"Holy fuck. Did the Grammy’s just not fuck up Rap album of year?"
Nominees include:
Gibbs and Alc - Alfredo Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony Nas - Kings Disease Royce - The Allegory D Smoke - Black Habits
Like, the actually a respectable list. It includes my likely album of the year and three others that will probably end up in my top 10 to 20. Haven’t heard D Smoke, but I’ve heard decent things about it.
1. "Was gonna make this same exact post earlier" In response to Reply # 0
But I didn't want it to look like I give a fuck about rap's representation at the Grammy's haha
This has to be the least mainstream set of albums nominated for rap AOTY ever. Prob partially due to COVID stopping a lot of the bigger acts from dropping this year since they can't tour anything (Drake, Kendrick, Cole to name a few) but hey, maybe it's a step in the right direction.
I'd rank em: Alfredo King's Disease Black Habits The Allegory A Written Testimony
In other news, I *just* realized Alfredo = Al(chemist) + Fred(die Gibbs).
16. "Bro talent level is off the charts" In response to Reply # 5
I like how hands on he is with production, plays multiple instruments and then the Tiny Desk joint on top of the Rhythm+Flow journey and finale pretty much made me a lifetime fan. The sincerity really helps. Dude's not just talking but really working with the youth in one of the most impactful ways possible. Can't do nothin but respect it.
11. "I'm a huge Kendrick fan" In response to Reply # 9
So it isn't a knock at the style at all.
I just have a hard time when rappers sound like other rappers and seem to be okay with it. See my many rants about YOD and AB. On that note, if D Smoke was white he'd be way bigger than he is and absolutely beloved by a few around here...but I'm off the subject.
And like those two, I feel D sort of leaned into it. I could be wrong, but it sounds like it. Like, there's no way he released Black Habits not knowing who and what it would be compared to.
I want to like it, because people I respect like it a lot. But I've tried multiple times and can't get through it. Too distracting.
21. "Listened to it. Thought it was pretty good" In response to Reply # 2
Certainly don't have a problem with it getting a nomination.
I definitely got some GKMC vibes from it, but I chalk that up to TDE affiliation. Regardless, D Smoke is pretty talented lyricist and it was a very interesting album.
And as said above, seeing it get nominated definitely inspired me to listen it. So, that's good.
23. "Word. Dude is a very thoughtful songwriter." In response to Reply # 21
>I definitely got some GKMC vibes from it, but I chalk that up >to TDE affiliation. Regardless, D Smoke is pretty talented >lyricist and it was a very interesting album.
That's wassup. I can't really address folks who lament over his voice sounding like Kendrick but then have no comment on the actual content of his songs. That's exactly why I don't think he sounds like Kendrick. I'm a Kendrick fan myself, and I honestly think D Smoke sounds... more intelligent than Kendrick. They're two thoughtful lyricists who sometimes have a similar cadence, but after listening to Black Habits and his previous projects, Kendrick actually sounds like the little brother between the two. Just my take tho. *shrugs*
15. "The trappers are saying Lil' Baby got snubbed." In response to Reply # 0
Like, "Aww, this your first time having an artist you like not to get nominated for a Grammy? That's so cute."
On this list, I'd like to see Gibbs get it. I hope to one day see Big Boi get one solo. I feel like his first 2 were definitely worthy of nomination, if not winning.
17. "Conway and Run the Jewels are far better than D Smoke's album." In response to Reply # 0
...but still there's more positive than negative from the Grammy's this year IMO. It's never gonna be perfect, but it's better than recent years.
My favorite thing over the last couple days has been people complaining about no noms for people like Roddy Rich or Lil' Baby...and at least whoever is on the committee is trying to go more in the lane of sales doesn't = best.
24. "RTJ4 & 7Xdown8Xup are my favorite 2020 ‘rap’ albums" In response to Reply # 0
Not sure what all the congratulations for the academy is all about
Alfredo is an album I go back to...so they got 1 right...I guess
Jay E’s album only got nominated because Jay Z is on it He’s like the Grammy’s rap version of the beatles or Dylan If he releases a project it gets nominated. That album wasn’t great.
Neither was Nas’s album
Would rather other artists get some placement with a nom
Ima check D Smoke off the strength of some of the suggestions in here
Otherwise, these noms aren’t really moving the needle IRT the grammy’s knowing authentic quality rap music
...but at least they didn’t nominate Em...that is progress.
31. "the picks arent bad" In response to Reply # 0
to me the d smoke isnt on the same level and the jay elec is a bit of a stretch as well. there are definitely some albums i think deserved the nomination more than some of these but overall im not mad at it.
pretty surprised to see royce on there, probably my fav of the 5.
i definitely think nas is going to win it.
im guessing adding that melodic rap category helped remove some of those mainstream albums people would complain about getting nominated as rap.
32. "I know I'm in the minority around here but" In response to Reply # 0
that Jay Elect album is by far the best album here.
It isn't his best album this year, and probably isn't in my top ten but its definitely the best release here.
I revisited Nas...half great half terrible.
I revisited Gibbs...that shit is boring. Its not even a top 5 Gibbs release. Alc is nice but crazy over-rated. This shit is flat as hell.
I've tried Royce and D-smoke a few times...can't do either.
Jay E is easily the winner here to me.
*shrugs*
And the more I thought about it, this list is probably more legit simply because the usual suspects didn't release anything this year. They can't force an Eminem album on us if he doesn't drop something, for instance.
33. "but em did drop one" In response to Reply # 32
>And the more I thought about it, this list is probably more >legit simply because the usual suspects didn't release >anything this year. They can't force an Eminem album on us if >he doesn't drop something, for instance. > >
i do think you have a point though. there werent many big releases.
the jay elec gets more hate than it deserves. my ranking for these would be
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