Rarely in the history of the Grammy Awards, whose ceremony is set to take place on January 28 in New York, has the musical genre born in the early 1970s in New York been so prominently featured. Alongside Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, nominated seven times, and Childish Gambino, with five nominations, add to the remarkable acknowledgment of this musical genre, as revealed in Tuesday’s announcement.

This recognition marks another milestone for Shawn Carter, Jay-Z’s real name, who has already received 21 Grammy Awards. His latest album, the thirteenth in his discography, titled “4:44,” has achieved both popular and critical success.

The album delves into highly personal themes, notably with the track “Smile,” where Jay-Z addresses his mother Gloria’s homosexuality. The eponymous single, “4:44,” seemingly serves as an apology to his wife, the renowned singer Beyoncé, for past infidelity.

The upcoming ceremony on January 28 could potentially elevate Jay-Z above Beyoncé, who boasts 22 Grammy wins, bringing him closer to the music pop icon Quincy Jones, with 27 victories. The all-time record is held by the Hungarian-born conductor Georg Solti, with an impressive 31 trophies.

Jay-Z’s influence on the 60th edition of the Grammy Awards is undeniable, extending even to the album’s producer, No I.D., who received five nominations.

The Grammy Awards’ nominations and accolades are bestowed by music professionals in the United States, who are members of The Recording Academy. As the ceremony approaches, the anticipation builds for the recognition Jay-Z may receive, potentially solidifying his place in Grammy history and inching him closer to the music industry’s legends.