If the Grammy Awards don’t want to pay Miley any attention, FINE. Sound Hammock will. The two are on a pretty comparable scale if you ask me.
When Miley’s latest album Plastic Hearts released in November of 2020, it debuted as No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart, beating out rock classics like ACDC and Smashing Pumpkins. This year, Miley was ranked Billboard’s No. 1 female rock artist of 2021. Plastic Hearts was her fastest album to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify, and saw huge commercial success with the songs "Midnight Sky" and "Prisoner" (ft. Dua Lipa). Miley also dominated this year’s festival scene, and was featured on the Forbes Under 30 list for the second time. If that’s not rock star status, I’m not sure what is.
Considering all of these accomplishments, it came as quite a shock to see that Miley got completely shut out of the Grammy nominations this year. She handled it like the queen she is, tweeting “In Good Company 🤘🏼” along with an article titled 30 Artists Who Haven’t Won Grammys.
Miley might not have been butt hurt, but I certainly was. So here is an article dedicated to the one and only Miley Cyrus. Scroll through to read about just a few reasons why Miley is a lovable, Grammy-deserving, role-model-worthy rock star.
THE VERSATILITY
Just take a look at her last three projects. Younger Now (2017) is a country-pop album. She Is Coming (2019) is a pop EP with hiphop and trap influences. Plastic Hearts (2020) is a rock album. Is there anything Miley can’t do? No. The answer is no.
The Hits
It’s impressive enough to have one huge hit to be remembered for. Miley has several. I’m not just talking radio hits that most people will recognize- I’m talking cultural resets: "Party in the USA," "Wrecking Ball," "We Can’t Stop," "The Climb," "7 Things."
She wore that Hannah wig for a reallyyyy long time
Miley put on that Hannah Montana wig when she was 13 and remained fully committed- bedazzled scarves and all- for a full five years, until the last episode aired when she was 18. Miley has grown to have a heartwarming and mature relationship with Hannah and the show, regularly posting pictures of the Hannah years for some reminiscent laughs. She also wrote her alter ego a letter on the 15-year-anniversary of the show and posted it writing, “I still love you 15 years later. #HMforever.”
Her biggest scandals were nothing!
So she had a few breakups, stuck her tongue out and smoked a little weed. Let the girl live! Many Disney stars grow up to have their coked-out party photos circulated through every drug store and now cell phone around the world, but when Miley posed for a Vanity Fair shoot in a white sheet she was shamed beyond belief, and that was only the beginning. If the worst Miley has done is show her bare bod and stand for marijuana use, I think that’s pretty commendable.
That brings us to our next reason to love Miley:
2013 VMAs
The pop star knows how to grab a crowd’s attention. This VMA performance will go down in history, and I’m here for it. Miley had to break away from her Disney image, and what a way to do it! It might not have been the smartest choice, but it sure was entertaining.
Major Activist Status
Miley is a world-wide activist, supporting charities and foundations such as Red Cross, The Elton John Aids Foundation, Amnesty International and more. The singer also started her own non-profit in 2014, Happy Hippie Foundation, focusing on homeless youth and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Collab Tracklist
Miley has collaborated with arguably the most amazing and diverse group of artists. Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, Mark Ronson, Britney Spears, Nelly, Big Sean, Ariana Grande and Ludacris, to name just a handful.
Backyard Sessions
Miley has taken part in a few “backyard sessions,” all of which I’m completely obsessed with.
If you’d like to love and honor Miley, here is a playlist to help you do so: