The Grammy red carpet looks are sure to be amazing and the stage will surely be on fire with this year’s list of performers, but what about the other Grammy moments? What’s going to have Black Twitter talking? Who’s going to be in the memes? We’ve got our eyes peeled to see what happens behind the podium and in the envelopes.
Will Cardi B Win a Grammy?
Love her or hate her, Cardi B has made history in the music industry over the past year. The self-proclaimed “regular, degular, shmegular girl from the Bronx” has surpassed Billboard records set by living legends like Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé. Her infectious hit Bodak Yellow has two Grammy nominations—Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. She’s going head to head with hip hop heavy weights like Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar. She’ll also be hitting the stage to perform. Not bad for someone who doesn’t even have an album out yet.
#MeToo and the Grammys
Over the past several months, Tarana Burke’s #MeToo movement has toppled the careers of numerous men in Hollywood and media who have been accused of sexual misconduct. At the Golden Globes, women wore all black and people wore #TimesUp pins to show solidarity with the cause. Oprah’s rousing speech name checked #MeToo. How will #MeToo manifest at the Grammys?
A Jay-Z and Beyoncé Grammy Speech
This year’s Grammys will be Beyoncé’s first award show appearance since giving birth to twins last year. The platinum-selling singer is nominated in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category for her contributions on “Family Feud” from Jay-Z’s 4:44 album. The mature, vulnerable album is largely seen as a response (and apology) to Beyoncé after the release of her Grammy-award winning Lemonade album. A collaborative speech if the song wins would be a fitting and public way to show the strength of their marriage, Besides, nobody wins when the family feuds.
What will Dave Chappelle Say?
Funny man Dave Chappelle is listed as a presenter for the 2018 Grammys. The award-winning comedian has been back in the spotlight as of late following a national tour and multiple stand-up comedy specials on Netflix. Chappelle is known for his quick wit and candor. There’s no telling what will
The Rap Battle
The rap categories for this year’s Grammys are very competitive. Veterans and newbies are going toe to toe in several categories, Rapsody is the only woman in the mix for Rap Album of the Year, and Cardi B is up against her fiancé for Best Rap Performance. Jay-Z’s 4:44 and Kendrick Lamar’s Damn are both nominated for Album of the Year. (Childish Gambino’s Awaken, My Love! is also nominated, but it is not a hip hop album.) Could this be the year a hip hop album wins the coveted Album of the Year top prize? It’s only been done twice before, Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1999 and Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2004.