R&B

Best R&B Performance

“Get You” (Daniel Caesar featuring Kali Uchis)

“Distraction” (Kehlani)

“High” (Ledisi)

“That’s What I Like” (Bruno Mars)

“The Weekend” (SZA)

Notable Snub: “Location” (Khalid)

Reactions: All in all, a well-rounded group of nominees. Particularly happy to see newcomer Daniel Caesar nominated.  Unfortunately, the biggest miss is not nominating Khalid for “Location,” one of the biggest R&B hits of 2017.

Best Traditional R&B Performance

“Laugh and Move On” (The Baylor Project)

“Redbone” (Childish Gambino)

“What I’m Feelin’” (Anthony Hamilton featuring The Hamiltones)

“All the Way” (Ledisi)

“Still” (Mali Music)

Notable Snub: Charlie Wilson

Reactions: All in all, like the Best R&B Performance nominees, this is a well-rounded group.  Still, would’ve been nice to nominate Uncle Charlie Wilson for, say, “Smile” featuring Robin Thicke. Personally, I’m unfamiliar with The Baylor Project.

Best R&B Song

“First Began” (PJ Morton)

“Location” (Khalid)

“Redbone” (Childish Gambino)

“Supermodel” (SZA)

“That’s What I Like” (Bruno Mars)

Notable Snub: None

Reaction: The only ‘odd man out’ on this list is PJ Morton (“First Began”), an artist and song few know about. Morton is most associated with his work with Maroon 5 at this point.

Best Urban Contemporary Album

Free 6LACK (6LACK)

“Awaken, My Love!” (Childish Gambino)

American Teen (Khalid)

Ctrl (SZA)

Starboy (The Weeknd)

Notable Snub: None

Reaction: Another well-rounded R&B category. Didn’t see 6LACK earning a nomination.  The other four are no surprise in the least.

Best R&B Album

Freudian (Daniel Caesar)

Let Love Rule (Ledisi)

24K Magic (Bruno Mars)

Gumbo (PJ Morton)

Feel the Real (Musiq Soulchild)

Notable Snub: Charlie Wilson, In it To Win It

Reaction: For the first time in years, the R&B field as-a-whole feels more reflective of the times.  Best R&B Album isn’t quite as prestigious as it once was when R&B was “booming,” but even this category feels younger and more contemporary.  Maybe that’s why Charlie Wilson misses the nod, even if he can fit in with the younger cats.  Again, kudos for nominating Daniel Caesar, while giving a nod to the up-and-coming PJ Morton is a nice look as well.