These Choices Have Credibility on the Street

Rap purists finally have Grammys nods they can live with as this year’s nominees have more street credibility than any time since rap got its own categories in 1989.

Hard-core rapper Jay-Z, whose “Vol. 2 . . . Hard Knock Life” has sold more than 3 million copies, was nominated in each of the three rap categories: best solo and best album for “Hard Knock Life” and best performance by a duo or group for his duet with Jermaine Dupri, “Money Ain’t a Thang.”

Of course, other, more traditional names also appear. Will Smith of TV and movie fame has a good shot at winning best rap solo for “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.” Rap icons the Beastie Boys represent the genre’s older school with their nomination for “Intergalactic” for best performance by a duo or group. Stiff competition in that category will come from Pras’ “Ghetto Supastar.”

In the best album category, Latino rapper Big Punisher received a surprising nomination for his “Capital Punishment.” This field is a tossup, with Dupri, Jay-Z, Mase and A Tribe Called Quest the other worthy nominees.

OutKast, another group universally respected in the hip-hop community, was nominated for best duo or group for its bouncy “Rosa Parks” single.

The nominations of artists such as Jay-Z, Big Punisher and OutKast signify the move of legitimate rappers into the mainstream.

Index of Leading Economic Indicators

Seasonally adjusted index, 1992=100

November: 106.3

* Source: Conference Board