The 2018 Grammy Nominations is a #BlackExcellence Takeover
The 2018 Grammys nominations are in and it looks like last year’s #GrammysSoWhite campaign made a major mark.
The annual awards show that honors the industry’s top musicians has released the most diverse list of nominees ever; with hip hop’s influence all over the show’s top honors.
The Big 4 categories (Album of The Year, Song of The Year, Record of The Year, and Best New Artist) delivered big shockers, with only two of the 20 nominees in those categories falling outside of hip hop’s influence. It’s the first time ever that all of the artists up for Record of The Year are POC and the first time in a decade that four of the five Album of The Year contenders are minorities.
Childish Gambino, Jay Z, and Kendrick Lamar are up for Record of The Year for their singles “Redbone”; “The Story of OJ,” and “Humble,” with Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” and Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” rounding out the list.
Childish Gambino, Jay Z, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar will battle it out again for the Album of The Year title.
Lil Uzi Vert, Khalid, and SZA are all up for Best New Artist, against Alessia Cara and Julia Michaels.
Jay Z, Bruno Mars, and Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, Logic & Alessia Cara all up for Song of the Year.
Even Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart are in on the action, each earning a nomination for Best Comedy Album.
When it comes to honoring music made for movies, Hidden Figures, The Album is up for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media as well as Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media. Common’s “Stand Up For Something featuring Andra Day is vying for Best Song Written For Visual Media.
All in all, Jay-Z leads the pack with eight nominations for his album, 4:44 marking the first time Hov is up for Album of The Year. He also nabbed noms for Record of The Year and Song of The Year for “4:44” and “The Story Of O.J.” He’s also a contender for Best Rap Album, Best Rap/Sung Performance and Best Music Video.
Kendrick Lamar is on his tail with seven nominations, Bruno Mars has six, and Childish Gambino, Khalid, SZA and No I.D. nabbed five noms each.
It’s gonna be a big night for hip hop when the Grammys take NYC on January 28.
