There are a few truths when it comes to Best Rap Album at the Grammys. If Kanye West or Eminem are nominated, they are going to win, unless Macklemore comes along. This year neither artist is there; instead there is Drake who won in 2013 with Take Care and several artists who have been nominated a few times and never received the award. Shockingly the award was only started in 1995, which has contributed to the rap community's skepticism towards the Grammys. This year the decks seemed pretty stacked in the favor of Kendrick Lamar against the likes of Drake, Dr. Dre, Nicki Minaj and J. Cole, but an upset could potentially be in the cards.
Nominees:
J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Dr. Dre - Compton
Drake - If You're Reading This Its Too Late
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint
Who Should Win: Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
It is doubtful the voters will appreciate J. Cole's storytelling and if they do dive into the lyrics, it would be for Kendrick. Nicki & Drake are a bit too pop against J. Cole, Dr. Dre and Kendrick especially.
This isn't really close in actuality. Dr. Dre's Compton was created for Straight Outta Compton and is too full of features to be considered a Dre solo effort. Drake's album was reportedly considered just a mixtape to get out of his record deal.
Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly was widely considered to be the best album of the year. Kendrick's magnum opus was the right album at the right album, highlighting rising racial tensions across the country, using his own experience as a young man from inner city Compton. He incorporated jazz, funk, soul and disco into his music and wrote some of the most thoughtful and smart lyrics of the year. It is his award to lose.
Who Will Win: Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
It is hard to imagine Kendrick Lamar not winning here. Drake does have a history of winning, but this album isn't even his most complete effort with Views From The 6 incoming. Nicki Minaj's album is a bit too pop and scattered to compete against the competition.
The only thing standing in the way of Kendrick could be the legacy factor of Dr. Dre. He was usurped by his disciple Eminem in 2001 when The Marshall Mathers LP beat out Dre's 2001. They could try and give Dre his due with this award, but it just feels like the stars have aligned for Kendrick.
© 2024 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
