Offset), the sensual “Playa’s Ball” (fea-turing Rick Ross) and the Anderson .Paak-assisted album opener, “Feel the Vibe,” which pays homage to bonding with family over soul food, Al Green and weed. A six-time Grammy nomi-
nee, BJ the Chicago Kid received his first nod in 2014 for his contribution to ScHoolboy Q’s “Studio” (best rap/sung collaboration).Painted
LUCKY DAYEDaye’s debut album received four Grammy nominations, all of which are in the R&B categories. One of the most impressive releases from a newcomer this year, the album pays
homage to the great funk and soul of previous decades. It’s hard to believe the singer spent most of his child-hood in a home where he wasn’t allowed to listen to music. Follow-ing Painted, Daye told Billboard he
taught himself melodies by reading Dr. Seuss books. Standout songs on the album include lead single “Roll Some Mthe best R&B song and best R&B per-formance categories, as well as “Real o,” which garnered nods in
Games,” which is nominated for best traditional R&B performance.Ella MaiELLA MAIAt the Grammy ceremony in February,Ella Mbreakout single “Boo’d Up,” (best R&B song). This year, her 2018 self-titled debut album (released after the eligi-bility period ended for the 61st annual Grammys) is nominated for best R&B ai won her first award for her
album. Featuring singles “Trip” and “Shot Clock,” the project showed the London-born singer’s success among R&B fans with “Boo’d Up” wasn’t just a fluke. Executive-produced by DJ-producer Mustard, the man who
discovered Mshe was posting on Instagram, the album features appearances from John Legend, Chris Brown and H.E.R.PAUL ai from the cover songs
PJ MORTONPJ Mthe singer’s frustrations with racism in America and President Trump (“Mmentator Angela Rye), a cover of AGA?” features political com-orton’s latest solo project tackles
a Gap Band classic (“Yearning for Your Love”) and an ode to late rap-per Nipsey Hussle (“Buy Back the Block”). The lattermost song memo-rializes Nipsey with a rendition of a brass line that recalls jazz funerals in
MPaulGrammy-nominated collaboration with JoJo. Rapsody, Jazmine Sul-livan and Tobe Nwingwe also make appearances on the album. orton’s hometown of New Orleans. also features “Say So,” Morton’sVenturaANDERSON .PAAKAnderson .Paak has released two albums in a six-month period — both collaborations with Dr. Dre. The more soulful offering of the two, Ventura,
features a stellar list of collabora-tors, including Smokey Robinson, Lalah Hathaway, Jazmine Sullivan, Sonyae, Brandy, Nate Dogg and André 3000. The multi-instrumentalist has garnered four Grammy nominations
since 2016, including a best new artist nod. His song “Bubblin” tied with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake’s “King’s Dead,” in February for the best rap performance Grammy.Black Panther offering,R&B
Emily King at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1.Mai at Coachella in Indio, Calif., on April 12.
GRAMMYAWARDS
Wthe Grammys will make this year?H.E.R. hat’s the biggest change you hope “I would love to see more of
the R&B categories on the broadcast. The world should see everyone celebrating their weverybody works hard. I would also ins because
like to see legends performour future legends and connecting those dots so the world can also see where the magic came froming w.”ith
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