Since 1959, the Grammy Awards have arguably been considered the most prestigious award ceremony in the music industry. Every year, prominent musicians, producers, and other music legends gather anxiously at Staples Center in Los Angeles with the hopes of winning a gold-plated, shiny gramophone. But, of course, not everyone can be a winner. In fact, there are several chart-topping artists who have never even won a Grammy.
If you’re only keeping tabs of the winners, here are seven megastars who (as of 2014) haven’t taken home a Grammy:
1. Snoop Lion
Famed rapper turned reggae star Snoop Lion (or better known as “Snoop Dogg”) has been nominated over 15 times for a Grammy, yet he’s been “dropped like it’s hot” each time. In reality, however,he’s had stiff competition from some heavy-hitters, including Kanye West, Beyoncé, and Dr. Dre.
2. Katy Perry
With a net worth of $44 million and three Guinness World Records under her belt, you’d think Katy Perry is a shoo-in, but she hasn’t received a Grammy yet. She’s lost to British singer-songwriter Adele three times since 2009, and if she doesn’t win something soon, Katy might just step outside of her teenage dream to let out a “roar.”
3. Guns N’ Roses
This one might come as a surprise, as multiplatinum-selling rockers Guns N’ Roses have sold more than $100 million records worldwide and shelled out hit after hit, including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Paradise City,” and, of course, the radio-saturated earworm, “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” But despite their success, the band—who is now worthy of being called “Axl N’ Rose” after the lead vocalist fired every original member—is still Grammy-less.
4. Nicki Minaj
It’s hard to imagine the voters from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) nodding their heads to the provocative and sex-crazed songs of Nicki Minaj, so it’s no surprise that she’s never won a Grammy. Needless to say, the 32-year-old rapper’s award shelf isn’t exactly empty. She’s won four American Music Awards, eight BET Awards, two MTV Music Awards, and a slew of others.
5. Justin Bieber
Sorry beliebers, but your pretty-boy Justin walked away empty-handed not once but twice for a Grammy. What is worthy of an award, however, is the great length that non-beliebers go to express their dislike for the pop star. As the subject of great ridicule amongst an army of angry Americans, the Canadian-born singer was once petitioned to be deported back to his home country, but the White House simply laughed it off.
6. Journey
We’ve all turned up the radio, rolled down the windows, and screamed “Don’t Stop Believin’” (you’re singing it now, aren’t you?) while driving down the road, but Journey’s 1981 hit single didn’t even get nominated for a Grammy. In fact, they weren’t even nominated until 1997 for their heartfelt song, “When You Love a Woman.” To this day, they’re still looking for their first win, despite losing vocalist Steve Perry.
7. Kiss
Here’s a band that’s good enough to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but they’re not even Grammy-winners. Perhaps it was the scary face paint, extreme pyrotechnics, and the incessant tongue-flicking of bassist Gene Simmons that scared Grammy voters away. They were only nominated once back in 1999 for Best Hard Rock Performance, but they lost to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
