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—one that still resonates decades later.

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

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

However, that momentum did not carry over to Bad. Released in 1987, the album was a commercial juggernaut, making Jackson the first artist ever to have five No.

1 singles from a single album—a record only matched decades later by Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, which also went Grammy-less.

Despite iconic hits like “Smooth Criminal,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and the title track “Bad,” the 1988 Grammy Awards handed Jackson 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 popularity.

The stark contrast from his sweeping victory in 1984 left fans and industry insiders baffled. Footage from the ceremony reportedly shows a visibly disappointed Jackson in the audience—an expression that captured the sting of the snub.

This experience arguably contributed to Jackson’s withdrawal from attending major award shows unless personally honored. He skipped the 1990 Grammys altogether despite winning that year, returning only in 1993 to accept the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The reasons behind the snub remain speculative. Some believe the Grammys have a tendency to “cool down” artists after breakout years, a pattern seen with others like Taylor Swift.

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

Whatever the cause, Bad’s legacy remains untarnished. Its influence, record-breaking chart success, and iconic tracks have cemented its place in music history. Grammy recognition, while prestigious, is far from the ultimate measure of greatness.

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

Ultimately, the Bad 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.