Art-Versus-Commerce Debate Returns, and Guess What Is Leading

After a year in which talented and respected artists such as Jay-Z, OutKast and the late Big Punisher were nominated for Grammys, the voters have reverted to their old, commercial-minded ways in the three rap categories.

Sure, worthy nominees such as Eminem, Dr. Dre and the Roots were recognized, but nominations for commercially popular but artistically inferior work from Q-Tip, Will Smith and Puff Daddy are simply laughable.

In the rap album category, Eminem deserves to win for his witty and warped “The Slim Shady LP.” However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see less-deserving albums by either Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott or Busta Rhymes earn a trophy. The Roots’ critically acclaimed “Things Fall Apart” is the underdog in this category.

The rap solo performance field is marred by ridiculous nominations, even as some satisfactory work is recognized. Decent but uninspiring songs from 2Pac (“Changes”) and Q-Tip (“Vivrant Thing”) could win, but Busta Rhymes’ high-energy “Gimme Some More” deserves the victory in the weakest of the rap categories.

In the duo or group competition, strong work from Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg (“Still D.R.E.”), Eminem and Dr. Dre (“Guilty Conscience”) and the Roots featuring Erykah Badu (“You Got Me”) would all be deserving winners. But Puff Daddy featuring R. Kelly’s feeble “Satisfy You” may strike a chord with the apparently commercially sensitive voters.

Not nominating such dominant and influential artists as DMX, Juvenile, Jay-Z and Ol’ Dirty Bastard shows just how far off base the Grammy voters have strayed when it comes to rap. *