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Best Urban Contemporary Album:

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Other likely nominees: Rihanna, Anti 

Beyoncé won’t lose this category again – not this year.  That said, Rihanna’s Anti gives her a run for her money. Rihanna was victorious in this same category for Unapologetic.

Best R&B Album:

Maxwell, blackSUMMER’Snight  

Other likely nominees: Anthony Hamilton, What I’m Feelin’

If we want to be fair based upon albums that have already arrived, Anthony Hamilton’s brilliant What I’m Feelin’ would be the pick.  The thing is, Maxwell is making his return after a seven-year hiatus.  The last time Maxwell came off a lengthy hiatus, he won Grammys.  There’s no doubt it could happen again, particularly if blackSUMMER’Snight is as great as BLACKsummer’snight was.

Maxwell, black SUMMERS' night © Columbia


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.