Listen: Minnesota's Grammy nominees show up in some unexpected places
There are quite a number of Minnesotans among the 2017 Grammy Award nominees, which were announced this morning.
Regardless of if you're beaming with homeland pride, you may not be quite as familiar with all the names getting nods. However, being we're a versatile people, we've tracked down where you may have heard the nominees before – without even knowing it. Take a look (and take a listen):
KING
Nominated For: Best Urban Contemporary Album We Are KING
Two members of the trio KING, twins Paris and Amber Strother, graduated from DeLaSalle High School years before dropping this year's acclaimed We Are KING. But between then and now, you may have heard them on Bilal's 2013 track "Right At the Core."
Prince
Nominated For: Best Engineered Album, non-classical Hit N Run Phase Two
If you've ever passed within the state's borders, you by law know who Prince is. However, in wake of his death earlier this year, a bevy of uncredited Prince cameos have come to light. Among the most surprising was Prince's keyboard work on Queensbridge rap group Mobb Deep's "Thou Shall Not Kill."
Mint Condition
Nominated for: Best R&B Album Healing Season
Prince's favorite band, Mint Condition, have been hometown favorites for decades. Most known for "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)" and "What Kind of Man Would I Be?," the group garnered their first Grammy nomination ever for the holiday album Healing Season. A favorite Mint Condition track we like to play all year round is their 2012 collaboration with fellow Minnesotan Brother Ali, "SixFortyNine/Changes."
Okee Dokee Brothers
Nominated For: Best Children's Album Saddle Up
Your kids (or younger siblings) love Minnesota's own Okee Dokee Brothers. While members Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing have predominantly stayed in the children's music realm, they did drop a great cover of The Beatles' "Mother Nature's Son" on Minnesota Beatle Project, Vol. 5.
Bon Iver
Nominated For: Best Alternative Album, Best Recording Package 22, A Million
You can't judge an album by its cover, but you can judge the cover itself and nominate it for an award. Rightfully so, getting a nod this year was Bon Iver's 22, A Million. Also nominated for Best Alternative Album, it's not a bad look for the fifth voice we heard alongside Kanye West, Rick Ross, Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj on "Monster."
Bob Dylan
Nominated For: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Fallen Angels
Bob Dylan, father of The Wallflowers' Jakob Dylan, has had quite the groundbreaking landmark career in his own right. While this year he's delightfully sidestepped receiving a Nobel Peace Prize for literature, he grabbed a Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album nod as well for his latest Fallen Angels. But did you know Dylan has an unreleased duet with fellow rock legend Brian Wilson in 1988's "Spirit of Rock and Roll?"
