Did You Know? - Music Fun Fact: Grammys Edition

I’m an avid Wikipedia peruser. I am constantly learning new information. One of my favorite topics to explore is music. I love learning about an artist's backstory to see how it cemented them where they are today. After seeing that Ashanti sang the National Anthem at one of the World Series Games in New York, I was curious to know if she was a New York Native as the other performers, such as Fat Joe, also performed at the World Series. Not only did I learn that she is a New York, but I also learned this interesting tidbit that I wanted to share because I found it to be super cool and not talked about enough!

Did You Know? - Grammys Edition by Enyjé Mai-Ling Sandoz 

After learning that #Ashanti won a Grammy during her debut era in the Best Contemporary R&B Album category, I became intrigued! I was unaware of the Best Contemporary R&B Album category. With the exception of the BET Awards, I did not tune into award shows, and even with the BET Awards, I watched it for the performances; though, from time to time, I pay attention to nominations and category winners, especially if it involves one of my favorite artists.

Coupled with my overall impartiality regarding award shows and ceremonies, the Best Contemporary R&B Album category was discontinued after the 2011 Grammys due to the Recording Academy Board believing they were casting the net too far wide, thus diminishing the value and prestige of what it means to win a Grammy. Considering this was such a crucial category — it created a home for hybrids: albums with R&B roots that blended with other genres such as Hip Hop, Pop, etc., who may not necessarily fit into the overall Best R&B Album category (which is often used as an overgeneralization for Black artists) due to its diverse nature.

This was such a cool category — so many albums that fall into the guidelines of this album come to mind, and it is a bit jarring to know that the Academy’s concern was more on the esteem of the award rather than awarding artists with their just due, but what’s new. Interestingly enough, this category was resurrected in 2013 but rebranded just two years after the discontinuation of the original category — go figure. Its title was ‘Best Urban Contemporary Album,’ but it has since been changed due to controversy and public condemnation from artists, such as Tyler The Creator, surrounding the 'urban’ label (rightfully so). As of 2020, the category has been renamed as the Best Progressive R&B Album.

Grammys: Best Contemporary R&B Album - Winners & Nominees (2003 - 2011) by Enyjé Mai-Ling Sandoz

What are your thoughts on this category and other Grammy categories?