Why Macklemore & Ryan Lewis should, but probably won't, win this Grammy.
The Grammy for Best Rap Album:
Okay, so I'm gonna come out and say it. In my humble opinion (which often means I'm probably not being very humble about it) I think J. Cole - Born Sinner was the best Rap Album of 2013. Hands down, if he was nominated in this category , he would have been my first choice. Lyrically and as a producer, he is stepping up his game big time and needs to step out of Jay Z and Kanye's shadow.
Great, now that that's off my chest and I've said my piece let me get on with it and forget about the fact that they snubbed my man for the more popular but more inferior albums of Jay Z and Kanye. (Politics man!)
Eminem - He released an interesting album. And what I observed from his album was intriguing. Eminem seems to have almost made peace with who he is. For listening fans this is a good and a bad thing. It's good because he is now writing and rapping better than I have ever heard him rap. But hear is the catch, he seems to have run out of ideas and doesn't know where to go next. I guess if you have insulted everyone's mother including your own there is not much else you can say to shock people. Calling the album "Marshall Mather's 2" kind of confirms that theory. While listening to the album you get the feeling that he is rhyming to be rhyming and the songs aren't actually going anywhere.
Kanye West - Sadly, like the saying goes "If you have nothing nice to say..." Wait, him and Kim have a really cute kid. Kanye is a true artist though and he is allowed a dud every now and again.
Jay Z - He had a Brilliant marketing campaign that literally changed how record sales are calculated. However, this does not a good album make. Great production by Timberland, but there were few note worthy songs on the album and the lyrics sounded lazy and rushed.
Drake - I like this album and I've listen to it a lot of times. But Drake's previous albums are actually better in my opinion. And the money talk is getting played out. Yes, he is rich, yes he gets the women...and?? Besides the song Too Much, Drake doesn't get any deeper on this record. He is still someone to watch for at the Grammy's.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - I think Maclemore & Ryan Lewis should win the Best Rap Album of 2013, but they probably won't. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally rooting for them!
I'm all for the independents. Dynisty Entertainment is an indie label too. So for me seeing an indie label that's not backed by majors performing at this level of art is always inspiring. They are the underdog's in this category for Best Rap Album. And I do love to cheer for the underdog. Their album really pushed the envelop of what a rap album should talk about.
They even have a song that blatantly disses Jimmie Iovine called Jimmie Iovine. Eish...Not looking to make friends with the big guns, but that makes them even cooler.
Apparently he doesn't have any hard feelings and would even appear in their video but we'll see about that. Mr Iovine seems like the type that can hit back in other ways.
Songs against consumerism and fighting for gay rights are pretty radical in the hip hop game. I take my hat off to them for having the guts to do that.
And the Winner is...
Kendrick Lamar - His album is different and yet the same. So it is not to far removed to what people are used to. Not my favourite rap album of 2013. However, the buzz he has created and his unique voice that sounds like but isn't Andre 3000, has caused huge waves in the rap game. Even at SXSW 2012 he was causing quite a stir and the industry taste makers were loving him and couldn't stop singing his praises.
I hope I'm wrong but the Industry is still very much a popularity contest. And Kendrick Lamar is more popular than Macklemore & Ryan Lewis therefore Kendrick will probably walk away with the award for Best Rap Album. For the record, I say again, I hope I am wrong. Good luck to all the Nominees!
Question:
Who do you think should win the Grammy for Best Rap Album? Leave a comment below.