RICHMOND, Va. — Several Richmond-based and native Virginia performers were nominated for Grammy awards. On Monday, there were several big wins at the 58th Grammy Awards ceremonies.
Artist D’Angelo had three nominations: “Really Love” for “Record of the Year,” “Really Love” as “Best R&B Song” and “Black Messiah” as “Best R&B Album.”
He won for “Best R&B Song” and “Best R&B Album.’
D’Angelo, born Michael E. Archer, was raised in Richmond and had a house in the Chesterfield suburbs. He attended Huguenot High School.
“Black Messiah” is his third album in a career that has spanned more than 20 years. His 1995 debut album, “Brown Sugar,” featured the hit “Lady,” which put him on the R&B map. With “Voodoo,” for which he also won a Grammy, his popularity expanded beyond the R&B genre.
“Black Messiah” follows belatedly on the heels of “Voodoo,” over a decade later, due to a number of factors. He claimed to have developed a substance abuse problem due to issues in his personal life. He has faced several charges in Chesterfield County, for possession of cocaine and marijuana, as well as a DUI charge.
Performer Questlove previously said of D’Angelo’s latest album: “I don’t really want to give a hyperbolic or grandiose statement, but it’s everything. It’s beautiful, it’s ugly, it’s truth, it’s lies. It’s everything.”
Pharrell Williams wins a Grammy
Pharrell Williams, who grew up in Virginia Beach, was nominated for two awards. “Freedom” was up for “Best Music Video” and “Alright,” a collaboration Williams wrote with Kendrick Duckworth and Mark Anthony Spears and that was performed by Kendrick Lamar, was nominated for “Best Rap Song.”
“Alright” brought home the Grammy. Lamar had 11 nominations and five wins at the Grammys; best rap album, best music video, best rap song, best rap collaboration, and best rap performance.
University of Richmond artists in residence Eighth Blackbird
Another local win was scored by Eighth Blackbird, who are Chicago-based but have been long-time artists in residence at the University of Richmond.
They won for “Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.”
Richmond-based Lamb of God was nominated for “Best Metal Performance” with “512,” but Ghost took home that win.
Ralph Stanley from McLure, Va. was nominated for “Best Bluegrass Album” with his “Man of Constant Sorrow.” However, "The Muscle Shoals Recordings," by the Steeldrivers took the award.
Richmond-based Hip Hop Artist Mad Skillz contributed to Nicki Minaj’s “The Pinkprint,” which was nominated for the Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Tappahanock-born Chris Brown was also nominated in the “Rap Collaboration” category. "Only," by Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown lost to “These Walls,” by Kendrick Lamar.
