carry over to Bad. Released in 1987, Bad was a commercial juggernaut, making Jackson the first artist ever to have five #1 singles from one album—a record only matched decades later by Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, which also went Grammy-less.

Despite timeless hits like “Smooth Criminal,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and the title track “Bad,” the 1988 Grammy Awards delivered a painful blow: four nominations, including Album of the Year, but no wins.

In 1989, Jackson was again nominated for Record of the Year for “Man In The Mirror” but lost once more.

The only Grammy connected to Bad came two years later in 1990 for Best Short Form Music Video for “Leave Me Alone,” a single released well after the album’s peak.

This stark contrast from his sweeping victory in 1984 left many fans and industry insiders baffled. Videos from the ceremony reportedly show a visibly disappointed Jackson in the audience, a reaction that underscored the sting of the snub.

The experience arguably contributed to Jackson withdrawing from attending major award shows unless personally honored, skipping the 1990 Grammys altogether despite winning that year, and only returning in 1993 for the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The reasons behind the snub remain speculative. Some believe the Grammys tend to “cool down” artists after a breakout year, a pattern seen with other stars like Taylor Swift.

Others suggest that racial dynamics influenced the Academy’s decisions, uncomfortable with a Black artist dominating such prestigious categories repeatedly.

Whatever the cause, the legacy of Bad remains untarnished. The album’s influence, record-breaking chart success, and iconic tracks have cemented its place in music history, proving that Grammy recognition, while prestigious, isn’t the ultimate measure of greatness.

Michael Jackson continued to push creative boundaries throughout his career, leaving an indelible mark that transcends any awards ceremony.

In the end, Bad’s Grammy snub serves as a reminder that even the most revered institutions can overlook true artistry—and that sometimes, history itself is the truest judge.