Grammy Best Melodic Rap Performance 2023 Nominations and Winner
Best Melodic Rap Performance Grammy Nominations
- BEAUTIFUL
by DJ Khaled, featuring Future & SZA
The title of the song speaks for itself. This track is very much beautiful due to the smooth as ever performance from Future that paired well with the SZA vocals. However, the downfall of “Beautiful” and part of the reason why I believe it shouldn’t earn a Grammy is the lack of SZA in the final product.
She is only present for a short amount of time, but I believe a verse from her would elevate this song to the level of “WAIT FOR U.” Like I said, Future did his thing and the production was fine, but it was simply outclassed by the next nomination.
- WAIT FOR U
by Future Featuring Drake & Tems
“WAIT FOR U” is a masterpiece and there should be a clear consensus that this is the Grammy winner of this category. It is truly perfect, from the Tems sample that displays her beautiful vocals or the Drake feature. However, that shouldn’t take away from Future performing another great melodic verse after his part in “Beautiful.”
All three of these artists perfectly complimented each other on this track and more work should be in place for future collaborations. This song should take the Grammy home.
- First Class
by Jack Harlow
Jack Harlow had the whole world behind him after he released a viral snippet of the track to TikTok. In this video, the listener could hear the presence of a Fergie sample off of “Glamorous,” which fans were ecstatic to hear on streaming platforms.
However, it was one of the biggest disappointments in music last year. This is precisely why I would replace it with “Churchill Downs” featuring Drake.
The ladder is a much better song as a whole even after Harlow’s lack of creativity in his lyricism and has a much better chance of winning the Grammy. Harlow is taking a first-class flight home empty-handed.
- Die Hard
by Kendrick Lamar, featuring Blxst & Amanda Reifer
“Die Hard” is practically on the same level as “Beautiful” and if it weren’t for the release of “WAIT FOR U” I would be fine with either one winning the Grammy for this nomination. In fact, I would argue this song would take the lead as the front runner for this category.
Kendrick has a strong case to win this category as well and I wouldn’t blame the Grammys for picking this track as the winner. But to be honest, it’s a close second.
- Big Energy (Live)
by Latto
Truthfully, I don’t fully understand why this song is in this category. That’s not to say it’s a bad song, it just doesn’t strike me as a melodic performance at all. “Big Energy” reminds me of a song like “WAP.” It has that hot girl summer anthem that I don’t find suitable for this nomination.
In the end, this is the last song out of all of the nominations to win the Grammy, however, I am glad the previously known Miss Mulatto is getting her flowers.
Winner of Best Melodic Rap Performance
This was my winner coming into the Grammys for best melodic rap performance and I am glad that the hit song “WAIT FOR U” took it home. Really hope to see more from this trio in the future.
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