Page 8 - Will Smith: A Biography of a Rapper Turned Movie Star

Will Smith
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even some of those who had grown up with the rebellion of rock and
roll. Although rap was finally making it to the Grammy Awards, it
seemed to Smith and Townes that NARAS might have felt the same
way. The duo was disappointed to learn that the award for rap perfor-
mance would not be televised on the live Grammy Awards program.
According to NARAS, this was not a judgment on the validity
of one type of music over another. It was simply a question of
time. There were seventy-six musical categories, but only fifteen
presentations would fit into the broadcast. The other awards,
including the one for rap performance, would be given out in a
separate ceremony before the broadcast. NARAS president
Greene explained, “Every year people get mad because their form
is not on. I’m glad people feel passionate about their music. We
take note and generally try to even it out year by year.”3
Still, Smith and Townes took it as a slap in the face. They
were proud of their music and proud that it came out of their
African-Americanheritage. Smithexplained their frustration,
saying, “It’s like going to school for twelve years and then not
being able to walk across the stage [and get your diploma].”4
After thinking it over, Smith and Townes made a decision.
If their category of music was not important enough to be
televised, then they would boycott the ceremony—and they
did. The people of NARAS got the message. After that year,
the rap performance award would be televised.
Smith and Townes won the 1989 Grammy for best rap
performance. Even though the duo did not attend the
ceremony, that night marked the first time that many people
heard the name Fresh Prince. It would be far from the last.