grammy nominations: chicago edition

This week, the 2017 Grammy Award nominations were announced. Beyonce is now the most nominated artist in Grammy history (not surprising), country artist and underdog, Sturgill Simpson’s “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” was nominated for album of the year, and Late Night Show Host, James Corden, will be the emcee for this year’s awards.

We took a look at the list and found the artists who have Chicago roots. Have a gander at what critics are saying about the albums and artists represented this year at the 2017 Grammy Awards:

Robbie Fulks | Best Folk Album “Upland Stories” + American roots music “Alabama at Night”

“The raucous singer turns thoughtful on his new album. Critic Ken Tucker calls Upland Stories a “marvelous mongrel mixture” of bluegrass banjo-picking, honky-tonk pedal steel and stark folk phrasings.”

— Ken Tucker on NPR’s Fresh Air
Listen to the interview here.

***You can catch Robbie Fulks every Monday night at The Hideout.

Chance the Rapper | Nomination: Best New Artist & Best Rap Album + 3 Writing Credits and 2 Songs

“The new tape has solid hip-hop foundations while showcasing Chance’s growth as an artist and activist over the past three years. Featuring contributions by mainstream icons like Kanye West and Justin Bieber to cult hip-hop heroes, new and old, like Young Thug, Lil Yachty, Jay Electronica and T-Pain, Coloring Book melds genres to widescreen effect. Jazz melodies and gospel motifs also shine through prominently on tracks like How Great and both takes on Blessings.”

— Robert Kelly, The Guardian

Kanye West – Best Rap Album, Best Rap/Sung Performance, Best Rap Performance + 2 Writing Credits

“The world has distracted from Kanye West’s creative process – except, as he shows on The Life of Pablo, distraction is his creative process. This is a messy album that feels like it was made that way on purpose, after the laser-sharp intensity of Yeezus.”

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone

Additional Chicago artist nominations:

Lalah Hathaway – Best traditional R&B performance

Todd Dulaney – Best Gospel Album “A Worshipper’s Heart [Live]”

BJ the Chicago Kid | Best R&B Album,  Best R& B Performance

See all the Grammy Nominations on Billboard.com.