The nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards were publicly announced, Tuesday, Nov. 24, with a live presentation via their official website. CBS will be the television home of music’s premiere night which is set to air Jan. 31.
Megan Thee Stallion’s rapid accession to stardom continues after receiving four Grammy nods in the Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best New Artist and Record of the Year categories. Conspicuously absent from Grammy Award consideration was the record-breaking, wicked duet single “WAP” with Bronx native Cardi B. Reports indicate that the song will be submitted for next years, 2022, honors to coincide with the release of Cardi B’s follow-up album to her three-times platinum debut album “Invasion of Property.”
Newcomer Roddy Ricch garnered nominations for “The Box” in Best Rap Song, Song of the Year and Best Melodic Rap Performance categories. Brooklyn’s own Pop Smoke unfortunately can’t bask in the glow of his consideration, but the CITY will hold him down if he brings home the statue; believe that. Nas, Royce da 5’9, Doja Cat, DaBaby, H.E.R. and Thundercat are among the many other artists who also find themselves in contention for major hardware. Check the list of some highlighted categories below:
Best Gospel Album
2ECOND WIND: READY by Anthony Brown & group therAPy
MY TRIBUTE by Myron Butler
CHOIRMASTER by Ricky Dillard
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PJ by PJ Morton
KIERRA by Kierra Sheard
Best R&B Performance
LIGHTNING & THUNDER by Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend
BLACK PARADE by Beyoncé
ALL I NEED by Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
GOAT HEAD by Brittany Howard
SEE ME by Emily King
Best Traditional R&B Performance
SIT ON DOWN by The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor
WONDER WHAT SHE THINKS OF ME by Chloe X Halle
LET ME GO by Mykal Kilgore
ANYTHING FOR YOU by Ledisi
DISTANCE by Yebba
Best Progressive R&B Album
CHILOMBO by Jhené Aiko
UNGODLY HOUR by Chloe X Halle
FREE NATIONALS by Free Nationals
F* YO FEELINGS by Robert Glasper
IT IS WHAT IT IS by Thundercat
Best R&B Album
HAPPY 2 BE HERE by Ant Clemons
TAKE TIME by Giveon
TO FEEL LOVE/D by Luke James
BIGGER LOVE by John Legend
ALL RISE by Gregory Porter
Best Rap Performance
DEEP REVERENCE by Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle
BOP by DaBaby
WHAT’S POPPIN by Jack Harlow
THE BIGGER PICTURE by Lil Baby
SAVAGE by Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
DIOR by Pop Smoke
Best Melodic Rap Performance
ROCKSTAR by DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
LAUGH NOW, CRY LATER by Drake Featuring Lil Durk
LOCKDOWN by Anderson .Paak
THE BOX by Roddy Ricch
HIGHEST IN THE ROOM by Travis Scott
Best Rap Album
BLACK HABITS by D SMOKE
ALFREDO by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
A WRITTEN TESTIMONY by Jay Electronica
KING’S DISEASE by Nas
THE ALLEGORY by Royce Da 5’9”
Best Reggae Album
UPSIDE DOWN 2020 by Buju Banton
HIGHER PLACE by Skip Marley
IT ALL COMES BACK TO LOVE by Maxi Priest
GOT TO BE TOUGH by Toots & The Maytals
ONE WORLD by The Wailers
A more entertaining precursor for the award show fix comes Sunday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. with The 2020 Soul Train Awards presented by BET. The broadcast begins with a one-hour pre-show beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. Hosting the show for the third time in a row are the duo of Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold, who will also don the caps of co-producers.
Over and out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.