On February 4th, we will all be locked into this year’s Grammy Awards to see which artists will take home the coveted award. It’s one of the biggest nights in music, most artists feel like once you’re nominated for a Grammy they’ve officially made it. Over the years, the Grammy’s have undergone a transformative journey towards inclusivity and recognition of diverse genres. While the Grammys have long been a symbol of excellence in the music industry, it’s essential to acknowledge the historical challenges faced by Black artists and the underrepresentation of certain categories, notably R&B and Rap. 

In the early years, the Grammys struggled to fully embrace the richness of Black musical contributions, with systemic biases impacting nominations and wins. The omission of critical categories like R&B and Rap from the televised segments further underscored the disparities faced by artists within these genres. However, the music industry, artists and audiences alike have advocated for change. It’s worth noting that there has been a considerable shift in the Grammys’ approach, reflecting a commitment to fair representation. Acknowledging that Black artists have significantly shaped the musical landscape, the Grammys have been working over the past years to amplify diverse voices, too. Recent years have seen more spotlight on the R&B and Rap categories, with performances and wins taking center stage during the main broadcast.

In recent years, the Grammys have undergone category changes, notably in the “Urban” category. The Best Rap/Sung Performance has evolved into the Best Melodic Rap Performance, aiming to embrace emerging hybrid trends in the genre. This category now recognizes solo artists and collaborations featuring elements of R&B, rock, country, electronic music, and more. Notably, the Grammys introduced a new category this year, the Best African Music Performance. Harvey Mason Jr.—CEO of the Recording Academy—expressed excitement about this addition, citing recent visits to Africa and a deep appreciation for the diverse music he encountered. 

Amid these changes, anticipation surrounds this year’s nominations, celebrating both first-time nominees and returning favorites. Explore their nominated categories and uncover facts you might not have known below:

Davido 

Grammy Nominations: Best Global Music Performance “Feel”, Best African Music Performance “Unavailable”, Best Global Music Album Timeless

Securing his first three Grammy nominations after a remarkable 12-year journey in the industry, he stands out in the new Best African Music Performance category. Additionally, being recognized as one of Apple Music’s most prominent Nigerian artists adds another layer of achievement to his impressive musical career.

Tyla

Grammy Nomination: Best African Music Performance “Water”

Tyla achieved her first Top 10 hit in the United States with the summer single “Water”, which not only marked a significant milestone but also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance. Despite not having released any album or EP to date, anticipation is building as she gears up to unveil her debut album, TYLA, scheduled for release in March.

Victoria Monét

Grammy Nominations: Record of the Year “On My Mama”, Best R&B Song “On My Mama”, Best New Artist, Best R&B Performance “How Does It Make You Feel”, Best Traditional R&B Performance “Hollywood”, Best R&B Album Jaguar II, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Jaguar II.

Beginning her journey as a songwriter under the mentorship of Rodney Jerkins, Victoria Monet has evolved into a prolific collaborator, working with artists such as Ariana Grande, Brandy, Nas, and others, showcasing her strong pen game. While she has previously released multiple EPs, it’s her recent debut album, Jaguar II, that has captivated audiences, earning her a remarkable seven Grammy nominations—making her the second most nominated artist this year. Adding to the celebration, her daughter secures a Grammy nomination for a featured song, becoming the youngest Grammy nominee in history.

Drake

Grammy Nominations: Best Rap Performance “Rich Flex”, Best Rap Song “Rich Flex”, Best Melodic Rap Performance “Spin Bout U”, Best Rap Album “Her Loss”

Having voiced criticism against the Recording Academy previously, Drake opted not to submit his recent albums for the Grammys. However, ‘Her Loss’ and other tracks from the project have been submitted for consideration in the upcoming show. His most recent Grammy win was last year for a featured song titled “Wait for U,” following his 2019 victory for Best Rap Song.

SZA

Grammy Nominations: Album of the Year S.O.S., Best Progressive R&B Album S.O.S., Record of the Year “Kill Bill”, Song of the Year “Kill Bill”, Best R&B Performance “Kill Bill”, Best Traditional R&B Performance “Love Language”, Best R&B Song “Snooze”, Best Melodic Rap Performance “Low”, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance “Ghost in the Machine”

With an impressive nine nominations, SZA has emerged as a prominent figure at this year’s Grammys. Her initial nomination came in 2018, and the victory eventually arrived in 2022, notably with her feature on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More.” Should she secure a win this year, it would mark her first win as a solo artists in any category.

Coco Jones

Grammy Nominations: Best R&B Performance “ICU”, Best New Artist, Best R&B Song “ICU”, Best R&B Album What I Didn’t Tell You(Deluxe), Best Traditional R&B Performance “Simple”

Recognized for her portrayal in Disney’s “Let it Shine” and her recent role as Hilary in the Bel-Air Peacock series, she earned her first five Grammy nominations. Remarkably, these accolades stem from the release of her EP What I Didn’t Tell You. Who knows what Coco will accomplish once her debut album is released?

Burna Boy

Grammy Nominations: Best Melodic Rap Performance “Sittin on Top of the World”, Best African Music Performance “City Boys”, Best Global Music Performance “Alone”, Best Global Music Album I Told Them…

Burna Boy’s upcoming performance at this year’s Grammys is a historic moment not only for the artist himself but for the entire Nigerian music industry. With an impressive four Grammy nominations, Burna Boy stands as the first Nigerian artist to achieve such recognition five years in a row, from 2019 to 2023. This milestone not only speaks to his consistent excellence but also cements his status as a trailblazer in the global music scene. Burna Boy now holds the record for the Nigerian artist with the most Grammy nominations in history.

Ayra Starr

Grammy Nominations: Best African Music Performance “Rush”

Ayra Starr secures her first-ever Grammy nomination in a newly introduced category, hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, for her song “Rush.”

Metro Boomin

Grammy Nominations: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Best Rap Album Heroes & Villians

You know how the saying goes, “If young Metro don’t trust you….” known for collaborating with many of today’s favorite artists, faces a distinctive Grammy experience this year. He earns nominations in two categories, showcasing his versatility as both Producer of the Year and Best Rap Album. Notably, he was also part of Coldplay’s album “Music of the Spheres,” contributing to his previous Grammy nomination last year.

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