On Tuesday, The Recording Academy announced the nominations for this year’s Grammy Awards. On the very long list of honorees, you’ll find a few Triangle names holding strong.
Among this year’s nominees is Rapsody, who’s up for a Best Rap Album award for her record Laila’s Wisdom, as well as Best Rap Song for her track “Sassy.”
She’s up against some of the genre’s biggest players right now: Rapsody the only woman in the album category—Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Migos, and Tyler, The Creator are the other nominees—and “Sassy” is in competition with Cardi B’s mega-hit, “Bodak Yellow,” plus other tracks by Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and a collaboration between Danger Mouse, Run the Jewels, and Big Boi. Rapsody’s home state has long known of her immense talent, and it’s exciting to see her featured in such a big national spotlight.
Durham’s Sylvan Esso, meanwhile, was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album for April’s excellent What Now. In the Best Americana Album category, Iron & Wine—whose frontman and songwriter, Sam Beam, lives in Durham—is up for a trophy for his gorgeous August LP, Beast Epic.
The awards ceremony isn’t until January 28, but you can catch Rapsody at Motorco next Wednesday night, and tickets are still available here. Catch her while you can—she won’t be playing rooms that size for much longer.
