The 60th annual Grammys: Projected
The Grammy’s are a time honored tradition in the music community. The Recording Academy selects the artists, songs, and albums which they feel are the outstanding of the pool of music that gets submitted each year. Below is a list of the most popular categories, along with a projected winner. This list is in no way official and is not to be taken that way; it is speculative.
Record of the Year Nominees:
Redbone – Childish Gambino
Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
The Story of OJ – JAY-Z
HUMBLE – Kendrick Lamar
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
Projected Winner: HUMBLE – Kendrick Lamar
Humble should easily take this category. It took the world by storm as the first single to be released from the enormously successful DAMN album. It remains a staple of dance’s and workout playlists worldwide, and will continue that way.
Album of the Year Nominees:
Awaken, My Love! – Childish Gambino
4:44 – JAY-Z
DAMN – Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama – Lorde
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
Projected Winner: Awaken, My Love! – Childish Gambino
Donald Glover’s latest album is such a great piece of music. It is an easy listen, and takes you on a journey through the album. For these reasons and more, Childish Gambino should expect to walk away with this one.
Song of the Year Nominees:
Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
4:44 – Jay Z
Issues – Julia Michaels
1-800-273-8255 – Logic Featuring Aleissa Cara Khalid
That’s What I Like- Bruno Mars
Projected Winner: Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
Despacito defined last year. Working at the pool this past summer, I heard this song upwards of 5 times a day. An instant classic, this song outdoes every other song in this category by a long shot.
Best New Artist Nominees:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Projected Winner: SZA
Plain and simple, SZA is amazing. Her record Crtl is near flawless, there isn’t a bad song on it. Each song has its own unique taste, making it a great listen from front to back.She will continue to have a successful career as long as she keeps this kind of music up.
Best Pop Solo Performance Nominees:
Love So Soft – Kelly Clarkson
Praying – Kesha
Million Reasons – Lady Gaga
What About Us – P!nk
Shape Of You: Ed Sheeran
Projected Winner: Shape Of You: Ed Sheeran
Shape Of You still plays on the radio, even after being released months ago. Ed Sheeran has showcased his ability to write a catchy song while still making it fresh and new upon each listen. He should win this category easily.
Best Pop Vocal Album Nominees:
Kaleidoscope EP – Coldplay
Lust for Life – Lana Del Rey
Rainbow- Kesha
Joanne – Lady Gaga
÷ (Divide) – Ed Sheeran
Projected Winner – ÷(Divide) – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is a power player in the world of pop music. The majority of his songs everyone has heard somewhere, on the radio, at the coffee shop, etc. He also amassed a loyal following of fans, which while not factored into voting pose a threat of backlash if he weren’t to win.
Best Rock Performance Nominees:
You Want It Darker – Leonard Cohen
The Promise – Chris Cornell
Run – Foo Fighters
No Good – Kaleo
Go To War – Nothing More
Projected Winner: The Promise – Chris Cornell
With his tragic passing this past year, Chris Cornell seems set to win a posthumous award much in the manner of David Bowie. “The Promise’s” haunting lyrics seem to echo from the beyond, making it a deeply powerful song capable of winning this category with ease.
Best Rock Song Nominees:
Atlas, Rise! – Metallica
Blood In The Cut – K. Flay
Go To War – Nothing More
Run – Foo Fighters
The Stage – Avenged Sevenfold
Projected Winner: Atlas, Rise – Metallica
While the combination of The Foo Fighter’s “Run” and Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage”, both of which are excellent songs, “Atlas, Rise” will be hard pressed to win. However, the excellent composition of this high octane song will most likely win the day.
Best Rock Album Nominees:
Emperor of Sand – Mastodon
Hardwired…To Self-Destruct – Metallica
The Stories We Tell Ourselves – Nothing More
Villains – Queens of The Stone Age
A Deeper Understanding – The War on Drugs
Projected Winner: Hardwired…To Self Destruct – Metallica
These titans of rock are prime to win this category. In addition to conducting a massively successful world tour, Metallica saw their new album go platinum in just four months. If they do not win this category, it will be a snub for the ages.
Best Alternative Music Album Nominees:
Everything Now – Arcade Fire
Humanz – Gorillaz
American Dream – LCD Soundsystem
Pure Comedy – Father John Misty
Sleep Well Beast – The National
Projected Winner: Sleep Well Beast – The National
The National’s latest project is top notch. Featuring songs like “Guilty Party” and “Day I Die”, this album should perform well at the Grammy’s giving The National the award, in spite of similarly successful albums also in the running.
Best R&B Performance Nominees:
Get You – Daniel Caesar Featuring Kali Uchis
Distraction – Kehlani
High – Ledisi
That’s What I Like – Bruno Mars
The Weekend – SZA
Projected Winner: That’s What I Like – Bruno Mars
While SZA’s breakout was phenomenal, Bruno Mars rules chart-topping R&B with an iron fist. He has won four Grammy’s and will probably add several to his collection this year.
Best R&B Album Nominees:
Freudian – Daniel Caesar
Let Love Rule – Ledisi
24K Magic –Bruno Mars
Gumbo – PJ Morton
Feel The Real – Musiq Soulchild
Projected Winner: 24K Magic – Bruno Mars
The other nominees in this category pale in comparison to Bruno Mars. It will take a miracle or a really good album, maybe even both, to outdo 24k Magic. Not to mention, 24k Magic is fresh in everyone’s mind, as it rules the airwaves a year and a half after its release.
Best Rap Performance Nominees:
Bounce Back – Big Sean
Bodak Yellow – Cardi B
4:44 – Jay Z
HUMBLE – Kendrick Lamar
Bad and Boujee: Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert
Projected Winner: Bodak Yellow – Cardi B
The former stripper turned rap superstar seems prime to win this year. She’s not new to the game, but “Bodak Yellow” took the rap community by storm. Following it’s release she scored features on several songs by other rap artists. She should win this without much trouble. Her only trouble may be Kendrick Lamar and “Humble”.
Best Rap/ Sung Performance Nominees:
PRBLMS – 6LACK
Crew – Goldlink Featuring Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy
Family Fued – JAY-Z Featuring Beyoncé
LOYALTY – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Rihanna
Love Galore – SZA Featuring Travis Scott
Projected Winner: Family Fued – JAY-Z Featuring Beyonce
This music power couple is nearly unstoppable. With a combined forty-three Grammy’s between the two of them, they seem primed to end Jay-Z’s drought tonight with a win for Family Feud.
Best Rap Song Nominees:
Bodak Yellow – Cardi B
Chase Me – Danger Moue Featuring Run the Jewels & Big Boi
HUMBLE – Kendrick Lamar
Sassy – Rapsody
The Story of OJ – JAY-Z
Projected Winner: Bodak Yellow – Cardi B
As previously explained, “Bodak Yellow” has all the right pieces to win. Cardi B shouldn’t have a problem, barring the exception of “HUMBLE” again. Kendrick Lamar still has a strong chance to rob her in both categories.
Best Rap Album Nominees:
4:44 – JAY-Z
DAMN – Kendrick Lamar
Culture – Migos
Laila’s Wisdom – Rapsody
Flower Boy – Tyler, The Creator
Projected Winner: DAMN – Kendrick Lamar
Where to begin. DAMN has so many different things going in its favor. From solid lyrics to interesting song titles, Kendrick Lamar has truly pulled off a masterpiece. Each song is unique, and the combination of all of this is likely to give him the win.
Best Country Song Nominees:
Better Man – Taylor Swift
Body Like A Back Road – Sam Hunt
Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
Drinkin’ Problem – Midland
Tin Man – Miranda Lambert
Projected Winner: Body Like A Back Road – Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt has crafted an excellent country song. It falls into the stereotypical category, but it hits the proverbial sweet spot, not to long or short, nor too lyrically dense. Sam Hunt should walk away without much problem.
Best Country Album Nominees:
Cosmic Hallelujah – Kenny Chesney
Heart Break – Lady Antebellum
The Breaker – Little Big Town
Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton
Projected Winner: The Breaker – Little Big Town
The latest work from Little Big Town, The Breaker is the best country album on the list. The only other possible candidates could be Kenny Chesney or Chris Stapleton. Regardless, the expertly put together album will probably win the day for Little Big Town.
Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
Baby Driver
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2
Hidden figures: The Album
La La Land
Moana: The Songs
Projected Winner: Moana: The Songs
Say what you will about Moana or Disney movies in general, but they have good soundtracks. This is the case with Moana, and the composition of the album is sure to give it a Grammy, even if Lin Manuel Miranda doesn’t contribute.
The Grammy’s air Sunday January 28th starting at 8:00. The ceremony will feature live performances and will also feature your favorite artists dressed to impress. Tune in.