Black women are the heart of music. From gospel, jazz and funk to R&B and hip-hop, we have shaped a multitude of genres by sharing our unique experiences and perspectives. With this rich history of musical excellence, it’s only right that we’re acknowledged for our cultural advancements. The 2021 Grammy Awards may be one such instance of us getting our just due as artists, as a variety of Black women across genres have been nominated.
After the collective trauma we’ve face this year in the wake of COVID-19, social unrest and the uncertainty we once faced regarding the 2020 presidential election, we can definitely say that we deserve this joy.
We’re excited to see names we’ve come to adore on the list (Mavis Staples, Beyoncé and Meshell Ndegeocello) artists we’ve championed since we first saw them (Chika, Mahalia, Jhené Aiko) as well as women who absolutely skyrocketed to superstardom over the course of the year (Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat). Each musician is special and represents the breadth of talent that Black women possess.
Singer/songwriter H.E.R. spoke out about her three Grammy nods on Instagram, writing, “WOWWWWW. SO GRATEFUL!”
H.E.R. also talked about her various teams, as well as the fact that she’s racked up an impressive number of nominations in just a few short years. “Shout out to the teams! 13 nominations in 3 years!,” the “Damage” singer noted. Fellow nominated singer Mahalia shared a similar sentiment on social media, saying, “[C]an’t get over today. [W]ont ever get over today. [M]y heart is bursting.”
We feel—and share—the excitement for all the brilliant women up for awards; we’ve compiled a list of all of the Black women who are nominated for 2021 Grammys, which will be hosted by Trevor Noah. Scroll to see who all may get a gold gramophone on January 31.
