JAY-Z continues to rewrite the music history books more than 25 years into his illustrious career. Thanks to a pair of features, Hov received three more Grammy nominations, with the full list being released by the Recording Academy on Tuesday (November 23).
With 81, 82, and 83 nominations under his belt, the Brooklyn billionaire has surpassed Quincy Jones as the most-nominated artist in Grammy history.
Jay got two of his 2021 Best Rap Song nominations by appearing alongside Nas on DMX’s “Bath Salts” and then on Kanye West’s Donda highlight “Jail.” The Donda LP by Yeezy is also nominated for Album of the Year. With 75 nominations and 22 Grammy wins, Kanye West isn’t far behind Hov.
The voting procedure, according to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., “is actually evaluating music and not getting caught up in the reputations of any other outside noise or any history of musicians.” “With that in mind, I believe they’re voting for things they consider to be exceptional.”
Hov’s most recent accomplishment was a surprise Grammy triumph for his co-writing credits on Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé’s “Savage” in the Best Rap Song category at last year’s award show. If “Jail” wins in February, JAY-Z may make it back-to-back as a featured artist in the Best Rap Song category.
JAY-Z has won 23 Grammy Awards (the most of any rapper), the first of which was for Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life in the Best Rap Album category at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1998. Hov was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October, adding to his list of accomplishments.