When It’s All Said and Done
Future Grammy Industry Icon Award Winners In Hip Hop
As hip hop legend Jay Z is set to be honored as the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award recipient, an award that honors those for their contributions to music and philanthropy, there are always questions about future artists measuring up to this throne. Of course, hip hop artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, and others have already solidified their places in Hip Hop, therefore they are disqualified from this conversation. However, the other up and coming artists who are filled with this potential, yet still have much to prove are as follows in this order. So we put together the artists who could win the award in 10 years:
4. Vince Staples, 24 (Nominated).
A member of the hip hop trio, Cutthroat boyz, alongside California Rappers Aston Matthews and Joey Fatts, Staples is probably the most unknown rapper on this list. He released his first album entitled Summertime 06’ in 2015 and hasn’t looked back since. Compton born, his authentic attitude and California style separates him from many of the other young artists in the industry today. His newest album, The Big Fish Theory, showcases the progression of this no holds barred attitude as he raps on one of his album’s songs:
“Boy I’m Buoyant, we are
Floating on the peons
Go in ’til they take my bro’nem out them CSCRs
Prison system broken, racial war commotion
Until the president get ashy, Vincent won’t be voting”
If salutations don’t come within that truthfulness, it is bound to happen with his philanthropy. Staples donates and assists for the YMCA program that benefits young people in North Long Beach, his hometown. His hopes for the program participants are to ensure they learn graphic design, music production, film making, and other things related to the arts.
3. Metro Boomin, 24 (Nominated).
Just like statistics are usually stacked against those who drop out of college, as he did, the same will be on this list. Most can’t see this parallel of Metro Boomin and an Industry Icon Award since those in recent times in this category aren’t usually recognized for their craft. This is the exact reason why Metro will be on this rare list, he’s in the right time. Arguably, the most popular music in the world right now is one that Metro headlines in producing, trap.
The 2016 BET Producer of the year unique style has propelled him in the company of those such as Kanye West, Meek Mill, Young Thug, Lil Wayne, and others. His creativity of finding new ways to excite listeners is swiftly becoming legendary along with his way of giving back with the community. In recent years, he has teamed up with Puff Daddy and Nicki Minaj for charity concerts to benefit for college students and scholarships.
Seemingly, is only the beginning because Metro Boomin always want some more.
2. Cardi B, 25 (Nominated).
“I don’t dance now, I make money moves
Say I don’t gotta dance, I make money moves”
These lyrics say more than you think about Cardi B and why she could be the next Grammy Salute to Industry Icons honoree. The Bronx born rapper went from stripping at night clubs to love and hip hop, but is now making history with the longest No.1 single by a female rapper with Bodak Yellow. This is a long shot as she has yet to release an album, but if it is anything like that single, she has nothing to worry about. Like Jay Z, her music inspires all of those who are or had to face hardships and make sacrifices before reaching the fame. Cardi B has now graced the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, models with various fashion lines, and is the hottest artist in 2017.
- Chance the Rapper, 24 (Winner).
Lil Chano from 79th is proven to be ahead of his time. His futuristic style, well-written lyrics, and expression of God are only a few qualities that make him a suitable honoree for the Grammy Industry Icon Award. His 2016 debut album, Coloring Book grossed over 57.3 million times and was number eight on the US Billboard 200. This and is popularity as a rare, independent artist has given hope to other up and coming artists. Chance the Rapper leadership is a profound quality he has and this incredible gift has given him other platforms to showcase his talent such as performing at the NBA ESPYs in honoree to Muhammad Ali and the Obama Foundation community event in Chicago, his hometown.
Chance the Rapper is the youngest to win the Humanitarian Award at BET because of his commitment to the Chicago Public School System and his initial $1 million-dollar donation to the system via his new charity, social works. As Jay Z, he not only shows his commitment to the industry of rap, but all of those around it too. In the words of Chance:
“I don’t make songs for free. I make ’em for freedom.”
Demarcus Fields is currently a senior at Morehouse College. He majors in English and minors in Journalism.
