The GRAMMYs Omitting BRENT HINDS During Their In Memoriam Segment Really, Truly Sucks

Every year the GRAMMYs air their In Memoriam segment to remember all the major musical names lost throughout the previous year. And while this year's obviously included Ozzy Osbourne, there was one glaring oversight that I (and a lot of the rock and metal world) was a little shocked by – Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds.

Hinds, the guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of Mastodon, died on August 20, 2025, at the age of 51 following a motorcycle accident in Atlanta. His death sent shockwaves through the metal world and beyond both thanks to its suddenness and the fact that Hinds and Mastodon were feuding after their split; and of course bummed out every musician and music-lover, as Hinds was easily one of the most unique guitarists out there. You heard a Hinds solo (or riff, etc.) and you immediately knew it was him.

The omission of Brent Hinds from the 2026 GRAMMY Awards' In Memoriam segment is first and foremost shocking considering Mastodon's long and well-documented relationship with the Recording Academy.

Mastodon received multiple GRAMMY nominations over the years, culminating in a win for Best Metal Performance in 2018 with “Sultan's Curse.” Hinds' guitar work and songwriting were integral to that achievement, as they were to albums like Leviathan, Crack the Skye, and Emperor of Sand – a handful of which got Mastodon nominated for Best Metal Performance, Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, and Best Rock Album over the years.

I know Mastodon isn't exactly a household name, but come on – Mastodon is still a massive band. They've been featured in major mainstream TV and movies like Monsters University, Game of Thrones, Bill & Ted Face the Music, the Dark Nights: Death Metal series, and of course the gloriously-titled Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters.

All of this is to state in a roundabout way the following: really guys? You're gonna ignore Brent Hinds? I know expectations are low when it comes to acknowledgement of the rock and metal world – or at the very least giving a nod to an incredible musician gone too soon – but this feels especially egregious.