The 2023 Grammy Awards nominations have been announced. As per usual, notable absentees have rattled social media. We scrutinize songs and albums that we thought should have been in the pecking order, at least.
Brent Faiyaz – WASTELAND
For Brent, this was a critical record having withstood a harrowing period during the pandemic with a flurry of highlights. Whether it was his potent traditional R&B sound on 2020’s Fuck The World, or the vivacious singles run he went on with “Dead Man Walking”, “Gravity” feat. Tyler, The Creator, “Show U Off”, to the Pharrell-produced “Wasting Time” with Champagne Papi, Drake. As an independent act, Brent has been able to muster unbridled success commercially, critically in the eyes of the public and press, and still deliver authentic and unwavering quality music. His album WASTELAND was a cinematic album that retained sprinkles of traditional albums. Thoughtful enough in his album curation through the inclusion of interludes & skits, the conviction of Brent when he sings, and all-round arrangement of the project was worthy of a Best R&B Album, or Best R&B Performance.
The Game – DRILLMATIC Heart vs. Mind
Compton’s Game has been shrouded in controversy for his polarizing takes. Profiled for his irrational and an attention-seeking rapper, his performance as a recording artist is unquestionable. On DRILLMATIC Heart vs. Mind, the record was characterized by lush instrumentals tailored by 12-time Grammy nominee Hit-Boy & the multi-hyphenate, Ye. Despite having a tainted image, and a pulverized reputation due to his spited nature of taking digs at rappers and his fashioned rap that includes making edgy references to sensitive situations, The Game put forth his best foot with the album. Lining up feel-good tunes on “Nikki Beach”, scathing lyrics on single “Eazy”, as well as doing a DJ Khaled better than DJ Khaled (assembling perfect features), the album should be contending on a rap category.
Nicki Minaj
The biggest loser of the nomination naming has to be Oneeka. Nicki who has had a stellar year with poppy anthems such as the MC Hammer sampling “Super Freaky Girls” to the hypnotic melodic cut “Do We Have A Problem?” feat. Lil Baby, Nicki might just have been robbed off he first ever Grammy Award. Seeing her arch nemesis Latto bag two solid nominations will rub salt in her wounds inevitably.
Vince Staples – Ramona Broke My Heart
Long Beach native Vince Staples is too busy in his hide-out playing Call Of Duty to worry about receiving a Grammy nod. However in a year he thrilled fans at Coachella’s highly anticipated return, being championed by corporate America starring in big budget campaigns by Converse, Acura, NBA, and Beats By Dre to mention a few – knowing Vince, he is simply happy to be a musician out of the hood, as he develops his Netflix series coming soon.
Joey Bada$$ – 2000
In his first full record LP following 2017’s pop-tinged ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, Bada$$ has been too busy making numerous cameos and plying his trade in other talents. Jozif, a decorated recording and performing artist, model and actor has been knee-deep in the acting scene starring in Mr. Robot, Two Distant Strangers, Power Book 3: Raising Kanan, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Boomerang just to mention some of his long list of credits. However, back to dropping full-length projects, a follow up to his famous 1999 effort was the unprecedented direction. On 2000, he is already glittered in fame and fortune, hence his learnings throughout his journey to the top being the focal point to the smooth, showy, and earworm album that incorporates lush jazz and hip hop.
Tink – Pillow Talk
Chicago native Tink has been one of the most consistent Hip Hop R&B songstresses. On Pillow Talk she exercises her dreamy songwriting, saccharine tone, and evocative records. Executive produced by one of R&B’s modern mavens, Hitmaka, Tink left it all to bear in crispy R&B fashion. Her bedroom notes were seductive, and her story-telling was intimate and brighter than ever.
Ari Lennox – Pressure
Ari is the mirror of neo R&B & Soul. Her anthem “Pressure” was a sassy pop ballad that bolstered her to the Billboard Hot 100 charts and roused fans even outside of her R&B realm. “Pressure” uplifted her from the Dreamville banner, and propelled her up for evergreen success.
Freddie Gibbs – $oul $old $eparately
When Gibbs was nominated for the 2021 Grammy Awards for his classical rap offering Alfredo, Gibbs had arrived. Previously in the rap fray for over ten years consistently dropping street-chiseled rap albums that told tales of his dangerous past before music, Gibbs’ timing was due Grammy notoriety. In perhaps his most assured and refined body of work to date, $$$ is a conceptual album where Gibbs forecasts his ability proficiency and dexterity in multiple facets of rap; composing, lyricism, delivery, production, cohesion, and transitions. Not many artists can present a tight-knit track list from end to end and Gibbs is one of the last of a dying breed.
Summer Walker – Still Over It
Summer airing out her baby’s father was one of the most therapeutic moments in music in late 2021 and throughout this year. A cathartic album, the album epitomized pain, Summer celebrated freedom and autonomy as well as bash patriarchy in song. Going through a public spat with her famous baby father, London on Da Track, Summer became a martyr of single motherhood disseminating unwanted feelings as she purged in front of the world.
