Music’s Biggest Night is almost here. The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards takes place on CBS on Sunday, March 14 at 8 p.m. EST.
Rated R&B’s road to the annual ceremony began last June when we spoke to the Recording Academy’s Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. about the future of R&B.
Five months later, the nominations were announced, with Beyoncé leading the charge with nine considerations, mostly for her march in the “Black Parade” and her “Savage” collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion.
A day later, surprising facts about some of our favorite 2021 R&B nominees were highlighted amid the uproar surrounding snubs for artists like Brandy and Teyana Taylor.
In gathering feedback from our devoted audience, Rated R&B exclusively spoke to the Recording Academy’s Rap, R&B, and Reggae Manager Len Brown about the importance of becoming a voting member and how it could impact future nominations and winners.
We’ve also had an opportunity to speak with Ant Clemons, whose debut project Happy 2 Be Here is nominated for Best R&B Album.
As the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards draws near, the Rated R&B editorial team places their bets on who will walk away with the gold in the R&B field. But first, check out the nominations again.
Best R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings
Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend — “Lightning & Thunder”
Beyoncé — “Black Parade”
Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign — “All I Need”
Brittany Howard — “Goat Head”
Emily King — “See Me”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings
The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor — “Sit on Down”
Chloe x Halle — “Wonder What She Thinks of Me”
Mykal Kilgore — “Let Me Go”
Ledisi — “Anything For You”
Yebba — “Distance”
Best R&B Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses)
“Better Than I Imagined” — Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)
“Black Parade” — Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“Collide” — Sam Barsh, Stacey Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar & Benedetto Rotondi, songwriters (Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG)
“Do It” — Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch & Vincent Van Den Ende, songwriters (Chloe X Halle)
“Slow Down” — Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley & H.E.R.)
Best Progressive R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded progressive vocal tracks derivative of R&B
Jhené Aiko — Chilombo
Chloe x Halle — Ungodly Hour
Free Nationals — Free Nationals
Robert Glasper — F*ck Yo Feelings
Thundercat — It Is What It Is
Best R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings
Ant Clemons — Happy 2 Be Here
Giveon — Take Time
Luke James — To Feel Love/D
John Legend — Bigger Love
Gregory Porter — All Rise
Anders’ Predictions:
Best R&B Performance
Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend — “Lightning & Thunder”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Chloe x Halle — “Wonder What She Thinks of Me”
Best R&B Song
“Black Parade” — Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Best Progressive R&B Album
Chloe x Halle — Ungodly Hour
Best R&B Album
John Legend — Bigger Love
Follow Anders on Twitter @andersdotcom
Antwane’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance
Beyoncé — “Black Parade”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Chloe x Halle — “Wonder What She Thinks of Me”
Best R&B Song
“Better Than I Imagined” — Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)
Best Progressive R&B Album
Robert Glasper — F*ck Yo Feelings
Best R&B Album
John Legend — Bigger Love
Follow Antwane on Twitter @iam_antwane
Danielle’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance
Beyoncé — “Black Parade”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Ledisi — “Anything For You”
Best R&B Song
“Black Parade” — Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Best Progressive R&B Album
Robert Glasper — F*ck Yo Feelings
Best R&B Album
John Legend — Bigger Love
Follow Danielle on Twitter DaniBKnowing_
Jakori’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance
Beyoncé — “Black Parade”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Yebba — “Distance”
Best R&B Song
“Better Than I Imagined” — Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)
Best Progressive R&B Album
Jhené Aiko — Chilombo
Best R&B Album
Giveon — Take Time
Follow Jakori on Rated R&B @jakori
Keithan’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance
Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend — “Lightning & Thunder”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Yebba — “Distance”
Best R&B Song
“Slow Down” — Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley & H.E.R.)
Best Progressive R&B Album
Robert Glasper — F*ck Yo Feelings
Best R&B Album
John Legend — Bigger Love
Follow Keithan on Twitter @iamkeithan
