by Arik C.
The Grammys are notoriously bad with their hip hop/rap nominations. More than even the oscars, the Grammys tend to vote based on popularity than true talent, but in the rap section it's doubly so. Going through past years of nominations, it feels like there isn't a single Grammy voter who actually listens to the genre and they just vote for the names they recognize.
This year isn't a whole lot different, but there are a few interesting choices that I'm very happy about. Namely two of the five nominations for Best Rap Album of the year. It's only two, and it's not a large step forward, but I'll take any step forward.
Best Rap Album Nominations:
Universal Mind Control
Common
Relapse
Eminem
R.O.O.T.S.
Flo Rida
The Ecstatic
Mos Def
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
Analysis: What I like more about two of the albums on this list is the one album off it: Jay-z's Blueprint 3. Jay-Z is one of, if not THE most prolific artist in the genre, and it's very easy for him to get nominated by the popularity contest that is the Grammys. I feel they did a great job this year of limiting his nominations to the individual tracks (you'll see later) and keeping the so-so album off the top five.
Having said that, the Grammy voters had to put some big-name up there and I suppose with only 50 and Eminem left, Eminem wins by default. Though I know some who champion the album as a return to form, so I'll let it slide.
Common is another one of those artists that's tough to hate. I didn't think it was near his best work, but I'll take it over many of the albums released the past year.
Flo Rida is hovering just above LCD rap in my eyes, and a sizable chunk of what makes "Right Round" work is the familiarity of the hook from the 80s classic. (It's sad to think that many of those younger fans probably don't realize the hook isn't original). I disagree with this album being on here, but I suppose it's better than the album Ludacris won the whole damn thing for in 2006 (the crap that is Release Therapy).
This leaves the two fantastic albums: Mos Def's The Ecstatic and Q-Tip's The Renaissance. These are two of the best of the past 12 months, The Renaissance especially having the legs to be remembered as a classic in the near future. I can't lie, I'm shocked as hell that these two are on here. Neither was too succesful, and neither felt nearly commercial enough to make a Grammy list. The Grammys have gained a drop of legitimacy with these two, but could lose it all if the win goes elsewhere.
My choice for winner: The Renaissance (Q-Tip)
Who I think Will Win: Relapse (Eminem)
Most disappointing snub: Back On My B.S. (Busta Rhymes)
Best Rap Song Nominations:
"Best I Ever Had"
Drake
"Day 'N' Nite"
Kid Cudi
"Dead And Gone"
T.I.
"D.O.A."
Jay-Z
"Run This Town"
Jay-Z
Analysis: This is where Jay-Z belongs. There were some good tracks off that album (though these weren't the best two...) and he should get nominated for them. I'm taking some shit for my non-enjoyment of Blueprint 3, but I like Shawn Carter, don't get me wrong.
"Day 'N' Nite" is one of those songs that's much better than it has any right to be. Kid Cudi is one of the more popular of this new breed of hip hop: The backpackers becoming mainstream. (Along with fellow nom Drake and my fav, Wale.) It's this reaching out for the slightly different that makes "Day 'N' Nite" work. I don't mind the nomination at all.
"Best I Ever Had" is more mainstream and a bit boring. I think Drake has a lot of potential, but hasn't realized it yet in the mainstream (but I liked a mixtape of his...). I think they should have waited on rewarding Drake and given this spot to Q-Tip (who is stupidly left off every other category despite the best album nod).
"Dead And Gone" is pretty good for the type of thing the Grammys reward. No real complaint, yet no real enthusiasm either.
My choice for winner: "Day 'N' Nite" (Kid Cudi)
Who I think will win: "Dead And Gone" (T.I.)
Most disappointing snub: "Gettin' Up" (Q-Tip)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominations:
"Ego"
Beyonce & Kanye West
"Knock You Down"
Keri Hilson, Kanye West, and Ne-Yo
"Run This Town"
Jay-Z, Rihanna, & Kanye West
"I'm On A Boat"
The Lonely Island & T-Pain
"Dead And Gone"
T.I. & Justin Timberlake
Analysis: Whoa Whoa Whoa. Does this mean The SNL boys are legitmate rappers now? I mean, this is kind of a big deal. "I'm On A Boat" is a joke, right? It wasn't meant to be taken seriously in the genre, was it? Well, I guess I'm kinda glad. The boys of The Lonely Island are pretty gifted in what they do, and this is a welcome breath of fresh air.
I like "Run This Town" enough, even if the video turned me off a bit. "Dead And Gone" seems to be a song the Grammys are getting behind, though that never means a guarantee.
I think that leaves "Ego" as the real contender, and for good reason. It has that old-school sound that helps the voters and it's also the most fun of the nominations (outside of "I'm On A Boat"). Two big names are under the title, so I say this is Beyonce's to lose. The only drawbacks could be that this didn't explode like previous Beyonce singles, and that award shows probably don't want to give Kanye a chance to get on stage again.
My choice for winner: "Ego" Beyonce & Kanye West
Who I think will win: "Ego" Beyonce & Kanye West
Most disappointing snub: "Life Is Better" (Q-Tip & Norah Jones)
Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group Nominations:
"Too Many Rappers"
Beastie Boys & Nas
"Crack A Bottle"
Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent
"Money Goes, Honey Stay"
Fabolous & Jay-Z
"Make Her Say"
Kid Cudi, Kanye West, and Common
"Amazing"
Kanye West & Young Jeezy
Analysis: I'm sure Josh B. is excited about the Beastie Boy inclusion. (Check out his scan of the track here). I am, too. It's nice to see the legends battle it out with the kids.
"Crack A Bottle" is a pretty good track, probably in the top half of Eminem's legacy. Having two heavyweights (commercially anyway) doesn't hurt the chances.
I'm not a Fabolous fan, but "Money Goes, Honey Stay" isn't bad. But in no way should this be on the list. Where is Mos Def's "Auditorium" with Slick Rick? How are you going to skip that and put on this ultimately forgettable track?
"Make Her Say" is better for Kid Cudi's attraction to the SLIGHTLY strange, but it's hardly the top 5.
"Amazing" is one of Kanye's more interesting attempts, so I'll give him credit there, but I'm not too excited about it. I won't get upset at the inclusion, though.
My choice for winner: "Too Many Rappers" (Beastie Boys & Nas)
Who I think will win: "Crack a Bottle" (Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent)
Most disappointing snub: "Auditorium" (Mos Def & Slick Rick)
Best Rap Solo Performance Nominations:
"Best I Ever Had"
Drake
"Beautiful"
Eminem
"D.O.A."
Jay-Z
"Day 'N' Nite"
Kid Cudi
"Casa Bey"
Mos Def
Analysis: Finally they look at Mos Def again. He really has the best "performance" of the five, even if it may not be the best song on the list. (Though maybe it is). I'd be okay with Kid Cudi taking this, which he might. Letting those "whonk whonks" on the track was a simple thing that a lot of MCs wouldn't have done.
Jay-Z's "D.O.A." might win just because people are sick of Auto-tune. Eminem is never a bad choice for performance, since he's such a gifted writer and performer, but this isn't the right song, and he has his Grammys already for better work.
My choice for winner: "Casa Bey" (Mos Def)
Who I think will win: "Day 'N' Nite" (Kid Cudi)
Most disappointing snub: "Gettin' Up" (Q-Tip)
Overall the nominations are better than in recent years, but the Grammys still have an uphill battle to really show they know something about hip hop. Then again no category really has the best in this thing, as the prerequisite to get nominated is to sell well.
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