The 64th Annual Grammy Award Celebration Rap Category Predictions

The 64th annual Grammy Awards took place in Las Vegas on April 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Jon Batiste took home five awards, some of the most prestigious awards including Album of the year with “We Are”. Silk Sonic, the R&B duo of Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars took home four awards including record of the year with “Leave The Door Open”. Olivia Rodrigo took home three awards, breaking one in the process, including best new artist, best solo pop performance, and best vocal pop album with “Sour”.

Trevor Noah of The Daily Show hosted this year’s event as he did for the last Grammys. There was a range of artists performing throughout the night including Lil Nas X, BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Brandi Carlile, Jack Harlow, and Brothers Osborne. The Grammy Awards included 86 categories this year.

Kanye West was nominated for five awards including best Rap Song and best Melodic Rap Performance of the Year. With recent online controversy due to his divorce and new boyfriend of Kim Kardashian, West, now Ye,was barred from performing. 

“Kanye has a right to criticize his ex because she is abusing her power of parental custody,” says Frank McGuigan, a Radio and Television production major.

“Kanye needs his meds and he should definitely get back on them,” says Dani Bowling. With a decorated history at the awards, Ye has racked up 75 nominations with 22 wins over his career.

Other acts were up for their first awards in this category such as Las Vegas native Baby Keem. He’s up for two awards in the category including Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “Family Ties” with his cousin Kendrick Lamar, winning best Rap Performance. 

There were a number of female artists up for awards in three categories such as the Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Melodic Rap Performance. Saweetie and Doja Cat were nominated for Best Rap Song with “Best Friend”, Doja Cat was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance with “Need to Know”.

Megan Thee Stallion was also nominated for an award with “Thot S***” for Best Rap Performance. Last year she took home the award with Beyonce for their “Savage Remix”. Cardi B, a huge artist in the industry, was also nominated for Best Rap Performance with “Up”. She has had nine nominations in the past with a win for Best Rap Album in 2019 becoming the first solo, not only first female recording artist to win the award.

Tyler, the Creator started out with the Odd Future Collective and has become one of the most diverse artists in the country. From his early days with “Goblin” to “Cherry Bomb”, to his most recent albums with “IGOR”, and “Call Me If You Get Lost” you can listen to the growth of him artistically over the years.

 He was nominated for “Flower Boy” in 2018 for Best Rap Album but didn’t get his first win till “IGOR” in 2020. He was nominated for two awards this year for Best Melodic Rap Performance with “WusYaName”, and Best Rap Album for “Call Me If You Get Lost”. “ The album is so blissful if you want to get up and dance, and the beats, melodies, and lyrics get me ready for summer,” says Madison Dodge, a Liberal Arts major. 

The predictions for the awards go as followed: 

Best Rap Performance 

Dani picked “Thot S***” by Megan Thee Stallion, Frank picked “Family Ties” by Baby Keem, and Madison chose “My Life” by J Cole.

– Winner:Family Ties (Baby Keem/ Kendrick Lamarr)

Best Melodic Rap Performance

Dani picked “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X, Frank picked “WusYaName” by Tyler, The Creator and so did Madison.

– Winner: Hurricane (Kanye West)

Best Rap Song

Dani picked “My Life” by J Cole along with Madison, and Frank chose “Family Ties”
by Baby Keem.

– Winner: Jail (Kanye West)

Best Rap Album

Dani and Frank both picked Donda by Kanye West with Madison choosing “Call Me If You Get Lost” by Tyler, the Creator.

–Winner: Call Me If You Get Lost (Tyler, The Creator)