So no new post for 2 months…. Sorry about that, guys. I’ve been busy. Anyway, as the title suggests, these are my predictions for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Previous winners were “Crack a Bottle” by Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent, “Swagga Like Us” by Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and T.I., and, uhhh, “Don’t Phunk with My Heart” by the Black-Eyed Peas. You’ll know why I predicted the following songs.
1) “Forever” by Drake featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem
This song was basically 2009’s “Swagga Like Us”: four acclaimed rappers on a posse cut… except I wouldn’t bother saying this is vastly better than the aforementioned song. This will undoubtedly win, even though my predicted contenders below are pretty dope! It might have not reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (then again, neither did “Swagga Like Us”), but the sheer star power in this song makes up for it. Drake is sick (one of the few times I actually like him). Kanye isn’t up to par, at least not like now with “Monster” (see below) and “Power,” but his verse is catchy and gets stuck in my head for some reason. Lil Wayne is pretty much the same (average to me). But Eminem is the final piece of this puzzle. He absolutely murders this track. Plus, didn’t everyone except Kanye perform this song at this year’s Grammys with Travis Barker on drums? If you haven’t seen it yet, preferably the uncensored version you can probably find on YouTube, then you’re missing out, ’cause that was one worthwhile performance. I mean, the Academy just handed them the award right there when they let them perform it. What more is there to it, am I right?
2) “Monster” by Kanye West and Jay-Z featuring Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver
As sick as “Forever” is, right now I believe this song should win. I might change my point-of-view by the time the show airs, but this song is just so… Amazing? Incredible? Off-the-hook?!! The production is slick and head-bumping, Bon Iver’s grainy vocals are a perfect fit, Kanye is catchy as always, Jay-Z has a decent verse himself, and NICKI MINAJ, in every imaginable way, somehow proves she’s the best female rapper today. Her verse gives me shivers, and that’s saying something! Sorry, I forgot to mention Rick Ross because his 4 bars are worthless, but it doesn’t matter. The song as a whole is what hip-hop music is and what it should be. It found its release online on September 21st through Kanye’s “G.O.O.D. Fridays” initiative, just in time for eligibility, and this should, and probably will, be a good contender for this award.
3) “Drop the World” by Lil Wayne featuring Eminem
I originally predicted Lil Wanye and Eminem to be nominated with “No Love” as well, but its single release is next Tuesday (the 5th), therefore making it ineligible. But if it did get released before September 31st, this would’ve been a great year for Lil Wayne and Eminem for this category. I mean, they’re seriously killing it, even though I dislike Lil Wayne. And although this track was off the latter’s horrendous “rock album,” this standout hip-hop track is, as NME puts it, the only highlight of Rebirth. But I think we can all agree it’s only because of Eminem that makes this song so amazing. His verse is one of his best, I’d argue, and he later does it again on “No Love.” (GET ON HIS LEVEL, WEEZY!) Anyway, the song was also performed at the Grammys this year, so why shouldn’t it get nominated?
4) “On to the Next One” by Jay-Z featuring Swizz Beatz
This ain’t even an official group/duo performance by my standards since Mr. Beatz just “raps” the chorus. But it’s a Jay-Z track! The Academy is infatuated with this guy for all hip-hop-related categories, but does he deserve it? Well, if you ask me, I love this track. It’s a total club-banger and has a nice, hypnotic beat. Jay-Z’s verse is decent enough, though not as memorable as, say, “Monster” or anything, but his ability to adapt to modern standards, which is what the song is about, is always unbelievable! But I believe it, because Jay-Z can do anything nowadays. It never ceases to amaze me how well he’s doing when he’s been in the game for nearly 15 years. Where’s Nas? Game? Diddy? 50 Cent?
5) “Right Above It” by Lil Wayne featuring Drake
I pretty much put this song down here because (1) I couldn’t think of another song to fill this position and (2) it’s Lil Wayne and Drake. I don’t know if the Academy has ever nominated the same people this many times for a single category, but who knows? This song peaked at #6 in the Billboard Hot 100, which isn’t that bad, but, in my opinion, it sucks! The production is actually impressive (go Kane Beatz!), but Weezy’s verses are stupid as hell! Drake is cool, but Weezy is facepalm. But whatever, it could get nominated.
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