Grammy Nominations 2016: Kendrick Lamar Scores Big!

The nominations for the 58th annual Grammy Awards were announced by CBS on Monday morning and LA rapper Kendrick Lamar has a lot to celebrate after garnering a whopping 11 nominations including recognition in the key categories, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Album.

Not too far behind is America’s Sweetheart, Taylor Swift who managed to rack up 7 noms. The Weeknd also walked away with 7 nominations, including the prestigious Record of the Year.

Lamar has been down this road before after amassing 7 nominations in 2014 for his heralded effort – good kid, m.A.A.D city, but walked away empty-handed.

After dropping To Pimp a Butterfly – fans and critics had to come together and toast a well-devised masterpiece that stretched the limits of appeal and catapulted  Lamar into Kanye-like status which is poised to surpass if he hasn’t already.

It’s safe to bet that Lamar will finally get his due this time and be bequeathed with a fair number of trophies.

As expected the blockbuster collaboration between Wiz Khalifa and newcomer Charlie Puth continues to put them and the film that inspired it all – Furious 7, in the spotlight. The winning duo’s affecting ballad, See You Again is still enjoying a full run but even more touching is the fact that it was composed in honor of the late Paul Walker who tragically died in a car crash in 2013 while on break from filming the Furious 7. 

See You Again is nominated for Song of the Year – and will most likely face off with Lamar’s Alright which will win – unless voters allow the emotional weight of the Paul Walker element to overtake them.

D’Angelo’s long-awaited comeback has yielded great returns as the celebrated crooner received a nomination for Best R&B Album in recognition of his critical darling , Black Messiah.

For those wondering why Janet Jackson is missing from the esteemed lineup – unfortunately the singer’s album was released after the eligibility period (October 1st 2015 to September 30th 2015).

Click here for a list of all the nominees.