This year, the academy has inducted the recordings of a number of African American acts into its Grammy Hall of Fame, including Public Enemy’s classic 1988 album “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.”
Public Enemy’s “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” did not receive a Grammy nomination at the time of release, despite the album being praised for its strong politically charged lyricism. But now, the group will receive Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy.
Other inductees include “The King Cole Trio” by legendary jazz musician Nat King Cole, “I’m a Man” by rock and roll musician Bo Diddley, “Carolina Shout” by pianist James Price Johnson, “Devil Got My Woman” by blues musician Skip James, the self-titled album by blues musician and film composer Taj Mahal, and “Zodiac Suite” by jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams.
Each year, recordings from various artists are voted on by a special member committee. The Recording Academy national board of trustees then gives the final approval for these recordings to be placed in the Grammy’s Hall of Fame. These inductees will be added to displays in the Grammy Museum.
