Music

The Grammys’ New Best Progressive R&B Album Category Is Here, And It’s Awesome

Getty Image / Uproxx Studios The new category revamps the Academy’s previous attempts at honoring hip-hop-influenced R&B. …

The Grammys have a new category this year. In an effort to better recognize the increasing breadth and variety of modern R&B, they’ve split the R&B Album category into two: Best Progressive R&B and Best R&B. The new range allows them to nominate more artists — five each — and give the nod to non-traditional contemporary R&B artists who aren’t forced to compete with genre mainstays like Alicia Keys and John Legend.

Although the Grammys have tried similar moves in the past, this year’s move is timely, as the style of some R&B has been reshaped by contributions from alt-rock, ambient music, hip-hop, EDM, trap, and other styles to make it something far more futuristic but still rooted in the tenets of the sound established in the late ’80s and early ’90s. From 2003 to 2011, more hip-hop-influenced albums could be found under Best Contemporary R&B Album, but they were shifted back to the main category after 2011. The new category was created as Best Urban Contemporary Album, but that name was phased out as a result of longstanding criticisms and the industry-wide revamping of “Urban” classifications after this summer’s “Blackout Tuesday.”

According to the Recording Academy, the new category “is intended to highlight albums that include the more progressive elements of R&B and may include samples and elements of hip-hop, rap, dance, and electronic music. It may also incorporate production elements found in pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk, and alternative.” For its inaugural clutch of nominees, the Academy has acknowledged Chloe X Halle, Jhené Aiko, Free Nationals, Robert Glasper, and Thundercat. The traditional category includes Ant Clemons, Giveon, Gregory Porter, John Legend, and Luke James.

Speaking of Robert Glasper, the accomplished pianist/producer is planning his eighth annual Grammy Jam to coincide with 2021 Grammy Awards, gathering together some of the biggest names in R&B, jazz, and hip-hop for a special night of music. Check out the video from the 2020 edition above.

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Celebrity

Lil Durk Turns to Malcolm X as Bond Hearing Looms

Lil Durk is facing another key moment in his ongoing legal battles, and a recent social media post shows the Chicago rapper is focused on endurance as his next court date approaches.

On Saturday (September 19), Durk posted an image of Malcolm X on his Instagram Story with a motivational message about the power of a person’s words and lasting purpose. DJ Akademiks shared the message on Instagram. The post references the civil rights activist’s legacy, but the wording does not appear to be an actual quote from Malcolm X.

Durk has financed and organized multiple violent episodes through his OTF collective. His legal team is expected to seek his release at a hearing later this month. He has denied the charges. Prosecutors are expected to oppose bond, setting up another legal skirmish between the two sides.

The hearing also comes after Durk’s recent acquittal in his murder-for-hire case. He has been in custody since his arrest in October 2024, and the court has denied him bond throughout the murder-for-hire trial process. His acquittal could affect the separate VICAR (Violent Crimes in the Aid of Racketeering) case, but the upcoming November hearing remains fluid.

The overall Lil Durk case has been a lot of talk online, as fans have reacted to the allegations, the media coverage, and the ongoing loyalty-versus-so-called-snitching debates. The case has already ignited a lot of chatter outside the courtroom even as the legal process plays out.

For now, Durk’s latest post offers an insight into the message he is choosing to put out publicly: resilience, purpose, and the idea that a message can continue beyond the person delivering it. His bond hearing is coming up, so the next phase of the case will unfold, focusing on what both his defense team and prosecutors will present.

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Glasses Malone Criticizes P-Lo Over Drake Collaboration Amidst Lamar Feud

Glasses Malone and P-Lo have resurrected a long standing West Coast debate, reigniting the Bay Area vs. Los Angeles loyalty issue after a discussion of Drake’s “2 Hard 4 The Radio.”

The track, which appeared on Drake’s ICEMAN, became one of the project’s more divisive songs because of its West Coast bounce, various disses, and its timing after Drake’s battle with Kendrick Lamar. Its Bay Area tribute to Mac Dre quickly sparked talk of regional loyalty, partly because Bay Area producer P-Lo co produced the song.

That conversation resurfaced during P-Lo’s appearance on the Back On Figg podcast, when Glasses Malone grilled the producer on his decision to work with Drake. In a phone call, Glasses claimed P-Lo’s participation was another case of selling out to the West Coast, stating that the region should be unified in the face of its enemies.

P-Lo saw it differently. He said he wasn’t even in the studio with Drake and had no idea about the disses on the track. He also emphasized that he’s in the music business and pointed to his direct relationship with E-40 instead of Kendrick Lamar.

Drake may have other things to worry about. A new snippet featuring Pusha T taking shots at Drake allegedly leaked online over the weekend as part of a wider leak of Drake’s project with Pharrell. Some fans dismissed the material entirely, while others wondered if the recording was fake

Kendrick, meanwhile, is setting his sights on another West Coast artist. He has been involved in making AZ Chike’s No Rest For The Wicked, guiding Chike through the album’s development. But despite that involvement, Kendrick did not appear on the project as a featured artist, as some fans had hoped.

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