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Love the Grammys or hate the Grammys (or call them an “inauthentic cheese festival” like Sia once did), at the end of the day, all awards shows are about recognition. This year, Worcester rapper Joyner Lucas pops out on 2019 Grammy nominee list as a major Massachusetts nom, up for “Best Music Video” for “I’m Not Racist.” Since its release in late November of last year, the vid has racked up an impressive 104 million views on YouTube as of print time, and stands out as an explicit commentary on America’s current political climate.
Winners in the same category the past two years were Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar for “Formation” and “Humble,” respectively, and Lucas is up against The Carters, Childish Gambino, Janelle Monáe, and Tierra Whack next year. His track with Eminem “Lucky You” is also up for “Best Rap Song” at the 2019 awards.
Joyner wasn’t alone in getting some nomination props directed at us here in Massachusetts. Stoughton singer Lori McKenna was nominated in the “Best Country Song” category, and Boston sound engineer Chris Johnson’s San Francisco-born metal band Deafheaven were nominated in for “Best Metal Performance.” For the full list of nominees, click here, and check out “I’m Not Racist” again below.