Royce Da 5’9”, Kierra Sheard, Big Sean among state Grammy nominees
An array of rap, blues, jazz and gospel performers give the Detroit metro area a little skin in the game for the 63d Grammy Awards.
In nominations announced Tuesday, Nov. 24, Royce Da 5’9”’s “Allegory” received a nod for Best Rap Album, while Big Sean’s “Deep Reverence,” from his latest album “Detroit 2” and featuring the late Nipsey Hussle, is competing for Best Rap Performance. Surprisingly, 15-time Grammy winner Eminem, whose “Music to Be Murdered By” album came out during January, was snubbed.
Betty LaVette’s “Blackbirds” is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard’s “Kierra” is up for Best Gospel Album and violinist Regina Carter is in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category for her contribution to Thana Alexa’s “Ona” album. The Ann Arbor-based electronic label Ghostly International’s compilation “The Story of Ghostly International” received a nod for Best Boxed Set or Limited Edition, while Muir, Mich. native Billy Strings’ “Home” is up for Best Bluegrass album.
And in a tacit connection, “Waiting Game” by Teri Lynne Carrington — Artist in Residence at Detroit’s Carr Center and for the Detroit Jazz Festival — and her band Social Science is nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental album.
Beyonce led all nominees with nine, followed by Taylor Swift with six. Billie Eilish, last year’s big winner with five Grammys, was nominated for another two this year. A full list of nominations can be found at Grammy.com.
The Grammys take place Jan. 31 in Los Angeles, hosted by Trevor Noah, and will be broadcast on CBS ( WWJ, Channel 62).