How Have These 12 Rappers Never Won A Grammy?
After last year's Grammy awards, where Kendrick Lamar was beat out by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in the Best Rap Album category, hip-hop fans are rightfully skeptical of this year's Grammy results.
Iggy Azalea could have a big night with her four nominations -- and while her success makes her deserving, she isn't the best hip-hop representative. In fact, if Iggy wins the Best Rap Album category, there is sure to be some backlash -- especially when an artist like YG (My Krazy Life) wasn't even nominated.
To say that the Grammy committee isn't in tune with the sensibilities and taste of the hip-hop community would be an understatement. If we're being honest, the Grammys have been getting it wrong for years when it comes to hip-hop. A number of MCs that we include in our greatest of all-time debates have never hoisted a golden gramophone. In fact, the list of rappers who have never won a Grammy would surprise you. So here we picked out 12 spitters who we feel are award-winning.
2Pac
'Pac recently earned a spot in the Grammy museum, but despite six nominations, he's never won a golden gramophone. Hard to believe that Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" beat out "Dear Mama" in 1996 for Best Rap Solo Performance, but it's true.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Had Biggie lived long enough to record more than two albums, we hope he would've won a Grammy. Still, if you ask us, though his career was short, the Brooklyn MC delivered plenty of award-winning material.
Snoop Dogg
The Grammy committee ain't got no love for Snoop Dogg? Apparently not. Though he's been nominated 13 times, Tha Doggafather has never won at the Grammys. in 1994 he and Dr. Dre's "Nothin' But a G Thang" lost Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group to Digable Planets.
Nas
Nas has a number of hip-hop classics under his belt starting with his 1994 debut album Illmatic, but he has zero Grammys. After 11 nominations we're left wondering who's calling the shots over there.
DMX
Jay Z boycotted the Grammys for years, and in 1999 opted not to go even though he himself was nominated, because the committee failed to recognize DMX.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj had an unforgettable Grammy performance back in 2012, but after five nominations the reigning Queen of rap has yet to get her just due. She has a couple more chances this year.
Rakim
The R is often regarded as the God MC, partly because of his affiliation with the Five Percent Nation and partly because of his supreme rap skills. Granted, Rakim's reign came in the 1980s and early 1990s, during a time when the Grammys were just starting to recognize hip-hop, still,
Busta Rhymes
Hey Busta, put your Grammys where our eyes could see. Oh, that's right, you can't because they committee failed to recognize you for all of your greatness. SMH!
J. Cole
Cole is a relative newcomer, but already has built a catalog worthy of some awards. The two-time Grammy nominee doesn't have a gramophone yet, but he's got to get one in 2016 for 2014 Forest Hills Drive right? If not he may record "Fire Squad 2."
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C. were among hip-hop's first superstars in the 1980s, selling platinum albums and starring in movies, but they never won a Grammy.
Ice Cube
Cube wasn't the most commercially successful rapper, but his impact on hip-hop music can't ever be denied. Today Cube is a big Hollywood star, a name that the Grammy committee would surely recognize even if they've never given him an award.
Game
Maybe Game isn't the first MC you think of when you talk about hi-hop Grammy snubs, but when the Compton spitter first emerged in 2005 with The Documentary he was in the same class as Grammy-winners Kanye West and Jeezy. He and 50 lost to the Black Eyed Peas in 2006's Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Boo!