Today, February 4th, we’re all excited to tune in to this year’s Grammy Awards and find out which artists will take home the prestigious award. It’s one of the biggest nights in music, and for many artists, being nominated for a Grammy is a dream come true. But did you know that the Grammy Awards haven’t always been inclusive of all genres and artists?
Back in the early years, the Grammys struggled to fully appreciate the contributions of Black musicians. There were biases in the nominations and wins, and certain genres like R&B and Rap were often overlooked. To make matters worse, these categories were not even included in the televised segments of the awards show. This made it clear that there were disparities faced by artists in these genres.
But don’t worry, things have been changing for the better! The music industry, artists, and audiences have all spoken up and advocated for change. The Grammy Awards have listened and made efforts to be more inclusive. They now recognize the significant impact that Black artists have had on the music world and have been working hard to amplify diverse voices.
In recent years, we’ve seen more attention given to R&B and Rap categories. These genres have taken center stage during the main broadcast of the Grammy Awards. It’s great to see these artists finally getting the recognition they deserve!
The Grammy Awards have also made some changes to their categories to better reflect the evolving music landscape. One notable change is in the Urban category, which has now become the Best Melodic Rap Performance. This category embraces the hybrid trends in the genre and recognizes solo artists and collaborations that incorporate elements of R&B, rock, country, electronic music, and more.
This year, the Grammy Awards have introduced a brand new category called the Best African Music Performance. This is an exciting addition that celebrates the rich and diverse music from Africa. Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, expressed his enthusiasm for this new category, citing his own experiences and appreciation for the music he encountered during his visits to Africa.
Let’s Meet Some of the Nominees!
DAVIDO
Grammy Nominations: Best Global Music Performance Feel, Best African Music Performance Unavailable, Best Global Music Album Timeless
Davido has secured his first three Grammy nominations after an incredible 12-year journey in the music industry. He stands out in the new Best African Music Performance category. Fun fact: Davido is also recognized as one of Apple Music’s most prominent Nigerian artists!
TYLA
Grammy Nomination: Best African Music Performance Water
Tyla achieved her first Top 10 hit in the United States with the summer single “Water.” This milestone not only marked a significant achievement but also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance. We can’t wait for her debut album, TYLA, which is scheduled for release in March!
VICTORIA MONÉT
Grammy Nominations: Record of the Year On My Mama, Best R&B Song On My Mama, Best New Artist, Best R&B Performance How Does It Make You Feel, Best Traditional R&B Performance Hollywood, Best R&B Album Jaguar II, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Jaguar II
Victoria Monét started her journey as a songwriter and has now become a prolific collaborator with artists like Ariana Grande and Nas. Her recent debut album, Jaguar II, has captivated audiences and earned her a remarkable seven Grammy nominations. Fun fact: Her daughter also secured a Grammy nomination for a featured song, becoming the youngest Grammy nominee in history!
DRAKE
Grammy Nominations: Best Rap Performance Rich Flex, Best Rap Song Rich Flex, Best Melodic Rap Performance Spin Bout U, Best Rap Album Her Loss
Drake, known for his hit songs, has been critical of the Recording Academy in the past. However, he has submitted some of his tracks for consideration this year. We’ll see if he adds more Grammy wins to his collection!
SZA
Grammy Nominations: Album of the Year S.O.S., Best Progressive R&B Album S.O.S., Record of the Year Kill Bill, Song of the Year Kill Bill, Best R&B Performance Kill Bill, Best Traditional R&B Performance Love Language, Best R&B Song Snooze, Best Melodic Rap Performance Low, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Ghost in the Machine
SZA has emerged as a prominent figure at this year’s Grammys with an impressive nine nominations. She has been making waves in the music industry, and this could be her year to take home a Grammy as a solo artist!
COCO JONES
Grammy Nominations: Best R&B Performance ICU, Best New Artist, Best R&B Song ICU, Best R&B Album What I Didn’t Tell You(Deluxe), Best Traditional R&B Performance Simple
Coco Jones, known for her roles in Disney’s “Let it Shine” and the Bel-Air Peacock series, has earned her first five Grammy nominations. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes once her debut album is released!
BURNA BOY
Grammy Nominations: Best Melodic Rap Performance Sittin on Top of the World, Best African Music Performance City Boys, Best Global Music Performance Alone, Best Global Music Album I Told Them…
Burna Boy’s upcoming performance at the Grammy Awards is a historic moment for him and the Nigerian music industry. With four Grammy nominations, he has become the first Nigerian artist to achieve such recognition for five years in a row. Burna Boy is truly a trailblazer!
AYRA STARR
Grammy Nominations: Best African Music Performance Rush
Ayra Starr, hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, has secured her first-ever Grammy nomination in the newly introduced Best African Music Performance category. We’re excited to see what she brings to the music world!
METRO BOOMIN
Grammy Nominations: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Best Rap Album Heroes & Villians
Metro Boomin, known for collaborating with many of today’s favorite artists, has earned nominations in two categories. He’s not just a producer but also a talented artist himself. We can’t wait to see what he does next!
So there you have it, folks! The Grammy Awards are not only a celebration of music excellence but also a recognition of the diverse voices that shape the industry. Let’s cheer on these incredible artists and see who takes home the coveted Grammy this year!
