Since the Recording Academy established the Grammy Award for Best Rap Melodic Performance — named Best Rap/Sung Collaboration through 2017 and Best Rap/Sung Performance from 2018 to 2020 — in 2002, Rihanna has emerged as the most nominated ( nine) and the most-awarded (five) woman in the category. This year, Beyoncé could earn her ninth nod in the category and match Riri's record.
Of Rihanna's nine career Grammy wins, five have come from this category. He first won with Jay-Z for “Umbrella” in 2008 and followed up with four more wins: 2010's “Run This Town” (with Jay-Z & Kanye West), 2012's “All of the Lights” (featuring West, Kid Cudi and Fergie), 2015's “The Monster” (featuring Emninem) and 2018's “Loyalty” (featuring Kendrick Lamar).
Beyoncé won this category in 2004 for “Crazy in Love” (with Jay-Z). Her other nominated songs in this category include 2007's “Deja Vu” (featuring Jay-Z), 2010's “Ego” (featuring West), 2012's “Party” (featuring André 3000), 2014's “Part II” (with Jay-Z), 2017's “Freedom” (with Lamar) and 2018's “Family Feud” (with Jay-Z). In 2006, he also earned a nod as part of Destiny's Child with “Soldier,” alongside Lil Wayne and T.I.
This year, Beyoncé is in contention with “Spaghettii,” a country-rap hybrid featuring record-breaking newcomer Shaboozey and oft-overlooked country pioneer Linda Martell. Thanks to the combined star power of the names attached and its cultural appeal Cowboy Carter and “A Bar Song,” “Spaghettii” could be Beyoncé's first win in that category in more than 20 years. A nod for “Spaghettii” would allow her to tie Rihanna as the most nominated woman in that category. Shaboozey and Martell will also earn their first nods in this category.
But what other songs could give “Spaghetti,” which reached No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, a big hit? Let's break down the contenders.
Future and Metro Boomin's names will be all over the Grammy ballot thanks to their myriad submissions from We Don't Trust You and We Still Don't Trust Youboth topped the Billboard 200 this year. In this category, they submitted the Weeknd-assisted title track from the latest album. The Weeknd won here in 2022 (“Hurricane”) and Future reigned supreme in 2023 (“Wait for U”), so two of the three artists on “We Still Don't Trust You” have a favorable history in this category . A nod for the synthy track would be Future and The Weeknd's third and Metro's first. Tommy Richman's No. 2 “Million Dollar Baby” is probably the first here from a purely commercial standpoint, a nod here would be a first for the Virginia native.
Drake, who is currently tied with Beyoncé as the fourth-most nominated artist in that category, is in contention as part of Sexyy Red's “U My Everything,” which peaked at No. 44 on the Hot 100. A nod here would be Sexy is first in any category. she's also in the running for best new artist this year. Justin Timberlake, a five-time nominee and two-time winner here, could get a nod for “Sanctified” (featuring Tobe Nwigwe).
At the most recent ceremony, Latto made history when “Big Energy” became the first live performance to earn a nod in this category. This year it's in contention with “Big Mama,” which could surprise with a nomination despite its No. 92 spot on the Hot 100. Some other notable 2024 Hot 100 hits in the running include: “Kehlani” by Jordan Adetunji and Kehlani (No. 24), Flo Milli's “Never Lose Me” (No. 15), Offset and Don Toliver's “Worth It” (No. 90), Toliver, Charlie Wilson and Cash Cobain's “Attitude” (No. . 58), Quavo and Lana Del Rey's “Tough” (No. 33), 21 Savage and Summer Walker's “Prove It” (No. 43) and Travis Scott, James Blake and Savage's “Til Further Notice” (No. 38) . A nod in this category would be a first for all of the aforementioned artists except Wilson, Scott and 21 Savage. Scott and 21 Savage are both seeking their fourth nominations and first wins in this category, while Wilson is seeking his third nod here. Notably, if “Attitude” wins, Charlie Wilson would receive his first Grammy — more than four decades after his first nomination.
Of course, there are a few other songs to watch out for. Their critical acclaim and name recognition can make up for what they lack in commercial success. These songs include: “Back Outside” by Anycia and Latto. “Black Void” by Big Sean, Thundercat and Eryn Allen Kane. Childish Gambino, Amaarae & Flo Milli 'Talk My Shit'? Cordae and Anderson .Paak's “Summer Drop”? Doja Cat's “Acknowledge Me”? Erick the Architect and Lalah Hathaway “Liberate”; Gunna's “Bittersweet”; “3:AM” by Rapsody and Erykah Badu. ScHoolboy Q and Jozzy's “Lost Times”? SiR & .Paak 'Poetry In Motion'; Tems and J. Cole's “Free Fall” and “Ciao!” by Bryson Tiller.
Keep a close eye on “Free Fall” — Tems (2023, “Wait For U”) and Cole (2024, “All My Life”) are the last two winners in this category — as well as “Black Void,” which features Eryn Allen Kane who won best rap song and performance last year for “Scientists and Engineers” along with Killer Mike, Future and André 3000.
Our fearless prediction
So, which five songs could make up the next crop of nominees for Best Melodic Rap Performance? Our picks are: “Spaghettii” (Beyoncé, Shaboozey & Linda Martell), “We Still Don't Trust You” (Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd), “Free Fall” (Tems & J. Cole), “Attitude ” (Don Toliver, Charlie Wilson & Cash Cobain) and “Million Dollar Baby” (Tommy Richman).
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/beyonce-rihanna-future-shaboozey-best-melodic-rap-performance-grammys-1235800495/
