How to be Nominated for a Grammy: Rapper JT Submits 'City Cinderella' for AOTY

It is true what they say, “You miss every shot you don’t take,” and well, Rapper JT is taking her shot, even if many fans and spectators are not so confident in her ability to secure the win. During her time as ½ of the rap duo City Girls, JT proved herself to be a contender in the female Hip-Hop space. She appeared to be the most versatile, most talented, and the more passionate of the two, so what happened?

It was also during this era that many fans were pushing for JT to go solo, believing that Caresha was holding her back and that she could not thrive the way she should. Now it seems that, since going solo and branding herself as a new artist, listeners are no longer team JT and are highly critical of the female rapper. Over the past two years, JT has been working hard, dropping single after single, from “Sideways” to “Okay” and even partially engaging in a meager back-and-forth with rapper GloRilla.

Her name remained in the headlines and for good reason—her talent overshadowed her personal life, whereas for Caresha, the opposite is true. Now, since the release of her debut album, City Cinderella, which was not well received by fans and sold only 27k its first week, she has submitted her work for an AOTY nomination at the Grammys. This has indeed taken many by surprise, considering her low album sales and the lack of work she’s done since then, including lack of performances, interviews, appearances, and such.

Many users on X have simply resorted to making jokes and heckling the rapper for her submission. A submission is not a nomination, however, and honestly, we’re proud of her for having the confidence to share her work with the committee. Being nominated for a Grammy is an exciting milestone for any artist, but the process involves a few strategic steps to get there. Artists should focus on releasing eligible music, with timing and formatting taken into consideration.

Your music needs to be released within the Grammy eligibility period, usually running from October 1 of the previous year to September 30 of the current year. Also, your music needs to be widely available through recognized platforms and formats such as streaming services, CDs, or digital downloads to qualify. Additionally, you must register with the Recording Academy. You or your team must be members of the Recording Academy, as only Academy members can submit entries and vote.

There are different membership levels, including voting members (for music creators) and professional members (for industry pros who support creators). Next, you want to submit your work and promote it among the Academy members. Networking within the Academy is key to increasing awareness about your music. Consider attending Grammy-related events, showcases, and industry networking opportunities to make connections with voters.

Avoid lobbying, but be sure to share your work thoughtfully and build a reputation for quality within the community. Unfortunately for JT, who has been very vocal about her lack of interest in attending industry events, we’re not sure how well this may go over for her. Additionally, she has not received much press and media exposure in the last few months, which may work against her in getting that nomination. Having a strong PR strategy can help amplify your music’s reach. Consider working with a company like Branndet Marketing Group to help get press, reviews, and media coverage.

The problem with JT, in comparison to the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, is that her team simply is not investing in her marketing. She’s stagnant at the moment, and while some X users will criticize Megan for being everywhere all at once, it’s a sure sign that her team is investing in her marketing. The same can be said for Beyoncé, who is now increasing her appearance online and at events. She’s trying to garner enough exposure to qualify for AOTY while also leveraging her social media and fan engagement.

JT seems to be discouraged because while her fanbase may be loud on X, they were quiet when it came to sales and streaming her music. We’re proud of her for submitting her work, but like I said in my previous article, JT allowed her confidence to be shaken, and that could have a negative effect on her career as a whole. We do doubt she’ll receive the nomination, but kudos to her for submitting!

by Diamond Brown