“Igor” ticks many of the same boxes as previous best rap album Grammy winners, and then some: It was a critically lauded release that also enjoyed considerable commercial success, becoming Tyler’s first No. Tyler, the Creator’s “Igor” feels like a shoo-in for a nomination in the category and a major threat to win. Cardi B made history this past February as the first female solo artist to cross the finish line to the grand prize, for her 2018 debut “Invasion of Privacy.” (Lauryn Hill previously won as a member of Fugees, whose “The Score” scored in 1997.) Next year’s best rap album might be history in the making once again. Since the Recording Academy introduced the best rap album Grammy category in 1996, male stars - especially six-time winner Eminem - have dominated the rap race.
