It’s that time of year again.
The space between the announcement of the Grammy nominations and the February award show are always an eventful, debate-filled time, especially in Hip-Hop. Rappers have a very complicated relationship with the Grammys, and for good reason: consider the fact that guys like Nas, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and more have never been awarded music’s biggest prize, and some of the great, defining albums of the genre have been wholly overlooked. Still, it’s Hip-Hop’s competitive nature that brings us back to scrutinizing each Rap and R&B category every year, and here are the 2016 nominations.
We’ll be updating this post as CBS continues to announce the nominees for each category.
Album of the Year
Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
Chris Stapleton, Traveler
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness
Song of the Year
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Wiz Kahifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Record of the Year
D’Angelo and the Vanguard, “Really Love”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel my Face”
Best New Artist
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor
Best urban contemporary album: “Ego Death,” The Internet; “You Should Be Here,” Kehlani; “Blood,” Lianne La Havas; “Wildheart,” Miguel; “Beauty Behind the Madness,” The Weeknd.
Best R&B album: “Coming Home,” Leon Bridges; “Black Messiah,” D’Angelo and The Vanguard; “Cheers to the Fall,” Andra Day; “Reality Show,” Jazmine Sullivan; “Forever Charlie,” Charlie Wilson.
Best rap album: “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” J. Cole; “Compton,” Dr. Dre; “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” Drake; “To Pimp a Butterfly,” Kendrick Lamar; “The Pinkprint,” Nicki Minaj.
Best Pop Solo Performance
“Heartbeat Song,” Kelly Clarkson
“Love Me Like You Do,” Ellie Goulding
“Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift
“Can’t Feel My Face,” The Weeknd
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Ship To Wreck,” Florence + The Machine
“Sugar,” Maroon 5
“Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
“Bad Blood,” Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar
“See You Again,” Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
