The 63rd annual Grammys don’t kick off until 8:00 p.m. tonight (March 14th), but a variety of rappers are already celebrating some big wins.
R&B star Jhene Aiko is hosting the Grammy Awards’ “Premiere Ceremony,” which kicked off at 3:00 p.m. with an all-star medley of Marvin Gaye’s classic song “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).”
So far, several rappers have won during the untelevised portion, which is streaming on YouTube and the Grammy’s website.
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, and Wizkid scored a Grammy for Best Music Video for their critically acclaimed song, “Brown Skin Girl,” from the album The Lion King: The Gift.
It’s a significant win for The Carters because it is the first Grammy Award for their 9-year-old daughter. It’s meaningful for Wizkid as well, since it is his first Grammy Award too.
Kanye West snagged the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for his album Jesus Is King, besting Cody Carnes (Run To The Father,) Hillsong Young & Free (All Of My Best Friends), We The Kingdom (Holy Water), and Tauren Wells (Citizen Of Heaven).
Jesus Is King is Kanye West’s 22nd Grammy Award and his first since he transitioned from secular music to focus on his career as a Christian artist.
Nigerian singer/rapper Burna Boy took home his first Grammy for his 5th album, Twice As Tall. Burna Boy bested Bebel Gilberto, Anoushka Shankar, Tinariwen, and Antibalas to take the category, formerly known as Best World Music Album.
Megan Thee Stallion won her first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance thanks to her hit song “Savage” featuring Beyoncé. Megan’s “WAP” collaborator Cardi B was one of the first people to congratulate the “Hot Girl” on her big win.
Congrats @theestallion .You deserve it ! https://t.co/LYJRHtgXcl
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) March 14, 2021
Rap star Nas earned his first Grammy today for his 13th studio album Kings Disease. He was facing stiff competition from D Smoke (Black Habits), Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (Alfredo), Jay Electronica (A Written Testimony), and Royce Da 5’9 (The Allegory).
Rap veteran Ice-T hopped genres to take the Grammy award for Best Metal Performance for his rock band’s album Bum-Rush. Ice, who formed Body Count almost 20 years ago and was once entangled in a major controversy over the band’s politically charged song “Cop Killer,” was shocked at his win.
Ohhhhh S###!!! WTF just happened???! 💥💥💥💥
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) March 14, 2021
Check out the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards tonight for the televised portion, which will feature performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny, Lil Baby, Doja Cat, DaBaby, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, and others.
The live event, which will be hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, starts at 8:00 p.m. EST and will air on CBS.