Grammy nominations 2017

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Last year Kendrick Lamar led the way with 11 nominations (and 5 trophies) and this year it’s Beyonce’s turn as she is ahead of the pack with 9 nominations for her smash “surprise” album Lemonade. She is joined by the usual suspects Drake, Adele, Rihanna and Justin Bieber. In the past the Grammys have been criticized for favouring albums that do well commercially over those that are critically acclaimed; especially when it comes to hip hop albums, but the way Kendrick ran the show last year with his album To Pimp A Butterfly deservedly winning big, it’s obvious that a concerted effort is being made to address this accusation.  This year Chicago born artist Chance The Rapper made history by having the first streaming-only album to be nominated for seven awards including Best New Artist and Best Rap Song. 

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Nigeria’s very own “Starboy” Wizkid was also one of the nominees for his contribution to Drake’s global hit “One Dance”. He is nominated as a guest artiste and producer and will pick up two awards if Drake wins since the award is now presented to the main artist, the featured artist(s), the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer. This caps a brilliant 2016 for Wizkid who has gained international acclaim and awards including MTV Europe Music Awards (Best African Act), 2016 MAMA awards (Best African Act), 2016 MOBO Awards as well as the AFRIMA awards. He is also the first Nigerian to emerge on the Billboard charts so it is extremely likely that his appearance on the list of Grammy nominees will not be his last.

This year’s event will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the host will be James Corden, an English actor/comedian and host of The Late Late Show on CBS. Check out some of the nominees below:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

1. 25 — Adele
2. Lemonade — Beyoncé
3. Purpose — Justin Bieber
4. Views — Drake
5. A Sailor's Guide To Earth — Sturgill Simpson

RECORD OF THE YEAR

1. "Hello" — Adele
2. "Formation" — Beyoncé
3. "7 Years" — Lukas Graham
4. "Work" — Rihanna Featuring Drake
5. "Stressed Out" — Twenty One Pilots

BEST RAP ALBUM

1. Coloring Book — Chance The Rapper
2. And the Anonymous Nobody — De La Soul
3. Major Key — DJ Khaled
4. Views — Drake
5. Blank Face LP — ScHoolboy Q
6. The Life of Pablo — Kanye West

BEST R&B ALBUM

1. In My Mind — BJ The Chicago Kid
2. Lalah Hathaway Live — Lalah Hathaway
3. Velvet Portraits — Terrace Martin
4. Healing Season — Mint Condition
5. Smoove Jones — Mya

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

1. Lemonade — Beyoncé
2. Ology — Gallant
3. We Are King — KING
4. Malibu — Anderson Paak
5. Anti — Rihanna