63rd Annual Grammy Awards (2021) Winners

Check out this list for the general categories for 63rd Annual Grammy Awards as well as a couple other categories ranging from pop, rap, r&b, reggae, electronic, alternative, film, and gospel! 

Album of the Year 

Folklore - Taylor Swift
Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, producers; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Jonathan Low & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

Chilombo - Jhené Aiko
Fisticuffs & Julian-Quán Việt Lê, producers; Fisticuffs, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Zeke Mishanec, Christian Plata & Gregg Rominiecki, engineers/mixers; Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Maclean Robinson & Brian Keith Warfield, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer

Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition) - Black Pumas
Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; Eric Burton & Adrian Quesada, songwriters; JJ Golden, mastering engineer

Everyday Life - Coldplay
Daniel Green, Bill Rahko & Rik Simpson, producers; Mark “Spike” Stent, engineer/mixer; Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer

Djesse Vol.3 - Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier, producer; Ben Bloomberg & Jacob Collier, engineers/mixers; Jacob Collier, songwriter; Chris Allgood & Emily Lazar, mastering engineers

Women In Music PT. III - HAIM
Rostam Batmanglij, Danielle Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, producers; Rostam Batmanglij, Jasmine Chen, John DeBold, Matt DiMona, Tom Elmhirst, Joey Messina-Doerning & Ariel Rechtshaid, engineers/mixers; Rostam Batmanglij, Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer

Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa
Lorna Blackwood & Koz, producers; Josh Gudwin & Cameron Gower Poole, engineers/mixers; Clarence Coffee Jr. & Dua Lipa, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

Hollywood’s Bleeding - Post Malone
Louis Bell & Frank Dukes, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

Record of the Year 

Everything I Wanted - Billie Eilish
Finneas O'Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski & Finneas O'Connell, engineers/mixers; John Greenham, mastering engineer

BLACK PARADE - Beyoncé
Beyoncé & Derek Dixie, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

Colors - Black Pumas
Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; JJ Golden, mastering engineer

Rockstar - DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
SethinTheKitchen, producer; Derek "MixedByAli" Ali, Chris Dennis, Liz Robson & Chris West, engineers/mixers; Glenn A Tabor III, mastering engineer

Say So - Doja Cat
Tyson Trax, producer; Clint Gibbs & Kalani Thompson, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa
Caroline Ailin & Ian Kirkpatrick, producers; Josh Gudwin, Drew Jurecka & Ian Kirkpatrick, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

Circles - Post Malone
Louis Bell, Frank Dukes & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

Savage - Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
Beyoncé & J. White Did It, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

Song of The Year

I Can’t Breathe - Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

BLACK PARADE - Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim "Kaydence" Krysiuk & Rickie "Caso" Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)

The Box - Larrance Dopson, Samuel Gloade, Rodrick Moore, Adarius Moragne, Eric Sloan & Khirye Anthony Tyler, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)

Cardigan - Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Circles - Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)

Don’t Start Now - Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa & Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)

Everything I Wanted - Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

If The World Was Ending - Julia Michaels & JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels)

Best New Artist  

Megan Thee Stallion

Ingrid Andress

Phoebe Bridgers

Chika

Noah Cyrus

D Smoke

Doja Cat

Best Pop Vocal Album

Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa

Changes - Justin Bieber

Chromatica - Lady Gaga

Fine Line - Harry Styles

Folklore - Taylor Swift

Best Pop Solo Performance 

Watermelon Sugar  - Harry Styles

Yummy - Justin Bieber

Say So - Doja Cat

Everything I Wanted - Billie Eilish

Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa 

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Rain On Me - Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande

Un Dia (One Day) - J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy

Intentions - Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo

Dynamite - BTS

Exile - Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver

Best R&B Performance 

BLACK PARADE - Beyoncé

Lightning & Thunder - Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend

All I Need - Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign

Goat Head - Brittany Howard

See Me - Emily King

Best R&B Traditional Performance 

Anything For You - Ledisi

Sit On Down - The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor

Wonder What She Thinks Of Me - Chloe X Halle

Let Me Go - Mykal Kilgore

Distance - Yebba

Best R&B Song

Better Than I Imagined - Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)

BLACK PARADE - Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim "Kaydence" Krysiuk & Rickie "Caso" Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)

Collide - Sam Barsh, Stacey Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar & Benedetto Rotondi, songwriters (Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG)

Do It - Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch & Vincent Van Den Ende, songwriters (Chloe X Halle)

Slow Down - Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley & H.E.R.)

Best Progressive R&B Album

It Is What It Is - Thundercat

Chilombo - Jhené Aiko

Ungodly Hour - Chloe X Halle

Free Nationals- Free Nationals

F*** Yo Feelings - Robert Glasper

Best R&B Album

Bigger Love - John Legend

Happy 2 Be Here - Ant Clemons

Take Time - Giveon

To Feel Love/d - Luke James

All Rise - Gregory Porter

Best Rap Performance 

Savage - Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé

Deep Reverence - Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle

BOP - DaBaby

Whats Poppin - Jack Harlow

The Bigger Picture - Lil Baby

Dior - Pop Smoke

Best Melodic Rap Performance

Lockdown - Anderson .Paak

Rockstar - DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch

Laugh Now Cry Later - Drake Featuring Lil Durk

The Box - Roddy Ricch

Highest In The Room - Travis Scott

Best Rap Song 

Savage - Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe & Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé)

The Bigger Picture - Dominique Jones, Noah Pettigrew & Rai'shaun Williams, songwriters (Lil Baby)

The Box - Larrance Dopson, Samuel Gloade, Rodrick Moore, Adarius Moragne, Eric Sloan & Khirye Anthony Tyler, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)

Laugh Now Cry Later - Durk Banks, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Ron LaTour & Ryan Martinez, songwriters (Drake Featuring Lil Durk)

Rockstar - Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Ross Joseph Portaro IV & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch)

Best Rap Album

King’s Disease - Nas

Black Habits - D SMOKE

Alfredo - Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist

A Written Testimony - Jay Electronica

The Allegory - Royce 5’9"

Best Gospel Performance/Song 

Movin' On- Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music; Darryl L. Howell, Jonathan Caleb McReynolds, Kortney Jamaal Pollard & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters

Wonderful Is Your Name - Melvin Crispell III

Release (Live) - Ricky Dillard Featuring Tiff Joy; David Frazier, songwriter

Come Together - Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Present: The Good News; Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins & Jazz Nixon, producers; Lashawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Lecrae Moore & Jazz Nixon, songwriters

Won’t Let Go - Travis Greene; Travis Greene, songwriter

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

There Was Jesus - Zach Williams & Dolly Parton; Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters

The Blessing (Live) - Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship; Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Carnes & Steven Furtick, songwriters

Sunday Morning - Lecrae Featuring Kirk Franklin; Denisia Andrews, Jones Terrence Antonio, Saint Bodhi, Rafael X. Brown, Brittany Coney, Kirk Franklin, Lasanna Harris, Shama Joseph, Stuart Lowery, Lecrae Moore & Nathanael Saint-Fleur, Songwriters

Holy Water - We The Kingdom; Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash & Scott Cash, songwriters

Famous For (I Believe) - Tauren Wells Featuring Jenn Johnson; Chuck Butler, Krissy Nordhoff, Jordan Sapp, Alexis Slifer & Tauren Wells, songwriters

Best Gospel Album 

Gospel According To PJ - PJ Morton

2econd Wind: Ready - Anthony Brown & group therAPy

My Tribute - Myron Butler

Choirmaster - Ricky Dillard

KIERRA - Kierra Sheard

Best Reggae Album

Got To Be Tough - Toots & The Maytals

Upside Down 2020 -Buju Banton

Higher Place - Skip Marley

It All Comes Back To Love - Maxi Priest

Got To Be Tough - Toots & The Maytals

One World - The Wailers

Best Global Music Album

Twice As Tall - Burna Boy

Fu Chronicles - Antibalas

Agora - Bebel Gilberto

Love Letters - Anoushka Shankar

Amadjar - Tinariwen

Best Music Video

Brown Skin Girl - Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & WizKid
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Jenn Nkiru, video directors; Astrid Edwards, Aya Kaida, Jean Mougin, Nathan Scherrer & Erinn Williams, video producers

Life Is Good - Future Featuring Drake
Julien Christian Lutz, video director; Harv Glazer, video producer

Lockdown - Anderson .Paak
Dave Meyers, video director; Nathan Scherrer, video producer

Adore You - Harry Styles
Dave Meyers, video director; Nathan Scherrer, video producer

Goliath - Woodkid
Yoann Lemoine, video director; Horace de Gunzbourg, video producer

Best Music Film

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice - Linda Ronstadt
Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, video directors; Michele Farinola & James Keach, video producers

Beastie Boys Story- Beastie Boys
Spike Jonze, video director; Amanda Adelson, Jason Baum & Spike Jonze, video producers

Black Is King - Beyoncé
Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Beyonce Knowles Carter & Kwasi Fordjour, video directors; Lauren Baker, Akin Omotoso, Nathan Scherrer, Jeremy Sullivan & Erinn Williams, video producers

We Are Freestyle Love Supreme - Freestyle Love Supreme
Andrew Fried, video director; Andrew Fried, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sarina Roma, Jenny Steingart & Jon Steingart, video producers

That Little Ol' Band From Texas - ZZ Top
Sam Dunn, video director; Scot McFadyen, video producer

Best Dance Recording

10% - Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis
Kaytranada, producer; Neal H. Pogue, mixer

On My Mind - Diplo & SIDEPIECE
Diplo & SIDEPIECE, producers; Luca Pretolesi, mixer

My High - Disclosure Featuring Aminé & Slowthai
Guy Lawrence & Howard Lawrence, producers; Guy Lawrence, mixer

The Difference - Flume Featuring Toro y Moi
Flume, producer; Eric J Dubowsky, mixer

Both Of Us - Jayda G
Fred Again.. & Jayda G, producers; Fred Again.. & Jayda G, mixers

Best Dance/Electronic Album

BUBBA - Kaytranada

Kick I - Arca

Planet's Mad - Baauer

ENERGY - Disclosure

Good Faith - Madeon

Best Alternative Music Album

Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple

Hyperspace - Beck

Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers

Jaime - Brittany Howard

The Slow Rush - Tame Impala

Music In Film: 'Black Is King'

It has been a year since Beyoncé released the ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ album. An album that we warmly referred to as “A Quintessential Love Letter to Africa”. The visual album for ‘The Gift’ has been titled, ‘Black Is King’ and is now streaming exclusively through Disney Plus. A deluxe version of ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ album is also available now as well.

Now I must say, I have watched ‘Black Is King’ too many times to count this weekend. The Parkwood Entertainment film produced and directed by Beyoncé with co-director Kwasi Fordjour exceeded my expectations. Beyoncé continues to raise the bar with every project that she creates, as she continues to reinvent the definition of excellence. 

‘Black Is King’ commands the power and respect that we as black people were born and instilled with in the beginning of time in Africa. The film takes us on an empowering and colorful journey of our ancestry and the African Diaspora reimagined. ‘Black Is King’ was filmed across Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, The US, and The UK. While filming in all of these locations, casting included native talent for dancers, models, and actors alike. 

Several of the musical artists that were featured on ‘The Gift’ album were also brought to the forefront across the entirety of the film. African artists that made appearances were Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Lord Afrixana, Yemi Alade, Shatta Wale, Salatiel, Wizkid, Busiswa, and Moonchild Sanelly. And rightfully so, in curating the visuals in this manner viewers are able to digest the rich and royal culture of Africa in its truest form. Most importantly, these African artists are being given the opportunity to be seen and celebrated on a much larger platform authentically. Other special musical appearances were made by JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams, Jessie Reyez, Nija, and Tierra Whack. Additional appearances were Tina Knowles Lawson, Blue Ivy Carter, Rumi Carter, Sir Carter, Kelly Rowland, Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Adut Akech, and Aweng Chuol. 

The visuals for ‘Black Is King’ were awe-inspiring; the unison of so many black bodies, brilliant wardrobe looks, traditional tribal dances, and breathtaking scenic locations. These visuals paired with the music of the album, narration by Beyoncé, and poetry spoken by Warsan Shire definitely struck all the feels and tears were shed!! Across social media, viewers were sharing their fervor for the inspirational moments that caused them to feel seen like never before. Africans and black culture has and will always be undeniably regal, and these visuals are the reminder for everyone who has forgotten or denied this fact through history. To see a film crafted in this manner that presents the innocence and beauty of black children for all of us to see on a large scale is so necessary. For this film to be available for black children to see images of people that look like them is both comforting and encouraging and will likely aid in stronger self-esteem and self-worth. This is the representation that a lot us did not see in our formative years which is why this film is so significant. 

‘Black Is King’ is the magnification of African culture, pure joy, and the history of black people across the diaspora. As black people we should remember that we are Kings, despite systemic oppression. In addition, our ancestors and the orishas are present as protection as we navigate this world. As Kings we should continue to recognize our potential and the generational wealth that we derive from and we should continue to build for ourselves and those that come after us. 

“Let Black be synonymous with Glory” – Beyoncé

‘Black Is King’ is available NOW only on Disney+. Below you can watch the full visual for “Already” and “Brown Skin Girl” to get a glimpse of the greatness that ‘Black Is King’ provides. 

62nd Annual Grammy Awards (2020) Winners

Check out this list for the general categories for 62nd Annual Grammy Awards as well as a couple other categories ranging from pop, hip hop, r&b, reggae, film, and gospel!

Album of the Year

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? - Billie Eilish

i,i - Bon Iver

Norman F******* Rockwell! - Lana Del Rey

Thank u, next  - Ariana Grande

I Used to Know Her - H.E.R.

7 - Lil Nas X

Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) - Lizzo

Father of the Bride - Vampire Weekend

Record of the Year

Bad Guy - Billie Eilish

Hey, Ma - Bon Iver

7 Rings - Ariana Grande

Hard Place - H.E.R.

Talk - Khalid

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Truth Hurts - Lizzo

Sunflower - Post Malone & Swae Lee

Song of The Year

Bad Guy - Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish) *Can be viewed above

Always Remember Us This Way - Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Lady Gaga)

Bring My Flowers Now - Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)

Hard Place - Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris. H.E.R. & Rodney Jerkins, songwriters (H.E.R.)

Lover - Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)

Norman F— Rockwell! - Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)

Someone You Loved - Tom Barnes, Lewis Capaldi, Pete Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn & Sam Roman, songwriters (Lewis Capaldi)

Truth Hurts - Steven Cheung, Eric Frederic, Melissa Jefferson & Jesse Saint John, songwriters (Lizzo)

Best New Artist

Billie Eilish

Black Pumas

Lil Nas X

Lizzo

Maggie Rogers

Rosalía

Tank and the Bangas

Yola

Best Pop Vocal Album

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? - Billie Eilish

The Lion King: The Gift - Beyoncé

Thank U, Next - Ariana Grande

No. 6 Collaborations Project - Ed Sheeran

Lover - Taylor Swift

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Boyfriend - Ariana Grande & Social House

Sucker - Jonas Brothers

Sunflower - Post Malone & Swae Lee

Señorita - Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Best R&B Performance

Come Home - Anderson .Paak featuring André 3000

Love Again - Daniel Ceasar & Brandy

Could’ve Been - H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller

Exactly How I Feel - Lizzo featuring Gucci Mane

Roll Some Mo - Lucky Daye

Best R&B Traditional Performance

Jerome - Lizzo

Time Today - BJ the Chicago Kid 

Steady Love - India.Arie 

Real Games - Lucky Daye 

Built for Love - PJ Morton featuring Jazmine Sullivan

Best R&B Song

Say So - PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring JoJo)

Could’ve Been - Dernst Emile II, David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, H.E.R. & Hue “Soundzfire” Strother, songwriters (H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller) 

Look At Me Now - Emily King & Jeremy Most, songwriters (Emily King) 

No Guidance - Chris Brown, Tyler James Bryant, Nija Charles, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Michee Patrick Lebrun, Joshua Lewis, Noah Shebib & Teddy Walton, songwriters (Chris Brown Featuring Drake) 

Roll Some Mo - David Brown, Dernst Emile II & Peter Lee Johnson, songwriters (Lucky Daye)

Best Urban Contemporary Album

Cuz I Love You - Lizzo

Apollo XXI - Steve Lacy 

Overload - Georgia Anne Muldrow 

Saturn - NAO 

Being Human in Public - Jessie Reyez

Best R&B Album

Ventura - Anderson .Paak

1123 - BJ the Chicago Kid 

Painted - Lucky Daye 

Ella Mai - Ella Mai Jerom

Paul - PJ Morton

Best Rap Performance

WINNER: Come Home - Anderson .Paak featuring André 3000

Love Again - Daniel Ceasar & Brandy

Could’ve Been - H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller

Exactly How I Feel - Lizzo featuring Gucci Mane

Roll Some Mo - Lucky Daye

Best Rap/Sung Performance

Higher - DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend

Drip Too Hard - Lil Baby & Gunna

Panini - Lil Nas X

Ballin - Mustard featuring Roddy Ricch

The London - Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott

Best Rap Performance

Racks in the Middle - Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy

Middle Child - J. Cole 

Suge - DaBaby 

Down Bad - Dreamville featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EarthGang & Young Nudy 

Clout - Offset featuring Cardi B

Best Rap Song

A Lot - Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White, songwriters (21 Savage Featuring J. Cole)

Bad Idea - Chancelor Bennett, Cordae Dunston, Uforo Ebong & Daniel Hackett, songwriters (YBN Cordae featuring Chance the Rapper) 

Gold Roses - Noel Cadastre, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Khristopher Riddick-Tynes, William Leonard Roberts II, Joshua Quinton Scruggs, Leon Thomas III & Ozan Yildirim, songwriters (Rick Ross featuring Drake) 

Racks in the Middle - Ermias Asghedom, Dustin James Corbett, Greg Allen Davis, Chauncey Hollis, Jr. & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy) 

Suge - DaBaby, Jetsonmade

Best Rap Album

Igor - Tyler, the Creator

Revenge of the Dreamers III - Dreamville

Championships - Meek Mill

I Am > I Was - 21 Savage

The Lost Boy - YBN Cordae

Best Gospel Performance/Song

Love Theory - Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter 

Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus - Gloria Gaynor featuring Yolanda Adams; Bryan Fowler, Gloria Gaynor & Chris Stevens, songwriters 

See the Light - Travis Greene Featuring Jekalyn Carr 

Speak the Name - Koryn Hawthorne featuring Natalie Grant 

This Is a Move (Live) - Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Tony Brown, Brandon Lake, Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Nate Moore, songwriters

Best Gospel Album

Long Live Love - Kirk Franklin

Goshen - Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers

Tunnel Vision - Gene Moore

Settle Here - William Murphy

Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album - CeCe Winans

Best Reggae Album

Rapture - Koffee 

As I Am - Julian Marley 

The Final Battle: Sly & Robbie vs. Roots Radicss - Sly & Robbie & Roots Radics

Mass Manipulation - Steel Pulse 

More Work to be Done - Third World

Best Music Film

Homecoming
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Ed Burke, video directors; Steve Pamon & Erinn Williams, video producers

Remember My Name
David Crosby
A.J. Eaton, video director; Cameron Crowe, Michele Farinola & Greg Mariotti, video producers

Birth of the Cool
(Miles Davis)
Stanley Nelson, video director; Nicole London, video producer

Shangri-La
(Various Artists)
Jeff Malmberg & Morgan Neville, video directors; Danny Breen, video producer

AnimaThom Yorke
Paul Thomas Anderson, video director; Paul Thomas Anderson, Erica Frauman & Sara Murphy, video producers

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media Best

Chernobyl - Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer 

Avengers: Endgame - Alan Silvestri, composer

Game of Thrones: Season 8 - Ramin Djawadi, composer 

The Lion King - Hans Zimmer, composer 

Mary Poppins Returns - Marc Shaiman, composer

'The Lion King: The Gift' A Quintessential "Love Letter to Africa"

Although ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ album just released this weekend, it has already become The No. 1 album on the charts. In addition to this album going No. 1, it has been trending across all social media platforms with fans raving about all of the songs. This album is authentic and unapologetically rooted in Africa and the history of its people.

The album executive produced by Beyoncé features several African artists and writers from across the world. The album features Nigerian artists like Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage. The album also features Shatta Wale representing Ghana, Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly for South Africa, and Salatiel for Cameroon.

Beyoncé’s “Love Letter to Africa” is empowering, beautiful, uplifting, heart warming, and joyous. The 27 track album is an affirmation and celebration that validates that brown bodies are seen and heard. The writers on this album really did more than what needed to be done! These lyrics are boastful and exude the confidence that we should all have in our culture as black people. The sense of pride in the bloodline of Africa is ensuring and comforting, especially because it was not always cool or celebrated in America to be from Africa or of African descent. Each song has been carefully curated for its audience as individuals; all of the lyrics are truly touching. Beyoncé and these artists are speaking to you, to me, to all of us. Receive the messages of these songs as they will spark an immense fire of burning pride and happiness in you and who you are. 

“Brown Skin Girl” is a track that has been trending on social media with #BrownSkinGirl. The song features, Blue Ivy, Wizkid, SAINt JHN. “Brown Skin Girl” is a song that needs to be added to the archives and utilized as a staple for self love for brown women and girls. The Chorus of “Brown Skin Girl” sings….

“Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
Your back against the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say
Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
The best thing in all the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say”

It’s healing and assuring for brown skin girls everywhere. As a mother, Beyoncé is making sure that her children and all others that are like hers never have to doubt how precious they are. Beyoncé has remained dedicated to utilizing her voice and reach to inform everyone that we are beautiful and perfect just the way we are. Brown girls everywhere can continue to bask in the eloquence of this anthem the same way in which Lupita Nyongo did as she heard Beyoncé’s smooth and deep voice praise her.

It’s awe-inspiring to see that Beyoncé has always celebrated the meaning of being black and educating herself and others about African culture. As a listener, hearing so many nuances, influences, and varying languages from Africa on this album is truly indescribable. To be able to hear and recognize one’s native tongue on a “mainstream” album for the masses across the globe to hear is powerful. 

This album goes beyond acceptance and embraces all of the people of Africa with open arms. Beyoncé is sharing her influence and audience with all of the musicians and writers that she has collaborated with to create this masterpiece. The incorporation of actual African artists is a reminder that cultures can be celebrated alongside the very people that have been steeped in this culture since birth. Not only are these artists being exposed to Beyoncé fans, but also fans of Disney and The Lion King worldwide. People that may not have tuned into The Afrobeat genre on their own are now listening by way of Beyoncé. This is is major! Afrobeat has been soaring outside of Africa in recent years and will only become more influential and most likely become a part of popular culture.

‘The Lion King: The Gift’ is absolutely sensational and liberating. Beyoncé’s vocals are stronger than ever as it pushes and challenges the density and depth of the African instrumentals. Hopefully, Beyoncé will treat fans to performances on a few favorites from this album soon!

Stream the album now!

Stream "Spirit", Beyoncé's Latest Single from 'The Lion King: The Gift' Album

On Tuesday night, the star-studded cast for ‘The Lion King’ gathered for its world premiere at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Beyoncé' graced everyone with her presence last night as she emerged onto the red carpet with her daughter Blue Ivy by her side.

For the live action remake of ‘The Lion King”, Beyoncé' serves as the voice of Nala. The upcoming album ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ has been “produced and curated” by Beyoncé according to a statement from Disney.

Disney also revealed that the soundtrack for this film will feature several “global recording artists and steeped in the sounds of Africa”. In a press release provided by Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé' affirms, "This is sonic cinema," said Beyoncé.  "This is a new experience of storytelling.  I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn't one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat."

‘The Lion King: The Gift” album will release in its entirety on July 19, the same day as the film hits theaters.

In the meantime, stream “Spirit” down below!