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Kanye West, The Life of Pablo © G.O.O.D./Def Jam

Best Rap Album:

Too Close to call

Likely nominees: Kanye West, The Life of Pablo; Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book; Kendrick Lamar, Untitled Unmastered; Drake, Views

Rap album will be tough this year – period.  Any of the four nominees stand a shot (you’d have to check into Chance the Rapper’s eligibility of course), but choosing which direction the recording academy will go for is tough.  Kanye West hasn’t won the category in years, while Kendrick Lamar won last year for To Pimp A Butterfly. Drake has been victorious once with his best album, Take CareViews isn’t considered to be Drake’s best, but it’s been a juggernaut nonetheless.

Kendrick Lamar, untitled unmastered © Aftermath/Interscope

Best Country Album:

Maren Morris, Hero

Other likely nominees: Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth; Dierks Bentley, Black; Keith Urban, Ripcord

At times, in the country category, newcomers have been awarded.  While Morris has released several albums, Hero is her biggest of note.  Sturgill Simpson definitely deserves recognition, but his previous album didn’t receive any from the Grammys.  Could A Sailor’s Guide to Earth be his time?

Maren Morris, Hero © 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.

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