Legendary tabla maestro Ustaad Zakir Hussain known for revolutionizing Indian classical music on a global scale, passed away on December 15, 2024 at the age of 73 leaving a huge void not only in the Indian music industry but on in the world music industry. Despite being a four-time Grammy Award winner and receiving prestigious honors like the National Heritage Fellowship and the Kyoto Prize, he was notably not included in the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the 67th Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025. This Grammys snub sparked outrage among fans and musicians including renowned Indian singer and composer Adnan Sami, who directly called out Recording Academy.
Adnan Sami Calls Out Grammys Over Zakir Hussain Snub
Taking to Instagram, Adnan Sami slammed the Grammys for failing to honour his dear friend and an iconic musician, expressing his disappointment in a heartfelt post. He wrote, “Dear Grammys, in your ‘Memoriam’, you inexcusably missed mentioning the passing away of the greatest tabla player in the world, who was also a four-time Grammy winner – Ustaad Zakir Hussain from India…SHAME ON YOU!”
Fans and Netizens React
Adnan Sami’s statement over Recording Academy resonated with fans, who voiced their frustration in the comments. One user questioned the significance of the Grammys, saying, “Why give the Grammys so much importance? A talent like Zakir Hussain Ji does not need their acknowledgment.” Another user remarked, “They didn’t mention Vinnie Paul; why would they recognize Zakir Hussain? Grammys focus more on popularity than quality.” A third comment read, “Grammy Awards are a sellout. They mean nothing.”
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Despite his passing, Zakir Hussain’s impact on the global music industry clearly remains undeniable. Even during his last days in 2024, he won three Grammys in the categories of Global Music Performance, Contemporary Instrumental Album and Instrumental Composition. He proudly accepted these awards on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, standing tall on the global stage as a maestro in his field.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Grammy Awards’ ‘In Memoriam’ segment honoured several other notable artists including Liam Payne, Kris Kristofferson, Cissy Houston, Rich Homie Quan and Quincy Jones.
Zakir Hussain was a pioneer who brought Indian classical music to an international audience. He was the eldest son of legendary tabla player Alla Rakha and was widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time. His passing due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was a great loss to the music world.
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