Singles Show Most Strength

The Grammy nominating committee seems to be able to pick a good rap single when it hears one, but its attention span must be too short for it to accurately pick the genre’s better albums.

Yet again, a string of blockbuster albums has been nominated, while collections from the most progressive and innovative rap acts have gone overlooked.

The lone exception is “The Marshall Mathers LP,” the critically acclaimed, chart-topping album from Eminem also nominated for overall album of the year. It is the only rap collection that deserves its place on the ballot, and it should be a no-brainer to win, at least in the rap portion.

Albums from Three 6 Mafia, Slum Village, Young Bleed and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony deserved nominations more than those by DMX, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z and Nelly that are up against Eminem.

As for the singles, Jay-Z featuring UGK’s “Big Pimpin’ ” deserves to win and could win for best rap performance by a duo or group.

Two Dr. Dre collaborations, “Forgot About Dre” and “The Next Episode,” also stand a chance, but another Dre single, “Xxplosive,” should have been nominated.

The most disappointing of all rap nominees comes in this category with the Beastie Boys’ “Alive.” Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” should have been nominated, but its drug-centered content was probably too racy for Grammy types.

The most representative category is rap solo performance, even though it has a glaring omission. Eminem, whose “The Real Slim Shady” was nominated, should have received a second for “Stan,” his sensational tale of a manic fan. Singles from Common, Mystikal and Nelly deserve the recognition and are all worthy candidates, but Eminem will probably win because of his high visibility.