The late, great Phife Dawg famously rapped, “I'll never let a statue to me tell me how cool I am,” on the “Award Tour” from the class of A Tribe Called Quest. Midnight Marauders album. The words still ring true over 30 years later when it comes to the Grammy Awards, which have all too often been lacking in respect for Hip-Hop culture.
Back in the day, the Grammys didn't even show the winners of the Rap category during the proper show. For many, the slights still linger, like Jay-Z sitting in the front row only to go 0-8 in Grammy wins in 2018. Every year it's a guarantee, Hip-Hop heads will be upset, about something, justifiably so .
Needless to say, the Grammys' relationship with the culture is still strained at best, with artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Childish Gambino practically curfewing the show after being asked and walking through the show.
Considering the number of Hip-Hop legends who have dropped quality material, only to never get a Grammy Award, you can't blame them. As Phife hints, a Grammy Award will never make you a great MC, but recognition would still be nice. And don't use starting groups like the aforementioned A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul or Public Enemy.
To be clear, we're not taking anything away from stars whose shelves are full of Grammys. We just wish the distribution of honors was fairer.
For proof, check out the list of Hip-Hop artists who have never won a Grammy in the gallery. It wouldn't really be the Grammys if someone didn't snub, right?
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Getty Photo
1. Yassin Beys
Source: WENN
Yasiin Bey f/k/a as Mighty Mos Def is already one of the best MCs of all time. Not so in Grammy land.
2. KRS-One
Source: Getty
Blastmaster KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions are legends. For shame.
3. Wales
Source: Warner Records
Wale has only one nomination for Best Rap Song in 2013 for “Lotus Flower Bomb.”
4. Rakim
Source: Getty
R has been nominated a total of two times.
5. A tribe called Quest
Source: WENN.com
A Tribe Called Quest came up empty after only four nominations. Two nominations in 1997, one nomination in 1999, and one in 2012. Q-Tip has a Grammy Award, but it was for a performance of the Chemical Brothers' “Galvanize.”
6. Scarface
Source: Getty
Brad Jordan is still AWESOME.
7. Snoop Dogg
Source: WENN.com
Despite 16 nominations, Snoop Dogg has always come up short. She holds the record for the third most Grammy nominations ever without a win across all genres.
8. Ice cube
Source: WENN.com
O'Shea Jackson has only been nominated once. Think about it.
9. Wu-Tang Clan
Source: Hip-Hop Wired
Despite being for the kids, Wu-Tang Clan only managed to earn one Grammy nomination.
10. DMX
Source: WENN.com
DMX once released two hit and commercial albums in one year. Still, he's 0-3 at the Grammy Awards.
11. Busta Rhymes
Source: Getty
Dungeon Dragon has twelve nominations to its name.
12. Redman
Source: Getty
Redman will go down in history as the GOAT, but he only has two Grammy nominations to his name. However, Method Man's friend has a Grammy.
13. Mobb Deep
Source: Getty
The speakers of the Dunn language. Rest in power Prodigy.
14. Tupac Shakur
Source: Getty
Tupac Shakur's legendary life was cut short, but a posthumous award is overdue.
15. Public Enemy
Source: WENN.com
This is just disrespectful.