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Back to Hip-Hop and R&B Albums: Grammy Wins vs. Losses

2010: Best Rap Album

Amazon.com

Won: 'Relapse,' Eminem

Should've Won: 'The Ecstatic,' Mos Def<

This goes to show that Eminem is untouchable. Case and point: Slim Shady's weakest album to date, 'Relapse,' beat out Mos Def's 'The Ecstatic' for the 2010 Best Rap Album award. Critically lauded for its short two-minute tracks, which were woven together like an eclectic, underground mixtape, 'The Ecstatic' served as a return to form for Mos, and was a frontrunner for Best Rap Album after every publication from Spin to Rolling Stone to Pitchfork put it on their year-end lists. Em's 'Relapse' was given no shine on such lists. When it comes to mainstream vs. underground hip-hop, mainstream seems to always win at the Grammys.