After over 25 yrs since it’s birth…rap music, Hip Hop, Urban…call it what you will has always been kinda played by the industry…Throughout the Golden Age of the 80’s…the Gangstadom of the 90’s and the commercialism of the 21st century…Hip Hop always seemed to have to fight for it’s supposed legitimacy in the musical world.
On February 13, 2005 at the Staples Center in LA Hip Hop in a way finally established itself for the world to finally see. The unstoppable juggernaut that has kids from war-torn Iraq to Tsunami swept Indonesia nodding to the bounce of a 50 Cent beat.
Kanye West garnered 3 of the 8 awards he was nominated for. Best Rap Album; College Dropout , Best Rap Song; Jesus Walks ,and Best R&B Song; U Don’t Know My Name w Alicia Keys.
Speaking of Alicia…her fine cocoa buttered skinned self hit not only with Best R&B Song with Kanye, but also scored with Best R&B Album; Dairy Of Alicia Keys, Best Female R&B (Vocal); If I Ain’t Got U, Best R&B Performance; My Boo w Usher
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Usher showed that despite all the rumors circulating about him that he could still handle business as he got the nod for 2 more Grammy’s on top of R&B Best Duo as he pulled Best Contemporary R&B Album w Confessions and Rap Sung Collab for Yeah w Lil Jon.
In the end the night though belonged to recently deceased musical genius Ray Charles… for without his contributions today’s music would not exist.
Album of the Year: “Genius Loves Company,” Ray Charles and various artists.
Record of the Year: “Here We Go Again,” Ray Charles and Norah Jones.
Song of the Year: “Daughters,” John Mayer.
Hip Hop & Urban Winners
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Rap Album: “The College Dropout,” Kanye West.
R&B Album: “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” Alicia Keys.
Male R&B Vocal Performance: “Call My Name,” Prince.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: “If I Ain’t Got You,” Alicia Keys.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: “My Boo,” Usher and Alicia Keys.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “Musicology,” Prince.
Urban/Alternative Performance: “Cross My Mind,” Jill Scott.
R&B Song: “You Don’t Know My Name,” Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West (Alicia Keys).
Contemporary R&B Album: “Confessions,” Usher.
Rap Solo Performance: “99 Problems,” Jay-Z.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: “Let’s Get It Started,” The Black Eyed Peas.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Yeah!” Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.
Rap Song: “Jesus Walks,” Miri Ben Ari, C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West).
