There are five categories dedicated to R&B in the fields of R&B, rap and spoken word poetry at the 67th annual Grammy Awards. Yesterday, we previewed three of them — Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Traditional R&B Performance. Today, we're previewing the other two – Best R&B album and Best Progressive R&B album.
Best R&B album
The upcoming Grammy cycle marks the 30-year anniversary of the Best R&B album category, and this year's nominees range from seasoned veterans to up-and-coming stars.
Two previous winners — Chris Brown (2012) and Lalah Hathaway (2017) — is in contention this year. Brown is seeking his third nomination in this category with 11:11 (Deluxe)which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and spawned hits such as “Residuals,” “Sensational” (featuring Lojay and Davido) and “Summer Too Hot,” which won Best R&B Performance at the 2024 Grammys. Hathaway is also seeking her third nod in this category with Vantablackher first solo studio album in seven years.
Between the Super Bowl and his successful tour, Enter had a very successful year so a nod to Back home could be in the game. Although it has never competed in this category, it has won Best Contemporary R&B album (before it was discontinued in 2012) twice (2005 and 2011). Muni Longwho collaborated with Usher on the remix for the Grammy-winning “Hrs & Hrs,” is also one of her top contenders. Revenge LP.
Although he won best progressive R&B album for Table for two in 2022, Lucky Daye lost his previous bids in this category in 2020 (Painted) and 2023 (Candydrip). With Algorithmhis third studio album, the NOLA frontman could earn his third best R&B album nod. Men's Day (Cassandra), Eric Bennett (Duet), BJ The Chicago Kid (Sauce), Ledisi (Good Life) and Tyrese (Beautiful Pain) are all past nominees in this category running this year — and all have yet to win. With four nominations to her name, Ledisi is equal PJ Morton as the artist with the most nominations in this category without a win.
Eric Bellinger (The Rebirth 3: The Party & The Bedroom) and Kehlani (While we wait 2) have both previously been nominated for Best Progressive R&B album. A best R&B album nod for each star would be their first in that category. Kenyon Dixon won his first solo Grammy at the 2024 ceremony and could earn a bid here for The R&B you love.
Two more entries to watch: dopamine, Normanihis highly anticipated debut LP, and The Color Purple (Music by and inspired by), which features contributions from Grammy winners such as Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Tamela MannUsher, HER, Coco Jones, Megan Thee Stallion, Missy Elliott, Mary Mary, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Mary J. Blige and Black Thought.
Our fearless prediction
We bet on: Back home (Enter), Revenge (Muni Long), 11:11 – Deluxe (Chris Brown), Good Life (Ledisi) and Vantablack (Lala Hathaway).
Best Progressive R&B album
Since this category was first established in 2013 (originally as Best Urban Contemporary album), four artists have emerged as the acts with the most nominations. Beyoncé, Steve Lacy, Terrace Martin and Miguel each has earned three nods. Queen Bey and The Weeknd they are tied as the all-time winners in that division with two wins each.
If Martin can get a nomination for his Alex Easley joint album, I left my heart in Laderahe would become the single artist with the most nominations in the category's history (four). Given his track record here, Martin is a sure contender, as is NxWorries, the duo of Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge. .Paak is an eight-time Grammy winner, including a win for Best R&B album (2019, Ventura) and a nomination for Best Progressive R&B album (2017, Malibu). Hiatus Kaiyote (Love Heart Cheat Code), Childish Gambino (The Bando Stone and the New World) and Kehlani (Conflict) are all previous candidates in this category who could win their second bid. Chlöe has been featured here twice as part of Chloe x Halle, and although her debut LP, In Piecespassed for a nod, she could earn her first solo nomination here Trouble In Paradise.
Partynextdoor is one of the few artists to send an R&B album into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 this year. a nod to Partynextdoor 4 it would be his first Grammy nomination since 2017. Bryson Tiller (Bryson Tiller) and Tinashe (Quantum Baby) both had big hits this year with “Whatever She Wants” and “Nasty,” respectively. both are seeking their first nomination in this category. Also, look out for Rae Khalil, a .Paak protégé vying for a nod with her debut LP Crybabyand Ravyn Lenae, a critical sweetheart who is in conflict Bird's Eye. And never count out the Black Pumas, a group that has earned seven Grammy nominations — though none have been in the R&B field.
Other artists to watch out for: Durand Bernarr (On the way) Lizzen (On the Bus) Louis York (Songs with friends) and Sampha (Lachai)
Our fearless prediction
We're going with: Terrace Martin & Alex Isley (I left my heart in Ladera), Tinashe (Quantum Baby), NxWorries (Why Lawd?), Hiatus Kaiyote (Love Heart Cheat Code), Childish Gambino (The Bando Stone and the New World)
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2025-grammys-predictions-best-progressive-rb-album-nominees-usher-chris-brown-tinashe-1235808323/
