Letdowns Eclipse Triumph

That sound you heard around 6:30 Wednesday night was the collective groan that went up from the hip-hop community when Will Smith was named the winner of the rap solo performance Grammy.

Although the rapper-cum-movie star’s club hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” is a decent tune, it pales in comparison to two competing tracks: Wyclef Jean’s “Gone Till November” and Lauryn Hill’s “Lost Ones.” Even Busta Rhymes’ playful “Dangerous” would have been a better choice.

That was the most disappointing result in the three rap categories. Another--but far less embarrassing--lapse was the Beastie Boys’ surprise win for best duo or group performance for “Intergalactic.” OutKast should have won for its innovative “Rosa Parks,” but the Atlanta duo’s lack of a mainstream following likely hurt its chances.

There’s no question that Jay-Z deserved his best rap album award for “Vol 2 . . . Hard Knock Life,” which helped ease the pain of Smith’s victory. The Brooklyn rapper’s Grammy signaled a substantial triumph for hard-core hip-hop, which has traditionally been shunned by Grammy voters.