Grammy Awards’ Rap Race: Can Anyone Best Kendrick Lamar?

variety.com:

Kyle Eustice For the first time in … well, maybe ever, hip-hop fans applauded the Recording Academy in 2021 for “getting it right.” Nominees in the rap album category included unconventional releases that weren’t necessarily expected to get the nod: Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist’s critically acclaimed “Alfredo,” D Smoke’s “Black Habits,” Royce Da 5’9’s “The Allegory,” Jay Electronica’s long-awaited debut, “A Written Testimony,” and the winner, Nas’ “King’s Disease,” which netted the mighty 25-year vet his first Grammy.

The following year’s noms followed suit, with mentions going to Tyler, the Creator’s “Call Me if You Get Lost,” Nas’ “King Disease II,” J.

Cole’s “The Off-Season,” Kanye West’s “Donda” and Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” (although the famous Grammy skeptic decided to withdraw the project before the votes were cast).

Now the question remains: Will the streak continue? There’s no shortage of options. Kendrick Lamar’s challenging “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” the Compton king’s first full-length since 2017’s masterpiece “DAMN,” which not only won a rap album Grammy but also a Pulitzer prize, would seem to be a top contender, although it’s also likely to compete in the album of the year category, potentially alongside Adele, Silk Sonic, Harry Styles, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.