The Official 2025 Hip Hop Grammys Thread
I ain’t hear none of them except for almost half of the Common joint (I’m gonna get to that Eminem jawn soon)…but yeah, just looking at it I think Common and Pete are gonna get that. Grammy’s always tries to be fake underground with this type shhit lol…not always but as of late…specially hip hop
Billboard predicts Doechii for Best Rap Album but says Common & Pete Rock could spoil.
Best Rap Album
Nominees: Might Delete Later (J. Cole); The Auditorium, Vol. 1 (Common & Pete Rock); Alligator Bites Never Heal (Doechii); The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) (Eminem); We Don’t Trust You (Future & Metro Boomin)
Analysis: With a nearly 30-year span between this category’s oldest and youngest contenders, this is one of the most exciting best rap album lineups in recent memory. Given Doechii’s extensive campaign and steady mainstream rise during the voting period, she’s this category’s frontrunner going into February. The TDE breakout star’s Alligator Bites Never Heal arrived with a relatively soft No. 117 debut on the Billboard 200 several weeks after release; through a steady campaign that’s included standout performances on NPR’s Tiny Desk and The Late Show as well as star-studded music videos and Grammy Museum panels, the tape has climbed all the way to No. 33 and spun off Doechii’s first unaccompanied Hot 100 entry in “Denial Is a River” (No. 65 and climbing). An acclaimed Tampa rapper who’s incredibly vocal about maintaining hip-hop’s essence while pushing it in new directions, Doechii is a prime candidate for Grammy darling status — and it certainly helps that she boasts a co-sign from Kung Fu Kenny himself.
We can probably rule out J. Cole’s Might Delete Later as a potential winner here; it’s certainly not a top contender thanks to mixed reviews, tepid commercial performance and the stench of the “7 Minute Drill” fallout. Hip-hop veterans Common & Pete Rock and Eminem probably have an equal chance of taking home the trophy: The Death of Slim Shady is one of two records in this category to top the Billboard 200, and it launched “Houdini,” one of the 40 biggest songs on the 2024 Year-End Hot 100. Eminem boasts the most victories in this category (six), but his last triumph was a decade ago, for an album that spawned three Hot 100 top 10 hits. Common & Pete Rock’s The Auditorium, Vol. 1 was received warmly by critics and older rap fans, and a win here would follow recent victories for hip-hop vets like Killer Mike (2024) and Nas (2021).
Then there’s the Future-Metro question. We Don’t Trust You is easily the commercial giant of the pack, but both Future and Metro have lost their previous individual bids for best rap album. Metro also curiously missed out on a nod for producer of the year, non-classical — which was particularly shocking, as he produced back-to-back No. 1 albums which are both Grammy-nominated this year. The momentum for We Don’t Trust You has also stalled; the album dropped last March and Future followed it up with two more No. 1 albums mere months later, so it may not be as fresh in voters’ minds as Alligator Bites.
Prediction: Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal
Look Out For: Common & Pete Rock, The Auditorium, Vol. 1
www.billboard.com
Best Rap Album
Nominees: Might Delete Later (J. Cole); The Auditorium, Vol. 1 (Common & Pete Rock); Alligator Bites Never Heal (Doechii); The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) (Eminem); We Don’t Trust You (Future & Metro Boomin)
Analysis: With a nearly 30-year span between this category’s oldest and youngest contenders, this is one of the most exciting best rap album lineups in recent memory. Given Doechii’s extensive campaign and steady mainstream rise during the voting period, she’s this category’s frontrunner going into February. The TDE breakout star’s Alligator Bites Never Heal arrived with a relatively soft No. 117 debut on the Billboard 200 several weeks after release; through a steady campaign that’s included standout performances on NPR’s Tiny Desk and The Late Show as well as star-studded music videos and Grammy Museum panels, the tape has climbed all the way to No. 33 and spun off Doechii’s first unaccompanied Hot 100 entry in “Denial Is a River” (No. 65 and climbing). An acclaimed Tampa rapper who’s incredibly vocal about maintaining hip-hop’s essence while pushing it in new directions, Doechii is a prime candidate for Grammy darling status — and it certainly helps that she boasts a co-sign from Kung Fu Kenny himself.
We can probably rule out J. Cole’s Might Delete Later as a potential winner here; it’s certainly not a top contender thanks to mixed reviews, tepid commercial performance and the stench of the “7 Minute Drill” fallout. Hip-hop veterans Common & Pete Rock and Eminem probably have an equal chance of taking home the trophy: The Death of Slim Shady is one of two records in this category to top the Billboard 200, and it launched “Houdini,” one of the 40 biggest songs on the 2024 Year-End Hot 100. Eminem boasts the most victories in this category (six), but his last triumph was a decade ago, for an album that spawned three Hot 100 top 10 hits. Common & Pete Rock’s The Auditorium, Vol. 1 was received warmly by critics and older rap fans, and a win here would follow recent victories for hip-hop vets like Killer Mike (2024) and Nas (2021).
Then there’s the Future-Metro question. We Don’t Trust You is easily the commercial giant of the pack, but both Future and Metro have lost their previous individual bids for best rap album. Metro also curiously missed out on a nod for producer of the year, non-classical — which was particularly shocking, as he produced back-to-back No. 1 albums which are both Grammy-nominated this year. The momentum for We Don’t Trust You has also stalled; the album dropped last March and Future followed it up with two more No. 1 albums mere months later, so it may not be as fresh in voters’ minds as Alligator Bites.
Prediction: Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal
Look Out For: Common & Pete Rock, The Auditorium, Vol. 1
Is a Kendrick Lamar 2025 Grammy Sweep Really That Certain?
Billboard predicts the Rap Field winners at the 2025 Grammys.
www.billboard.com
Billboard tags Kendrick for Best Rap Performance
Best Rap Performance
Nominees: “Enough (Miami)” (Cardi B); “When the Sun Shines Again” (Common, Pete Rock & Posdnuos); “Nissan Altima” (Doechii); “Houdini” (Eminem); “Like That” (Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar); “Yeah Glo!” (GloRilla); “Not Like Us” (Lamar)
Analysis: Oh, look! Another category that “Not Like Us” is expected to win. With seven nominees (due to ties in voting), this field is a bit more stacked than best rap song, but Lamar’s vicious Drake diss is still the favorite. “Like That” is likely second in line to win, but Doechii’s “Nissan Altima” could also lay claim to that title. The song is already a prime showcase of her dexterous rap skills, and her well-oiled campaign should only boost her chances.
We can also probably count Cardi out: Although she now boasts the most nominations in this category among female rappers (five), she’s never won — and “Enough” is far from her strongest contender. Not only does it lack the cultural ubiquity of “Yeah Glo!,” Cardi’s name — while respected — doesn’t hold the weight of a longtime legend like, say, Pete Rock.
Both GloRilla and Pete Rock & Common boast nominations elsewhere in the rap field, so that also indicates that they have a bit more support than Cardi this cycle. Glo, in particular, had a fantastic year, and this could be a great place to reward her, since her Glorious LP won’t compete until the 2026 ceremony. There’s also Emnem’s “Houdini,” which has the potential to surprise as the victor — but Lamar, Future and Doechii have each built up a bit more steam.
Prediction: Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Look Out For: GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
www.billboard.com
Best Rap Performance
Nominees: “Enough (Miami)” (Cardi B); “When the Sun Shines Again” (Common, Pete Rock & Posdnuos); “Nissan Altima” (Doechii); “Houdini” (Eminem); “Like That” (Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar); “Yeah Glo!” (GloRilla); “Not Like Us” (Lamar)
Analysis: Oh, look! Another category that “Not Like Us” is expected to win. With seven nominees (due to ties in voting), this field is a bit more stacked than best rap song, but Lamar’s vicious Drake diss is still the favorite. “Like That” is likely second in line to win, but Doechii’s “Nissan Altima” could also lay claim to that title. The song is already a prime showcase of her dexterous rap skills, and her well-oiled campaign should only boost her chances.
We can also probably count Cardi out: Although she now boasts the most nominations in this category among female rappers (five), she’s never won — and “Enough” is far from her strongest contender. Not only does it lack the cultural ubiquity of “Yeah Glo!,” Cardi’s name — while respected — doesn’t hold the weight of a longtime legend like, say, Pete Rock.
Both GloRilla and Pete Rock & Common boast nominations elsewhere in the rap field, so that also indicates that they have a bit more support than Cardi this cycle. Glo, in particular, had a fantastic year, and this could be a great place to reward her, since her Glorious LP won’t compete until the 2026 ceremony. There’s also Emnem’s “Houdini,” which has the potential to surprise as the victor — but Lamar, Future and Doechii have each built up a bit more steam.
Prediction: Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Look Out For: GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
Is a Kendrick Lamar 2025 Grammy Sweep Really That Certain?
Billboard predicts the Rap Field winners at the 2025 Grammys.
www.billboard.com
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AP predicts Kendrick Lamar for Record of The Year and Song of The Year
Record of the year
“Now and Then,” the Beatles; “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé; “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter; “360,” Charli xcx; “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish; “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar; “Good Luck, Babe!”, Chappell Roan; “Fortnight,” Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
SHERMAN: Beyoncé has never won in this category, but I think her big win will be for album of the year. The Beatles have also never won record of the year. But giving them the prize in 2024 would be less for the AI-assisted track, and more for the fact that we’re talking about a new Beatles song. Lamar deserves to win, but we all know the Grammys love Eilish… I think it is hers to lose.
LANDRUM: The Grammys love handing out trophies to Eilish and Lamar — 17 for him, nine for her. Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” is an infectious, breezy melody, no doubt. But “Not Like Us” should win. Why? This was a game-changing track where Lamar delivered the final knockout blow during an epic rap beef to Drake, following a string of power punches from hits like “Like That,” “Euphoria,” and “6:16 in LA.”
And who could forget when Lamar performed the song five times in a row at his Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert last summer? That was a mic drop moment for the culture.
“Not Like Us” has become a daily affirmation for many (well, maybe not Drake). It’s the kind of track that’s so impactful you almost hope Lamar performs it multiple times during his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance.
Will that happen? Probably not. But hey, a brotha can dream, right?
Much respect to the other nominees, but “Not Like Us” deserves to win, proving once and for all that nothing else even came close.
Song of the year (songwriter’s award)
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)"; “Birds of a Feather"; “Die with a Smile”; “Fortnight”; “Good Luck, Babe!"; “Not Like Us"; “Please Please Please"; “Texas Hold ’Em.” See the full list of songwriters here.
LANDRUM: Picture this: the presenter opens the envelope and announces, “‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick Lamar,” as the crowd erupts in cheers. They can’t resist reciting the chorus: “They not like us, they not like us, they not us!”
It’s not far-fetched to imagine this happening. Lamar’s pen was as lethal as ever on this track. Just ask Drake. With Lamar as the track’s sole songwriter, this feels like the perfect moment for him to finally snag his first win in this category.
SHERMAN: If there’s any justice in this world, you’re correct! And it is about time Lamar earns a trophy in a top four category.
apnews.com
Record of the year
“Now and Then,” the Beatles; “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé; “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter; “360,” Charli xcx; “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish; “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar; “Good Luck, Babe!”, Chappell Roan; “Fortnight,” Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
SHERMAN: Beyoncé has never won in this category, but I think her big win will be for album of the year. The Beatles have also never won record of the year. But giving them the prize in 2024 would be less for the AI-assisted track, and more for the fact that we’re talking about a new Beatles song. Lamar deserves to win, but we all know the Grammys love Eilish… I think it is hers to lose.
LANDRUM: The Grammys love handing out trophies to Eilish and Lamar — 17 for him, nine for her. Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” is an infectious, breezy melody, no doubt. But “Not Like Us” should win. Why? This was a game-changing track where Lamar delivered the final knockout blow during an epic rap beef to Drake, following a string of power punches from hits like “Like That,” “Euphoria,” and “6:16 in LA.”
And who could forget when Lamar performed the song five times in a row at his Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert last summer? That was a mic drop moment for the culture.
“Not Like Us” has become a daily affirmation for many (well, maybe not Drake). It’s the kind of track that’s so impactful you almost hope Lamar performs it multiple times during his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance.
Will that happen? Probably not. But hey, a brotha can dream, right?
Much respect to the other nominees, but “Not Like Us” deserves to win, proving once and for all that nothing else even came close.
Song of the year (songwriter’s award)
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)"; “Birds of a Feather"; “Die with a Smile”; “Fortnight”; “Good Luck, Babe!"; “Not Like Us"; “Please Please Please"; “Texas Hold ’Em.” See the full list of songwriters here.
LANDRUM: Picture this: the presenter opens the envelope and announces, “‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick Lamar,” as the crowd erupts in cheers. They can’t resist reciting the chorus: “They not like us, they not like us, they not us!”
It’s not far-fetched to imagine this happening. Lamar’s pen was as lethal as ever on this track. Just ask Drake. With Lamar as the track’s sole songwriter, this feels like the perfect moment for him to finally snag his first win in this category.
SHERMAN: If there’s any justice in this world, you’re correct! And it is about time Lamar earns a trophy in a top four category.
Beyoncé, Kendrick, Sabrina and more: AP predicts who will win at the 2025 Grammys
Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammys nominee pack, but Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Charli xcx are vying for their moment in the spotlight.
apnews.com
AP says Kendrick is a lock for Best Rap Performance
Best rap performance
“Enough (Miami),” Cardi B; “When the Sun Shines Again,” Common and Pete Rock featuring Psdnuos; “Nissan Altima,” Doechii; “Houdini,” Eminem; “Like That,” Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar; “Yeah Glo!”, GloRilla; “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
LANDRUM: There are some big names in this category, but none of the nominees are quite like Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The only real challenger? Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” which, um, features Lamar himself.
Either way, Lamar takes the win.
SHERMAN: It is Lamar’s, no question about it.
apnews.com
Best rap performance
“Enough (Miami),” Cardi B; “When the Sun Shines Again,” Common and Pete Rock featuring Psdnuos; “Nissan Altima,” Doechii; “Houdini,” Eminem; “Like That,” Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar; “Yeah Glo!”, GloRilla; “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
LANDRUM: There are some big names in this category, but none of the nominees are quite like Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The only real challenger? Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” which, um, features Lamar himself.
Either way, Lamar takes the win.
SHERMAN: It is Lamar’s, no question about it.
Beyoncé, Kendrick, Sabrina and more: AP predicts who will win at the 2025 Grammys
Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammys nominee pack, but Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Charli xcx are vying for their moment in the spotlight.
apnews.com
Vulture says Kendrick SHOULD win Record Of The Year but Sabrina Carpenter WILL win.
Record of the Year
“Now and Then,” the Beatles
“Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé
“Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter
“360,” Charli XCX
“Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish
“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
“Good Luck, Babe!,” Chappell Roan
“Fortnight,” Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
It’s the rare year where all eight nominees have a potential shot. Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar’s hits were everywhere. Chappell Roan and Charli XCX both had enviable breakouts, even if they weren’t as tied to specific tracks. These aren’t anywhere near Taylor Swift’s or Beyoncé’s best entries, but each is overdue a Record of the Year trophy. Billie Eilish has won ROTY twice this decade, so never count her out. And, well, a win for the so-called final Beatles song in 2025 would just be the kind of shyt the Academy is known to pull.
So how should we parse this? Over the past few years, Record of the Year has gone to a hit that showed an obvious level of craft — not the biggest song but the one the Academy seemed to wish more music would sound like. Those winners usually have a throwback quality to them. Two this year that bill the best: “Texas Hold ’Em” and “Espresso.” Beyoncé likely impressed the Academy’s more conservative voters by bringing in a rich array of live instruments on Cowboy Carter, including folk scholar Rhiannon Giddens plucking the banjo on “Texas.” “Espresso,” meanwhile, rode a breezy ’80s groove to the top of the charts — and modeled how to break an artist years into her career.
Really, though, this should be an open-and-shut case for “Not Like Us.” Lamar is on his fourth ROTY nod without a win, but artists rarely get to break those streaks with such a deserving song — especially one that drove a whole news cycle and a summer of partying.
Will win: “Espresso”
Should win: “Not Like Us”
Record of the Year
“Now and Then,” the Beatles
“Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé
“Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter
“360,” Charli XCX
“Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish
“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
“Good Luck, Babe!,” Chappell Roan
“Fortnight,” Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
It’s the rare year where all eight nominees have a potential shot. Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar’s hits were everywhere. Chappell Roan and Charli XCX both had enviable breakouts, even if they weren’t as tied to specific tracks. These aren’t anywhere near Taylor Swift’s or Beyoncé’s best entries, but each is overdue a Record of the Year trophy. Billie Eilish has won ROTY twice this decade, so never count her out. And, well, a win for the so-called final Beatles song in 2025 would just be the kind of shyt the Academy is known to pull.
So how should we parse this? Over the past few years, Record of the Year has gone to a hit that showed an obvious level of craft — not the biggest song but the one the Academy seemed to wish more music would sound like. Those winners usually have a throwback quality to them. Two this year that bill the best: “Texas Hold ’Em” and “Espresso.” Beyoncé likely impressed the Academy’s more conservative voters by bringing in a rich array of live instruments on Cowboy Carter, including folk scholar Rhiannon Giddens plucking the banjo on “Texas.” “Espresso,” meanwhile, rode a breezy ’80s groove to the top of the charts — and modeled how to break an artist years into her career.
Really, though, this should be an open-and-shut case for “Not Like Us.” Lamar is on his fourth ROTY nod without a win, but artists rarely get to break those streaks with such a deserving song — especially one that drove a whole news cycle and a summer of partying.
Will win: “Espresso”
Should win: “Not Like Us”
Kendrick Lamar Could Make History At The 2025 Grammys
Kendrick Lamar could write himself further into the history books at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where has seven nominations in five categories.
hiphopdx.com
Forbes taps Kendrick Lamar for Record of The Year
Yes, Kendrick Lamar Had The Record of the Year
Like clockwork, the Grammy Awards each year include at least one category with multiple would-be winners. This year, Record of the Year nominees include Chappell Roan’s career-making hit (“Good Luck, Babe”), a summer anthem (Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso), the awards season champ (Taylor Swift, nominated for “Fortnite” featuring Post Malone) and the voter-friendly dark horse (the aforementioned “Now And Then).
Oh, and the ballot also includes Charli XCX, Billie Eilish and Beyoncé. Not bad, right?
Of course, there’s also “Not Like Us," the Kendrick Lamar track released last May during the height of his captivating rap beef with Drake. Above any other song this year, “Not Like Us" captured attention for its layered lyricism (which was boosted from his public feud with Drake) and enigmatic production. It was a rap phenomenon, earning more than a billion streams on Spotify to-date, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and scoring the top slot on many critics’ year-end song polls.
And, in arguably a feat that tops any metric, “Not Like Us” provided many with a stop-and-everything-and-listen moment – a rare achievement in today’s endlessly-scrolling society.
www.forbes.com
Yes, Kendrick Lamar Had The Record of the Year
Like clockwork, the Grammy Awards each year include at least one category with multiple would-be winners. This year, Record of the Year nominees include Chappell Roan’s career-making hit (“Good Luck, Babe”), a summer anthem (Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso), the awards season champ (Taylor Swift, nominated for “Fortnite” featuring Post Malone) and the voter-friendly dark horse (the aforementioned “Now And Then).
Oh, and the ballot also includes Charli XCX, Billie Eilish and Beyoncé. Not bad, right?
Of course, there’s also “Not Like Us," the Kendrick Lamar track released last May during the height of his captivating rap beef with Drake. Above any other song this year, “Not Like Us" captured attention for its layered lyricism (which was boosted from his public feud with Drake) and enigmatic production. It was a rap phenomenon, earning more than a billion streams on Spotify to-date, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and scoring the top slot on many critics’ year-end song polls.
And, in arguably a feat that tops any metric, “Not Like Us” provided many with a stop-and-everything-and-listen moment – a rare achievement in today’s endlessly-scrolling society.
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www.forbes.com
New York Post taps Kendrick for Record of The Year
As with Album of the Year, this category is dominated by female artists, which should split the pop-diva vote between Carpenter, Roan, Eilish and Swift, who has shockingly never won here. Neither has
Beyoncé, but it feels more like Album of the Year will be the breakthrough over ROTY.
Eilish, though, has already won twice, for “Bad Guy” in 2020 and “Everything I Wanted” in 2021. As great as “Birds of a Feather” is, it’s hard to see her winning a third just yet. And while “Espresso” has the edge over “Good Luck, Babe!” here, it may still have too much girl power to overcome in a stacked field.
So it could very well come down to the fellas: While we wouldn’t count out The Beatles with their AI-assisted “last song,” this feels like Lamar’s moment — just a week before he headlines the Super Bowl halftime show. It would be only the second time that a rap track won ROTY — after Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” in 2019 — and it’s a hip-hop anthem for the ages.
SHOULD/WILL WIN: Kendrick Lamar
nypost.com
As with Album of the Year, this category is dominated by female artists, which should split the pop-diva vote between Carpenter, Roan, Eilish and Swift, who has shockingly never won here. Neither has
Beyoncé, but it feels more like Album of the Year will be the breakthrough over ROTY.
Eilish, though, has already won twice, for “Bad Guy” in 2020 and “Everything I Wanted” in 2021. As great as “Birds of a Feather” is, it’s hard to see her winning a third just yet. And while “Espresso” has the edge over “Good Luck, Babe!” here, it may still have too much girl power to overcome in a stacked field.
So it could very well come down to the fellas: While we wouldn’t count out The Beatles with their AI-assisted “last song,” this feels like Lamar’s moment — just a week before he headlines the Super Bowl halftime show. It would be only the second time that a rap track won ROTY — after Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” in 2019 — and it’s a hip-hop anthem for the ages.
SHOULD/WILL WIN: Kendrick Lamar
Grammys 2025 predictions: Who will win vs. who should win?
Will it be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift? Kendrick Lamar or Billie Eilish? Sabrina Carpenter or Chappell Roan? We break down the races in the Big Four categories at this Sunday’s 67th annual Grammy…
nypost.com