\n<\/p>\n
In an especially strong category, two albums stand apart<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\tThis year\u2019s Best Rap Album race should come down to lyrical titans Kendrick Lamar<\/a> and Clipse<\/a>, even if the other three nominees are all worthy in their own right. <\/p>\n \n\tClipse \u2013 Let God Sort Em Out<\/em> \n\tAccording to Genius VP of Music and Content Rob Markman, the past 12 months in rap have been \u201cthe year of intention,\u201d with artists who \u201chad some pain that they wanted to give, some hope that they wanted to give.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tThat\u2019s the case with albums from Lamar and Clipse, as well as J.I.D\u2019s God Does Like Ugly<\/em>. (J.I.D has long been a respected lyricist too.) Markman is also impressed with the growth that Tyler, the Creator has shown on Chromakopia,<\/em> which once again reflects the best of his lush, layered production chops.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tWhoever wins or doesn\u2019t, Mark\u00adman is adamant that trophies don\u2019t define us: \u201cPhife Dawg said, \u2018I never let a statue tell me how nice I am.\u2019\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\t\tThe Nominees\t<\/h2>\n
GloRilla<\/a> \u2013 Glorious<\/em>
J.I.D<\/a> \u2013 God Does Like Ugly<\/em>
Kendrick Lamar \u2013 GNX<\/em>
Tyler, the Creator \u2013 Chromakopia<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\tThe Lowdown\t<\/h2>\n