Lil Baby, Pop Smoke, Travis Scott and More Nominated for 2021 Grammy Awards
UPDATE (Jan. 6):
The 2021 Grammy Awards will be postponed from its originally scheduled Jan. 31, 2021 ceremony. According to Rolling Stone, sources confirmed the postponed ceremony is due to the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement released on Jan. 5, the awards show is now scheduled for March 14.
“The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do,” the Recording Academy and CBS, the network broadcasting the show, said in a statement. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show. We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
The coveted Grammy Awards are right around the corner and the nominations for next year's biggest day in music have been announced.
On Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 24), the Recording Academy unveiled the full list of nominees for the 2021 Grammy Awards. Harvey Mason Jr., the chair and interim Recording Academy President/CEO introduced the candidates—alongside a host of artists and celebrities—during a livestream. Hip-hop received plenty of nominations in many categories. However, fans and critics alike were surprised by some of the nominees in categories and lack thereof.
Lil Baby received two nods for his anthemic protest track, "The Bigger Picture," for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. He competes against Big Sean's “Deep Reverence” featuring Nipsey Hussle, DaBaby's “Bop,” Jack Harlow's “What’s Poppin,” Megan Thee Stallion's “Savage” featuring Beyoncé and the late Pop Smoke's “Dior” for Best Rap Performance.
In the Best Rap Song category, Lil Baby is nominated alongside “The Box,” Samuel Gloade and Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Roddy Ricch); “Laugh Now Cry Later,” Durk Banks, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Ron LaTour and Ryan Martinez, songwriters (Drake featuring Lil Durk); “Rockstar,” Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Ross Joseph Portaro IV and Rodrick Moore, songwriters (DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch); and “Savage,” Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe and Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé).
While Lil Baby was nominated twice, fans and critics called out the Grammys for failing to recognize his My Turn album for Best Rap Album or Album of the Year. The album is the only hip-hop LP to be certified two-times platinum this year.
Travis Scott snagged a Best Melodic Rap Performance nomination for "Highest in the Room." He competes against DaBaby's “Rockstar" featuring Roddy Ricch, Drake's “Laugh Now Cry Later" featuring Lil Durk, Anderson .Paak's “Lockdown” and Roddy Ricch's “The Box.”
In addition to DaBaby and Roddy Ricch being nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Melodic Rap Performance, they're up for Record of the Year with their collaborative effort "Rockstar." Beyoncé's “Black Parade,” Black Pumas' “Colors,” Doja Cat's “Say So,” Billie Eilish's “Everything I Wanted,” Dua Lipa's “Don’t Start Now,” Post Malone's “Circles” and Megan Thee Stallion's “Savage” are nominated as well.
Also, 2020 XXL Freshman Chika received a nod for Best New Artist. She's nominated alongside Ingrid Andress, Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Cyrus, D Smoke, Doja Cat, Kaytranada and Megan Thee Stallion.
Within the list of gifted artists, Nas' King’s Disease, Jay Electronica's A Written Testimony, D Smoke's Black Habits, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist's Alfredo, and Royce 5’9”'s The Allegory are all nominated for the Best Rap Album category.
Last year, J. Cole and his Dreamville collective were up for the Best Rap Album award for their album, Revenge of the Dreamers III. Meek Mill's Championships, Tyler, The Creator's Igor, 21 Savage's I Am > I Was and YBN Cordae's The Lost Boy were nominated as well.
The former Odd Future member took home the honor, but not without calling out the Grammy Awards for their voting process. Tyler did not consider Igor to be a rap album.
"I'm half and half on it," Tyler said. "Um, on one side, I'm grateful that what I can make can just be acknowledged in a world like this, but also it sucks that, whenever we, and I mean guys that look like me, do anything that's genre-bending or that's anything, they always put it in a rap or urban category, which is ... and I don't like that 'urban' word. It's just the politically correct way to say the N-Word to me. So when I hear that I'm just like, Why can't we just be in pop?."
He continued: "So I felt like half of me feels like the rap nomination was a backhanded compliment. Like, 'Oh, my little cousin wants to play the game. Let's give him the unplugged controller so he can shut up and feel good about it.' That's what it felt like a bit. But another half of me is very grateful that the art that I made can be acknowledged on a level like this when I don't do the radio stuff. I'm not playing in Target. I'm in a whole different world than what a lot of people here listen to so I'm grateful and like ehh."
The 2021 Grammy Awards, which will be hosted by Trevor Noah, is set to take place on Jan. 31, 2021 on CBS at 8 p.m. EST. Check out the full list of nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards.
2021 Grammy Awards Nominees
Record of the Year
“Black Parade,” Beyoncé
“Colors,” Black Pumas
“Rockstar,” DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Say So,” Doja Cat
“Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish
“Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa
“Circles,” Post Malone
“Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion
Album of the Year
Chilombo, Jhené Aiko
Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition), Black Pumas
Everyday Life, Coldplay
Djesse Vol. 3, Jacob Collier
Women in Music Pt. III, Haim
Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa
Hollywood’s Bleeding, Post Malone
Folklore, Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
“Black Parade,” Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk and Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“The Box,” Samuel Gloade and Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
“Cardigan,” Aaron Dessner and Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
“Circles,” Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post and Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)
“Don’t Start Now,” Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa and Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
“Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“I Can’t Breathe,” Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“If the World Was Ending,” Julia Michaels and JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels)
Best New Artist
Ingrid Andress
Phoebe Bridgers
Chika
Noah Cyrus
D Smoke
Doja Cat
Kaytranada
Megan Thee Stallion
Best Rap Performance
“Deep Reverence,” Big Sean featuring Nipsey Hussle
“Bop,” DaBaby
“What’s Poppin,” Jack Harlow
“The Bigger Picture,” Lil Baby
“Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé
“Dior,” Pop Smoke
Best Melodic Rap Performance
“Rockstar,” DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Laugh Now Cry Later,” Drake featuring Lil Durk
“Lockdown,” Anderson .Paak
“The Box,” Roddy Ricch
“Highest in the Room,” Travis Scott
Best Rap Song
“The Bigger Picture,” Dominique Jones, Noah Pettigrew and Rai’shaun Williams, songwriters (Lil Baby)
“The Box,” Samuel Gloade and Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
“Laugh Now Cry Later,” Durk Banks, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Ron LaTour and Ryan Martinez, songwriters (Drake featuring Lil Durk)
“Rockstar,” Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Ross Joseph Portaro IV and Rodrick Moore, songwriters (DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch)
“Savage,” Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe and Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé)
Best Rap Album
Black Habits, D Smoke
Alfredo, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist
A Written Testimony, Jay Electronica
King’s Disease, Nas
The Allegory, Royce 5’9”
Best R&B Performance
“Lightning & Thunder,” Jhené Aiko featuring John Legend
“Black Parade,” Beyoncé
“All I Need,” Jacob Collier featuring Mahalia and Ty Dolla $ign
“Goat Head,” Brittany Howard
“See Me,” Emily King
Best R&B Song
“Better Than I Imagine,” Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello)
“Black Parade,” Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk and Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“Collide,” Sam Barsh, Stacey Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar and Benedetto Rotondi, songwriters (Tiana Major9 and Earthgang)
“Do It,” Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch and Vincent Van Den Ende, songwriters (Chloe X Halle)
“Slow Down,” Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson and Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley and H.E.R.)
Best Progressive R&B Album
Chilombo, Jhené Aiko
Ungodly Hour, Chloe X Halle
Free Nationals, Free Nationals
F**k Yo Feelings, Robert Glasper
It Is What It Is, Thundercat
Best Remixed Recording
“Do You Ever (Rac Mix),” Rac, Remixer (Phil Good)
“Imaginary Friends (Morgan Page Remix),” Morgan Page, Remixer (Deadmau5)
“Praying for You (Louie Vega Main Remix),” Louie Vega, Remixer (Jasper Street Co.)
“Roses (Imanbek Remix),” Imanbek Zeikenov, Remixer (Saint Jhn)
“Young & Alive (Bazzi Vs. Haywyre Remix),” Haywyre, remixer (Bazzi)
Best Music Video
“Brown Skin Girl,” Beyoncé, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Jenn Nkiru, Video Directors; Lauren Baker, Astrid Edwards, Nathan Scherrer & Erinn Williams, Video Producers
“Life Is Good,” Future featuring Drake, Julien Christian Lutz, Video Director; Harv Glazer, Video Producer
“Lockdown,” Anderson .Paak, Dave Meyers, Video Director; Nathan Scherrer, Video Producer
“Adore You,” Harry Styles, Dave Meyers, Video Director; Nathan Scherrer, Video Producer
“Goliath,” Woodkid, Yoann Lemoine, video director
Best Music Film
Beastie Boys Story, Beastie Boys, Spike Jonze, video director; Amanda Adelson, Jason Baum & Spike Jonze, video producers
Black Is King, Beyoncé
We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, Freestyle Love Supreme, Andrew Fried, Video Director; Andrew Fried, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sarina Roma, Jenny Steingart & Jon Steingart, video producers
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice, Linda Ronstadt, Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, video directors; Michele Farinola & James Keach, video producers
That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, ZZ Top, Sam Dunn, video director; Scot McFadyen, video producer
Best Pop Solo Performance
“Yummy,” Justin Bieber
“Say So,” Doja Cat
“Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish
“Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa
“Watermelon Sugar,” Harry Styles
“Cardigan,” Taylor Swift
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Un Dia (One Day),” J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and Tainy
“Intentions,” Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
“Dynamite,” BTS
“Rain on Me,” Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande
“Exile,” Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“Asas Fechadas,” John Beasley & Maria Mendes, arrangers (Maria Mendes Featuring John Beasley & Orkest Metropole)
“Desert Song,” Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (Säje)
“From This Place,” Alan Broadbent & Pat Metheny, arrangers (Pat Metheny Featuring Meshell Ndegeocello)
“He Won’t Hold You,” Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Rapsody)
“Slow Burn,” Talia Billig, Nic Hard & Becca Stevens, arrangers (Becca Stevens Featuring Jacob Collier, Mark Lettieri, Justin Stanton, Jordan Perlson, Nic Hard, Keita Ogawa, Marcelo Woloski & Nate Werth)
Best Recording Package
Everyday Life, Pilar Zeta, art director (Coldplay)
Funeral, Kyle Goen, art director (Lil Wayne)
Healer, Julian Gross & Hannah Hooper, art directors (Grouplove)
On Circles, Jordan Butcher, art director (Caspian)
Best Dance Recording
"On My Mind," Diplo & Sidepiece
"My High," Disclosure Featuring Aminé & Slowthai
"The Difference," Flume featuring Toro y Moi
"Both of Us," Jayda G
"10%," Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Run to the Father, Cody Carnes
All of My Best Friends, Hillsong Young & Free
Holy Water, We The Kingdom
Citizen of Heaven, Tauren Wells
Jesus Is King, Kanye West
Best Christian Contemporary Music Performance/Song
“The Blessing (Live),” Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship (Songwriters: Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Carnes and Steven Furtick)
“Sunday Morning,” Lecrae Featuring Kirk Franklin (Songwriters: Denisia Andrews, Jones Terrence Antonio, Saint Bodhi, Brittany Coney, Kirk Franklin, Lasanna Harris, Shama Joseph, Stuart Lowery, Lecrae Moore and Nathanael Saint-Fleur)
“Holy Water,” We The Kingdom
“Famous For (I Believe),” Tauren Wells featuring Jenn Johnson
“There Was Jesus,” Zach Williams and Dolly Parton (Songwriters: Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams)
Best Gospel Performance/Song
“Wonderful Is Your Name,” Melvin Crispell III
“Release (Live),” Ricky Dillard Featuring Tiff Joy (Songwriter: David Frazier)
“Come Together,” Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Presents: The Good News (Songwriters: Lashawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Lecrae Moore and Jazz Nixon)
“Won’t Let Go,” Travis Greene (Songwriter: Travis Greene)
“Movin’ On,” Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music (Songwriters: Darryl L. Howell, Jonathan Caleb McReynolds, Kortney Jamaal Pollard and Terrell Demetrius Wilson)
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff
Dan Auerbach
Dave Cobb
Flying Lotus
Andrew Watt
See the full list of 2021 Grammy Award nominees here.
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