Webster predicts the winners of the 2019 Grammy awards
The 61st Grammy awards are on February 10th at 8:00 pm. It is one of music’s biggest award ceremonies and often serves as a jumping off point for artists to gain more fans and increase sales. The following main awards are projections followed by justification for the prediction.
Song of the Year Nominees
“All the Stars” performed by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Boo’d Up” performed by Ella Mai
“God’s Plan” performed by Drake
“In My Blood” performed by Shawn Mendes
“The Joke” performed by Brandi Carlile
“The Middle” performed by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
“Shallow” performed by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“This Is America” performed by Childish Gambino
My prediction: “All the Stars” is a perfect blend of rap performed by Kendrick Lamar and a beautiful, strong vocal performance by SZA. This has everything it needs to succeed over the tough competition in this category.
Music Video of the Year
“APES**T,” performed by The Carters
“This is America,” performed by Childish Gambino
“I’m Not Racist” performed by Joyner Lucas
“Pynk” performed by Janelle Monáe
“MUMBO JUMBO” performed by Tierra Whack
My prediction: After a close decision, I believe “This is America” edges “I’m Not Racist” by a sliver. Both music videos have a strong message about racism. Although “I’m Not Racist” is slightly stronger and clearer, it does not have as good choreography that “This is America’” has.
Album of the Year
“Invasion of Privacy” performed by Cardi B
“By The Way, I Forgive You” performed by Brandi Carlile
“Scorpion” performed by Drake
“H.E.R.” performed by H.E.R.
“Beerbongs & Bentleys” performed by Post Malone
“Dirty Computer” performed by Janelle Monáe
“Golden Hour” performed by Kacey Musgraves
“Black Panther: The Album” performed by Various Artists
My Prediction: Although each of these albums is deserving of accolades, Beerbongs & Bentleys slightly edges because of its popularity and its creativeness in song lyrics and types.
Best New Artists
Chloe x Halle
Luke Combs
Greta Van Fleet
H.E.R.
Dua Lipa
Margo Price
Bebe Rexha
Jorja Smith
My Prediction: H.E.R. is a new artist that has in her short music career, already been nominated for album of the year. Although it is unlikely that she will win the award, it is still very impressive to be nominated for this award over a large number of capable artists.
Record Of The Year
“I Like It” performed by Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
“The Joke” performed by Brandi Carlile
“This is America” performed by Childish Gambino
“God’s Plan” performed by Drake
“Shallow” performed by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“All The Stars” performed by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Rockstar” performed by Post Malone & 21 Savage
“The Middle” performed by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
My Prediction: “God’s Plan” was one of Drake’s top songs this past year and one of the most iconic. However it will be hard to stomp out “This is America” and “I Like It”.
Best Pop Solo Performance
“Colors” performed by Beck
“Havana (Live)” performed by Camila Cabello
“God Is A Woman” performed by Ariana Grande
“Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?)” performed by Lady Gaga
“Better Now” performed by Post Malone
My Prediction: After taking the album of the year, Post Malone will continue with his winning with his hit single “Better Now”.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Fall In Line” performed by Christina Aguilera & Demi Lovato
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” performed by Backstreet Boys
“‘S Wonderful” performed by Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
“Shallow” performed by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“Girls Like You” performed by Maroon 5 & Cardi B
“Say Something” performed by Justin Timberlake & Chris Stapleton
“The Middle” performed by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
My Prediction: The Backstreet Boys are a classic group and should run away with it despite strong bids from “Say Something” and “Girls Like You”.
Best Pop Vocal Album
“Camila” performed by Camila Cabello
“Meaning Of Life” performed by Kelly Clarkson
“Sweetener” performed by Ariana Grande
“Shawn Mendes” performed by Shawn Mendes
“Beautiful Trauma” performed by P!nk
“Reputation” performed by Taylor Swift
My Prediction: “Beautiful Trauma” is the new P!nk album that helped reinvent her style. She should win this category by a good margin despite Ariana Grande’s and Taylor Swift’s albums being more popular than P!NK’s album.
Best Country Album
“Unapologetically” performed by Kelsea Ballerini
“Port Saint Joe” performed by Brothers Osborne
“Girl Going Nowhere” performed by Ashley McBryde
“Golden Hour” performed by Kacey Musgraves
“From A Room: Volume 2” performed by Chris Stapleton
My Prediction: Chris Stapleton had a strong 2018 and his album “From A Room: Volume 2” is no exception. He will continue his career on a high note with his first Grammy.
Best Country Song
“Break Up In The End” performed by Cole Swindell
“Dear Hate” performed by Maren Morris & Vince Gill
“I Lived It” performed by Blake Shelton
“Space Cowboy” performed by Kacey Musgraves
“Tequila” performed by Dan + Shay
“When Someone Stops Loving You” performed by Little Big Town
My Prediction: “When Someone Stops Loving You” will win a very close race that can go anyone’s way. Its vocals help give it a slight edge compared to other songs nominated.
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Shoot Me Straight” performed by Brothers Osborne
“Tequila” performed by Dan + Shay
“When Someone Stops Loving You” performed by Little Big Town
“Dear Hate” performed by Maren Morris & Vince Gill
“Meant to Be” performed by Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
My Prediction: “Meant to Be” is a catchy short song that has strong vocals and a solid harmony. It should win this category by its popularity alone.
Best Country Solo Performance
“Wouldn’t It Be Great?” performed by Loretta Lynn
“Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” performed by Maren Morris
“Butterflies” performed by Kacey Musgraves
“Millionaire” performed by Chris Stapleton
“Parallel Line” performed by Keith Urban
My Prediction: Chris Stapleton will continue his winnings with his hit song “Millionaire”. This group of songs however, are all as deserving as “Millionaire” and could have the potential to steal this win from Stapleton.
Best Rap Song
“God’s Plan” performed by Drake
“King’s Dead” performed by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake
“Lucky You” performed by Eminem & Joyner Lucas
“Sicko Mode” performed by Travis Scott, Drake, Big Hawk & Swae Lee
“WIN” performed by Jay Rock
My Prediction: “Lucky You” is a callback to Eminem’s younger days and combined with Joyner Lucas will win this category despite a push from “Sicko Mode”.
Best Rap/Sung Performance
“Like I Do” performed by Christina Aguilera & Goldlink
“Pretty Little Fears” performed by 6lack & J. Cole
“This Is America” performed by Childish Gambino
“All The Stars” performed by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Rockstar” performed by Post Malone & 21 Savage
My Prediction: “This is America” was a masterpiece for Gambino with singing and rapping taking place. It should outdo other competitors like “Rockstar” and “All The Stars”
Best Rap Album
“Invasion Of Privacy” performed by Cardi B
“Swimming” performed by Mac Miller
“Victory Lap” performed by Nipsey Hussle
“Daytona” performed by Pusha T
“Astroworld” performed by Travis Scott
My Prediction: “Astroworld” was a big part of 2018 and help throttle Travis Scott into one of the premier rap artists This album helped propel him into the Super Bowl Halftime show which is notoriously hard for artists to get into. This should win by a landslide.
Best Rock Song
“Black Smoke Rising” performed by Greta Van Fleet
“Jumpsuit” performed by Twenty One Pilots
“MANTRA” performed by Bring Me The Horizon
“Masseduction” performed by St. Vincent
“Rats” performed by Ghost
My Prediction: Ghost has exploded this past year and “Rats” is one of their best songs. Although Greta Van Fleet will challenge, Ghost should run away with this Grammy.
Best Rock Album
“Rainier Fog” performed by Alice in Chains
“Mania” performed by Fall Out Boy
“Prequelle” performed by Ghost
“From The Fires” performed by Greta Van Fleet
“Pacific Daydream’ performed by Weezer
My Prediction: “Rainier Fog” is prime to upset the favorite in this category “Prequelle”. The upset should go through with a win for Alice in Chains
Best Rock Performance
“Four Out Of Five” performed by Arctic Monkeys
“When Bad Does Good” performed by Chris Cornell
“Made An America” performed by THE FEVER 333
“Highway Tune” performed Greta Van Fleet
“Uncomfortable” performed by Halestorm
My Prediction: Greta Van Fleet, after just showing up on the scene, has already been nominated for numerous Grammys and “Highway Tune” and should win.