The 2016 Grammys Performers Were Disappointing, Thanks To Rihanna, Adele, And Others

The 2016 Grammys were all set to be a great event. Performances by Rihanna, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Adele, and Lady Gaga were just a few of the big draws. But, after actually experiencing the ceremony and witnessing all the mistakes that were made in delivering what could have been a night to remember, many viewers agreed that the 2016 Grammys were a flop.

Rihanna had been slated to perform at the Grammys for over a week. She was excited to be included in the event, reports say, and she even attended the rehearsals in Los Angeles earlier this week. There, according to a source who spoke to Billboard, she “killed it.”

Unfortunately, reports TMZ, the singer is suffering from bronchitis, and per doctor’s recommendation, she chose not to go through with the 2016 Grammys performance.

She did not think to notify the Grammys organizers that she would not be appearing, though, until it was too late for them to find another artist to replace her.

#NAVY so sorry I couldn't be there ….. Thanks Grammys and CBS for your support tonight.

— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 16, 2016

Rihanna was not the only artist scheduled for the Grammys that proved to be a no-show. The R&B legend Lauryn Hill was expected to take on a duet with The Weeknd, one of her favorite bands, and was also at Grammys rehearsals, but according to the Grammys committee, she simply turned up too late for her scheduled performance.

Adele’s showing at the Grammys was another disappointment. She did indeed appear, but due to technical issues with the sound and lighting departments, as well as issues with the singer’s voice, which some viewers said sounded “flat.” It should be noted, though, that according to Us Weekly, the sound difficulties were only apparent to those listening to the Grammys broadcast; at the live Grammys ceremony, Adele sounded great.

WHY ARE THEY RUINING ADELE??? The sound and lighting are AWFUL #GRAMMYs #Grammys2016

— I’m That Girl (@HeatherRWB) February 16, 2016

Next on the list was Justin Bieber. Like Adele, the sound was off-kilter during his high-energy rendition of “Where Are U Now?”

There was also a lot of hype that Beyonce, who is arguably the most popular name in pop culture at the moment, would make an extended surprise appearance at the 2016 Grammys. Fans were excited to see her take the stage, but she only ended up showing her face for a few moments and did not even appear on the red carpet before the Grammys began.

People also wanted to see more of Ariana Grande, another artist who is very hot right now, at the Grammys. Grande showed up on the pre-Grammys red carpet, but she left only a few minutes after the show actually started for unspecified reasons.

Rihanna cancelled her performance, Beyoncé didn't show up and Ariana left 15 minutes into the show…..the Grammys are a flop this year

— bray (@arianaculture) February 16, 2016

That is not to say there was nothing good about the 2016 Grammys. Kendrick Lamar’s medley of his own music was incredible, Lady Gaga’s David Bowie tribute was touching and inspired, and Robin Thicke’s electric collaboration with Pitbull was a great way to close out the night.

Still, a barrage of Tweets during and after the Grammys revealed that many viewers did not enjoy the night as much as they had hoped.

The #GRAMMYs perfectly encapsulated this last year in music. Lackluster, boring, unoriginal ??#grammyfail #flop @TheGRAMMYs

— Chris Hufalar (@chrishufalar) February 16, 2016

Maybe that’s what they were going for: a metaphor that illustrated the course of the music industry in 2015.

In any case, let’s hope that the Grammys organizers can do a better job next year of coordinating with their performers and making sure their technical team has all their cues down.

Did you watch the Grammys last night? Do you agree they were a “flop” or did you enjoy them? Let us know in the comments section!

[Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS]