Best Rap Album
**************
Winner:
"The Slim Shady LP"
Eminem
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Why It Won: Whether or not this was the absolute best rap CD
of the year, it's admirable to see the Grammys go with
something so outrageously, hilariously over the top. The
award acknowledges Eminem's uniquely careening rhyme style,
as did his Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance ("My Name
Is").
Our Pick:
We agree with the Recording Academy. The Roots' "Things Fall
Apart" was more PC, but Eminem's record sounded both funny
and dangerous--even though he may simply be a pretty nice
guy.
Best Solo Rap Performance
*************************
Winner:
"My Name Is"
Eminem
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Why It Won: This single was a great way to introduce Eminem
to the mass audience; both funny and autobiographical enough
to get his story across, it also rocked hard. "The Slim
Shady LP" went on to amplify his themes and style.
Our Pick:
"Amplified"
Q-Tip
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In this case, though, we would have given a nod to the newly
solo Q-Tip. "Vivrant Thing" might not have been his finest
lyric ever, but he put it across with the verve (and the
great, relaxed but jazzed voice) that always marked his work
with A Tribe Called Quest.
Best Duo/Group Rap Performance
******************************
Winner:
"You Got Me"
The Roots Featuring Erykah Badu
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Philly groove to the max, the Roots' single hooked them up
with a kindred spirit in Erykah Badu. Not only an artistic
success, it helped bring them to a higher level
commercially, pushing their "Things Fall Apart" album past
gold.
Our Pick:
"Dr. Dre 2001"
Dr. Dre
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The Roots' record was a fine one, but the reunion of Dr. Dre
and Snoop Dogg on "Still D.R.E." really scorched our
ears. Dre's comeback was a defining moment for hip-hop in
'99, and it would've been nice to see the Grammys
acknowledge that fact. Still, "Dr. Dre 2001" is eligible for
next year's awards.
Best R&B Album
**************
Winner:
"FanMail"
TLC
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Like Santana's "Supernatural," "FanMail" nicely split the
difference between commercial success and good music. If
anything, though, TLC's disc is a better work: challenging,
tough-minded, and funky, it allowed the group's three women
to assert themselves to the fullest in a year when some
female singers were happy to chirp that it was "all about
you, not about me."
Our Pick:
We agree with the Recording Academy. We spent as much time
admiring TLC's achievement as did the millions who bought
their album.
"Dr. Dre 2001"
Dr. Dre
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As noted above, "2001" should be a hot pick for next year's
trophies. Its supple, deep-dish sound could even net Dre a
nomination in the Producer of the Year category. Well, we
can dream.
"Amplified"
Q-Tip
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Q-Tip turns toward new production styles on his solo debut
album, but keeps the flow and intelligence that made him one
of our very favorite rappers of the '90s.
"Vol. 3... The Life & Times of S. Carter"
Jay-Z
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The Grammys could've given his string of 1999 hits at least
a polite tip of the cap, but this blockbuster CD should
guarantee him a nomination next time out.
Check out Amazon.com's full list of Grammy winners:
CDs ON Sale!
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Sub"
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Imx "Introducing Imx"
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Inspectah Deck "Uncontrolled Substance"
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Hot Boys "Guerrilla Warfare"
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