Turns out Macklemore nearly didn’t make Grammy rap committee’s cut because, frankly, some of the institution’s hip-hop heads don’t think he makes music for people who actually like the music (read: white folks).

From Vulture:

Most" members of the rap committee felt that the "Thrift Shop" and "Same Love" duo shouldn’t qualify for rap nominations "because of their success on mainstream radio and their appeal in the pop world." This is not a new idea, in the sense that Macklemore is often described as a rapper for people who don’t usually listen to rap music. But he does, in fact, rap, which is why the motion was vetoed by the general Grammys committee in a "landslide."

The source continued by posing the questions that longtime hip-hop fans have been grappling with ever since the Seattle-based rapper gained mainstream success last year with his album "The Heist."

"It’s not that they don’t think he’s a rapper," said the source. "It’s just that when you’re trying to protect categories and someone has become popular, it should be judged as much. … Where does their music exist? Who are their fans?"

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are nominated for seven awards, including Best Album and Best New Artist.