Another year, another Hip Hop Grammys thread...
2024 marked an uncharacteristically gladiatorial year in mainstream Hip Hop. Winter finally came and a reckoning was witnessed by all as the top three artists the genre has to offer set aside the niceties and went to war for, not only the crown of "Best Rapper Alive" but also seemingly for Hip Hop's very soul. Commercial juggernaut Drake and critical wunderkind Kendrick Lamar unleashed a fury of lava molten hatred at one another, while perennial third banana J.Cole chose to take the high road (many would say the coward's path) and not ultimately engage. This battle seemed to give the culture surrounding rap a much needed shot in the arm, as rappers the country over stepped their games up and delivered several stellar projects after what could be considered a lackluster 2023 regarding artistic output. After the dust settled and all was said and done, we had some noteworthy projects from the likes of Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, Vince Staples, Gunna, Big Sean, Ka (RIP) Benny The Butcher and Megan Thee Stallion to show that Hip Hop was very much alive and kicking. 2024 also saw the reemergence of veteran MC's putting out quality products such LL Cool J, Lupe Fiasco, Common, and Masta Ace. Rap's new school proved to be in good hands with the likes of Doechii and Glorilla taking the reigns and proving they have what it takes to forge a path towards longevity. Blockbuster rap returned with 21 Savage, Future, Tyler The Creator, and Kendrick Lamar dominating the charts and breaking records.
When it was all said and done, the Recording Academy chose a diverse pool of MC talent to represent the best of what rap had to offer in 2024. Common & Pete Rock's critically acclaimed ode to Adult Contemporary Hip Hop, The Auditorium Vol.1, will face off against new school breakthrough Doechii's "Alligator Bites Never Heal", Chart topping sensation Future & Metro Boomin's "We Don't Trust You, former Big 3 lyricist J.Cole's "Might Delete This Later", and Eminem's "Death Of Slim Shady"; will all face off for Best Rap Album. After claiming victory over rival Drake with one of the most effective, vicious, and undeniably catchy diss songs ever created, Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" will not only contend for two trophies in the rap categories (Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song) but also in the general field in the categories of Song of The Year and Record of The Year. With these general field nominations, Kendrick Lamar has the potential to become only the second rapper to win in the aforementioned categories behind Childish Gambino, who swept both back in 2019 for his fiery, racially charged single "This Is America".
Special mention must also be shown to former rapper, current Jazz flutist Andre 3000, whose freeform, experimental instrumental album "New Blue Sun" surprised many by being nominated in the general field for the coveted Album Of The Year trophy. Though few project him to actually take home the award, it is notable to point out that 3000, as a member of the rap duo Outkast, is the first and to date only rapper to win Album Of The Year, having done so 21 years ago with the diamond certified "Speakerboxx/The Love Below". Will lightening strike twice for the enigmatic musical polymath? Will Kendrick Lamar's lyrical genius and combustible musicality see him finally breakthrough to general field glory? Will the elder stalwarts Common & Pete Rock claim victory in the Best Rap Album category, or will the mainstream dominance of Future & Metro reign supreme? Or perhaps, will both be spoiled by the fresh face and youthful exuberance of Doechii?
This and other questions will be answered February 2nd at 8pm when the 67th annual Grammy awards air live on CBS and Paramount+
2024 marked an uncharacteristically gladiatorial year in mainstream Hip Hop. Winter finally came and a reckoning was witnessed by all as the top three artists the genre has to offer set aside the niceties and went to war for, not only the crown of "Best Rapper Alive" but also seemingly for Hip Hop's very soul. Commercial juggernaut Drake and critical wunderkind Kendrick Lamar unleashed a fury of lava molten hatred at one another, while perennial third banana J.Cole chose to take the high road (many would say the coward's path) and not ultimately engage. This battle seemed to give the culture surrounding rap a much needed shot in the arm, as rappers the country over stepped their games up and delivered several stellar projects after what could be considered a lackluster 2023 regarding artistic output. After the dust settled and all was said and done, we had some noteworthy projects from the likes of Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, Vince Staples, Gunna, Big Sean, Ka (RIP) Benny The Butcher and Megan Thee Stallion to show that Hip Hop was very much alive and kicking. 2024 also saw the reemergence of veteran MC's putting out quality products such LL Cool J, Lupe Fiasco, Common, and Masta Ace. Rap's new school proved to be in good hands with the likes of Doechii and Glorilla taking the reigns and proving they have what it takes to forge a path towards longevity. Blockbuster rap returned with 21 Savage, Future, Tyler The Creator, and Kendrick Lamar dominating the charts and breaking records.
When it was all said and done, the Recording Academy chose a diverse pool of MC talent to represent the best of what rap had to offer in 2024. Common & Pete Rock's critically acclaimed ode to Adult Contemporary Hip Hop, The Auditorium Vol.1, will face off against new school breakthrough Doechii's "Alligator Bites Never Heal", Chart topping sensation Future & Metro Boomin's "We Don't Trust You, former Big 3 lyricist J.Cole's "Might Delete This Later", and Eminem's "Death Of Slim Shady"; will all face off for Best Rap Album. After claiming victory over rival Drake with one of the most effective, vicious, and undeniably catchy diss songs ever created, Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" will not only contend for two trophies in the rap categories (Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song) but also in the general field in the categories of Song of The Year and Record of The Year. With these general field nominations, Kendrick Lamar has the potential to become only the second rapper to win in the aforementioned categories behind Childish Gambino, who swept both back in 2019 for his fiery, racially charged single "This Is America".
Special mention must also be shown to former rapper, current Jazz flutist Andre 3000, whose freeform, experimental instrumental album "New Blue Sun" surprised many by being nominated in the general field for the coveted Album Of The Year trophy. Though few project him to actually take home the award, it is notable to point out that 3000, as a member of the rap duo Outkast, is the first and to date only rapper to win Album Of The Year, having done so 21 years ago with the diamond certified "Speakerboxx/The Love Below". Will lightening strike twice for the enigmatic musical polymath? Will Kendrick Lamar's lyrical genius and combustible musicality see him finally breakthrough to general field glory? Will the elder stalwarts Common & Pete Rock claim victory in the Best Rap Album category, or will the mainstream dominance of Future & Metro reign supreme? Or perhaps, will both be spoiled by the fresh face and youthful exuberance of Doechii?
This and other questions will be answered February 2nd at 8pm when the 67th annual Grammy awards air live on CBS and Paramount+
