Our predictions by genre

After years of saluting the most commercial, sanitized hip-hop, the Grammys are finally warming up to some of the genre’s better artists.

Best Album: “The Eminem Show” stands as the likely (and deserving) winner, but the nominations for “Word of Mouf” by Ludacris and “Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry” by Petey Pablo signify two nods for hard-core rap albums that would have probably been overlooked in previous years despite their merit.

Best Male Solo Performance: Eminem, whose catchy smash “Without Me” is nominated here, is likely to walk away with a deserved trophy. But Ludacris’ spastic “Rollout (My Business),” Nelly’s sensuous “Hot in Herre” and Mystikal’s frantic “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against the Wall)” would all do this category proud.

Best Performance by a Duo or Group: In the toughest contest, voters will pick style over substance and elect “Pass the Courvoisier Part II” by Busta Rhymes featuring P. Diddy and Pharrell. But if substance mattered, the victor would be OutKast featuring Killer Mike’s “The Whole World.” Either way, the genre wins.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: Nappy Roots featuring Anthony Hamilton deserves to win for “Po’ Folks” but is likely to be overshadowed by Nelly featuring Kelly Roland with “Dilemma.”

-- Soren Baker