Eminem Pulls Off Unlikely Hat Trick

“Say My Name” may be Destiny’s Child’s Grammy-winning R&B; song, but it’s also what Eminem might have been thinking as he won a Grammy in each of the three rap categories. The Detroit rapper deserved his nod in the rap album category and was a reasonable selection for best rap solo performance, but his victory in the best rap performance by a duo or group--via his appearance on Dr. Dre’s “Forgot About Dre”--was questionable.

“The Marshall Mathers LP” was easily the best rap album released during the Grammy year, but the solo performance award won by “The Real Slim Shady” could just as easily have gone to Nelly, whose “Country Grammar” single was perhaps the most enjoyable selection in the group.

Among the rivals Dre and Eminem defeated in the duo or group category were Jay-Z featuring UGK’s “Big Pimpin’ ” (the best entry in the field) and another, stronger Dre cut, “The Next Episode,” which showcased Snoop Dogg.

So despite his sweep, Eminem was rivaled Wednesday night by his mentor Dre, who was also named nonclassical producer of the year--a delayed acknowledgment of more than a decade of significant recordings, and an indication that rap is finally getting some overdue respect.