Hip‑Hop Takes The Grammys by Storm
New York City is buzzing as the biggest night in music approaches: the Grammy Awards. This year, both Jay‑Z and Kendrick Lamar are up for the crown, sparking a media frenzy that’s almost too hot to handle.
Why Hip‑Hop Is in the Hot Seat
Since 2017, rap has eclipsed rock as America’s favorite musical voice. Yet, the odds of a hip‑hop album snagging Album of the Year still lean heavily against the genre.
“Hip‑hop and the broader spectrum of black music have been pulse‑checking the country for a while now,” says Ross Scarano, Billboard’s VP of content. “This year feels like the right time to flip the script—Kendrick and Jay‑Z are the newbies to aim for that big win.”
Historical Context: Only Two Victories in 60 Years
- Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1999)
- Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2004)
Kendrick, who dropped the critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly in 2016, missed out last time. This year he’s back with Damn for the coveted category and also pushes Humble for Record of the Year.
Jay‑Z’s 4:44: A Raw Confessional
At 44, Jay‑Z’s latest album, 4:44, dives deep into infidelity and introspection—a reversal from his own past success with Mastermind. “Getting it on the record like that, it mirrors a year where many men get called out,” Scarano notes.
He’s come into Sunday’s ceremony with eight nominations, followed only by Kendrick (7), Bruno Mars (6), and Donald Glover’s alter ego, Childish Gambino (5).
Out‑of‑the‑Box Nominees
Alas, Ed Sheeran was snubbed in the Album, Song, and Record of the Year categories, a shrug that left Lord Lorde and the Latin smash Despacito as the only serious contenders.
The Show That Shaped Careers
Beyond the awards, the live broadcast serves as a career spotlight—risings and falls alike. Performers this season include Miley Cyrus, Elton John, U2, Sting, Kesha, Rihanna, Sam Smith, SZA, and Broadway legend Ben Platt.
In the end, whether the Grammys’ll honor hip‑hop with a long‑awaited trophy remains to be seen. One thing’s certain, though: this year’s event is already a cultural blockbuster, set to be remembered for years to come.
