As Baaallliiinnn’ week continues here at Writers Block, today South Carolina rapper/producer Danny! is BAAALLLIIINNN’. Danny!’s not ballin’ because he’s a Nupe (although that would elevate anyone to ballin’ status), nor is it because he did an interview with me. It’s not because Danny! has a show on Sirius satellite radio. He’s not ballin’ because he dropped the hottest album in South Carolina history. He’s not ballin’ because he’s been featured on Billboard, AOL Music, okayplayer, and VH1.

No…

The reason D. Swain is ballin’ this week is because his album Charm made the cut for the initial 49th annual Grammy Awards Nominations Ballot. Now, he’s not nominated for a Grammy, but he’s eligible for the first phase in the two phase process that leads to a Grammy nomination. BAAALLLIIINNN’.

Charm is in the running for seven categories including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Urban/Alternative Performance. For that Danny Swain, you are officially BAAALLLIIINNN’.