Quantcast
RELATED

From Pop to Jazz, to Hip-Hop and R&B, with a dash of Urban Contemporary, Black artists showed up and out in 2018.


With Janelle Monáe dropping her alter ego and delivering some ravenous, android funk, Cardi B's bloody-shoed boasts, and an all-star force representing for Wakanda, 2018 wrapped up to be one of the best years for Black artists.

Though vastly different in tone and technique, Black artists echoed similar themes of Black American political disillusionment, good and bad relationships, female empowerment, the struggle for higher standards, and the pressure to maintain an authentic version of oneself. With the 61st Grammy Awards coming up, hosted by 15-time Grammy award-winner, Alicia Keys, check out the list below to discover the innovative, formidable Black artists nominated this year:

H.E.R.

Nominated for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album

Gabriella Wilson, also known as H.E.R., rose to fame by participating in 2009's Radio Disney's Next Big Thing. Now, she has proven herself to be one of R&B's biggest artist with her release of her self-titled album, H.E.R.. Showcasing many shades of love and heartbreak, H.E.R. also shows that she has agency and self-empowerment. Nominated this year for five Grammys, H.E.R. shows that by purposely lacking exposure, hiding her face, and insisting on letting the music be the most important thing, is, in fact, what is best.

Top Songs: "Focus," "Every Kind of Way," "Best Part" (ft. Daniel Caesar), and "Losing"

The Grammys airs on Sunday, February 10 at 5 pm PST/8 pm EST.

 

RELATED

 
ALSO ON XONECOLE
The Final Mercury Retrograde Of 2024 Is Here—How This Bold Energy Will Shift Your Perspective

The final Mercury retrograde of the year arrives this month, and this is an opportunity to close one chapter and prepare for a new one. Mercury retrogrades are the time of the year when you take a step back, assess where your life currently is, and be a little more flexible with how things are playing out for you. When Mercury is in retrograde, miscommunications and misdirections are more likely; however, this isn’t the time to fear where you are headed; it’s more about looking at things from a different perspective right now.

KEEP READINGShow less
Sagittarius-zodiac-sign-December-2024-horoscopes

December is about creating magic in your life. Things are coming full circle as we close out the year, and there is a lot of love to tend to, priorities to maintain, and success to obtain. We have a few planets going direct this month signaling a moving forward and an overcoming of obstacles. December is typically the month to wind down and prepare for the new year, but there is work to do this month and intentions to manifest.

KEEP READINGShow less
LATEST POSTS