The Bigger Picture Podcast Breaks Down Grammy Bias, Artist Production, and Hip-Hop's Future

The Bigger Picture Podcast Recap: Grammy Snubs, Kendrick Lamar, and Shaboozey's Rise

The latest episode of "The Bigger Picture" podcast saw hosts DJ Hed, Elliot Wilson, and Jeremy dive into some of the most contentious and intriguing stories in music right now. With the Grammys approaching, they focused heavily on the importance of artist production as highlighted by DJ Hed's praise for Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar's influence on the future of hip-hop, and the glaring Grammy snubs that continue to frustrate the music community.

Debate Over Grammy Rap Album Nominations

One of the most heated segments involved Elliot Wilson pointing out a glaring inconsistency in the Grammy nominations. He questioned why the Best Rap Album category only had five nominees, while other genres received eight slots each. This imbalance was noted as a troubling sign that rap, despite its cultural dominance, continues to be overlooked.

Elliot wasn’t alone in this critique—DJ Hed and Jeremy both voiced their frustrations. "It’s genre discrimination, plain and simple," Elliot said. DJ Hed agreed, lamenting that the Grammys always seem to have a narrow approach when it comes to celebrating hip-hop.

DJ Hed on Ab-Soul and Artist Production

DJ Hed had high praise for Ab-Soul, touching on the importance of full-spectrum production in music. He emphasized that artists like Ab-Soul are more than just rappers—their work needs to be shaped sonically, vocally, and emotionally by the right producers. "Very few artists are both great song and album artists," DJ Hed stated, suggesting that the role of producers in an artist’s career is crucial but often underappreciated. This discussion spotlighted the deep, often invisible work that goes into crafting memorable music beyond the vocals.

Kanye and Drake: Two Untouchable Discographies

Jeremy brought up a lighter yet insightful conversation around which artists' discographies he would choose to keep in their entirety if he had to. Without hesitation, Jeremy picked Kanye West and Drake, citing their consistent impact on culture and the breadth of their discographies. This choice was telling of their influence and raised an interesting debate about which artists truly define the past decade of hip-hop. "If I’m stuck on an island, I’m listening to Kanye and Drake," Jeremy joked, reflecting the iconic status these two hold.

Kendrick Lamar’s Influence on the Future of Hip-Hop

The group also touched on the cultural impact of Kendrick Lamar, especially with his recent releases that focus on authenticity and vulnerability. Jeremy predicted that Kendrick’s willingness to share personal truths would influence an entire generation of artists. "A lot of albums will be inspired by Kendrick’s honesty," Jeremy noted, hinting that the future of rap might steer towards more introspective and genuine storytelling—a trend Kendrick has been a catalyst for.

Andre 3000’s Flute Album: The Grammy Nomination Surprise

Andre 3000's recent flute album was also a major talking point—specifically its Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. The hosts were divided, with DJ Hed questioning whether anyone genuinely listened to the album from beginning to end. He called it "a beautiful piece of art but not a typical album experience." Jeremy, on the other hand, applauded its creativity while acknowledging the unlikeliness of it being mainstream-friendly. "I challenge anybody to find someone who’s listened to that whole album," DJ Hed quipped, sparking laughter.

Kendrick Lamar: Grammy Nomination Domination

Kendrick Lamar's track "Not Like Us" has taken the industry by storm, garnering several Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance. Jeremy suggested that despite the critical acclaim, Kendrick would not sweep every category due to an industry bias against West Coast rap. "I don’t see him sweeping because people still don’t like the West Coast like that," Jeremy commented, acknowledging the broader biases that often shape these awards.

DJ Hed praised "Not Like Us" as a unifying track for the West Coast, both in its content and impact. He described the song as "the kill shot, the finishing move," and highlighted its importance not just as a diss track but as a cultural moment that brought a region together. It’s clear that Kendrick’s music still resonates deeply within the community, and the Grammy attention only amplifies his influence.

Shaboozey’s Unprecedented Rise

The hosts also touched on Shaboozey’s meteoric rise with his latest track, which spent 17 weeks at the number one spot. DJ Hed went so far as to call Shaboozey’s success "insanely crazy," emphasizing that no one had seen an artist of his background break into country music so forcefully since Lil Nas X. The group discussed the barriers Shaboozey had broken, comparing it to the challenges faced by artists like Beyoncé when stepping into country music’s historically closed-off scene.

DJ Hed noted, "Shaboozey has been uncompromising in his art, and he’s showing everyone that there’s no ceiling if you stick to your vision." The conversation acknowledged that his achievements were a testament to persistence and highlighted the importance of authentic representation in genres outside of traditional hip-hop.

The Grammy Snubs and Predictions

As the episode wound down, the hosts shared their thoughts on some major Grammy snubs, particularly highlighting Schoolboy Q. DJ Hed felt strongly that Schoolboy Q’s recent work was deserving of at least a nomination, saying, "It’s the biggest snub to me this year." They talked about how the Grammy system is skewed toward artists who have already established themselves rather than emerging talent.

Jeremy added that this year’s Best Rap Album nominees didn’t truly reflect the best of hip-hop. "This isn’t indicative of what happened in hip-hop this year," he argued, advocating for names like Vince Staples and Rap City to have been included instead of the usual Grammy darlings. DJ Hed agreed, criticizing the system for being too reliant on familiar names and not taking enough risks.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

The episode wrapped up with speculation about Grammy night itself. Would Kendrick Lamar attend, given his packed schedule leading up to the Super Bowl? Jeremy seemed confident, despite not having inside information. "I believe Kendrick Lamar will be there," he said, suggesting that a Kendrick appearance could mean big wins for the West Coast legend.

The hosts predicted that Kendrick would take home at least three awards, though they were less certain about which categories. Meanwhile, DJ Hed made a compelling case for Shaboozey winning Song of the Year, saying, "No one has had the kind of year Shaboozey’s had—not even Kendrick." As they closed out, it was clear that they’re all eager to see how this year’s Grammy Awards play out and what it means for the future of hip-hop.

This episode of "The Bigger Picture" was a passionate, no-holds-barred critique of the music industry, its biases, and its champions. From celebrating Ab-Soul and Shaboozey to questioning the fairness of Grammy nominations, the conversation was both insightful and deeply rooted in love for the culture.