Grammys 2025: Fans Express Disappointment Over Zakir Hussain’s Exclusion From ‘In Memoriam’ Tribute
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, left many music lovers, particularly in India, disappointed when legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain was excluded from the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment. Every year, the Grammys pay tribute to influential artists who passed away in the previous year, but this year, the renowned Indian musician, who was a four-time Grammy winner, was notably absent from the tribute.
The segment, which was performed by Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, honoured several musicians, including Liam Payne, Kris Kristofferson, Cissy Houston, Tito Jackson, Joe Chambers, Jack Jones, Mary Martin, Marianne Faithfull, Seiji Ozawa, and Ella Jenkins. However, Zakir Hussain, who had passed away in December 2024, was not mentioned, leading to an outcry from his fans.
On social media, many fans voiced their disappointment, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration. One user tweeted, “Dude, where the hell is Ustaad Zakir Hussain???” Another wrote, “How come there was no mention of Zakir Hussain in the Grammy obituary? #Grammys2025 He was a winner just last year.” Other posts criticized the omission, with one stating, “Mind-boggling that Zakir Hussain wasn’t given a tribute tonight. He won four Grammys himself and was a huge influence even on Western culture.” Some fans were particularly upset, saying, “Just last year, Zakir Hussain won three Grammys, and he didn’t even get included in the tribute section. Idiots!”
Zakir Hussain, known for his mastery of the tabla, was one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians. He made history at the 66th Grammy Awards by becoming the first Indian musician to win three Grammy Awards in a single night, claiming victories in the categories of Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and Best Global Music Album. Hussain’s contributions to music were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
The maestro passed away at the age of 73 in December 2024 due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. His death was mourned by fans and musicians worldwide, with hundreds gathering at his funeral in San Francisco to pay their respects. Legendary percussionist Sivamani and other musicians performed drums at the ceremony in his honour.
The exclusion of Zakir Hussain from the Grammy tribute has sparked widespread discussion, with fans calling for greater recognition of his monumental legacy in the global music community.
