With music’s biggest night, i.e. the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, less than two days away, it’s only fitting that I make a predictions post of who I think will take home the night’s biggest awards. For the first time in fifteen years, the ceremony will take place in New York City, the beloved hometown of Jay-Z, who leads the night with the most nominations. Could it be a sign of things to come? We shall see but I can tell you what I think might happen come Sunday night and what I want to happen.
Album of the Year
DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
4:44 – Jay-Z
Awaken My Love – Childish Gambino
Melodrama – Lorde
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
It was the category that had everyone talking after the nominees were announced. For the first time in the history of the Grammy Awards, Hip Hop/Rap dominated the Album of the Year category with only Lorde, the sole female nominee in the group, representing Pop music. Some have speculated that Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar may cancel each other out with the voters, allowing for a surprise win by Lorde. I don’t think so. My prediction is that this is going to be a battle of East Coast (Jay-Z) vs. West Coast (Kendrick Lamar).
Who Will Win – So who do I think will prevail? Well as much as I’m not going to like it, my gut says this may be Jay-Z’s crowning moment. Without question 4:44 is his best work in years, revealing a maturity and wisdom not evident in his other works. It is a wonderfully crafted album, showcasing vulnerability and unflinching honesty. In another time or place, I would happily co-sign 4:44 as the best Album of the Year. But I can’t this year. However, I can see Grammy voters leaning in his direction for a number of reasons. As crazy as it may sound, Jay-Z, as the older statesman if you will, is now the “safe” choice in the world of Hip Hop/Rap. A win for him would allow voters to pat themselves on the back that they’ve finally rewarded a Rap album, without their having to go too far outside their comfort zone. And then there’s the Beyonce factor. As ridiculous as it sounds (but crazier things have happened), I can see voters leaning towards Jay-Z in some misguided attempt to make up for what many felt was the egregious act of Adele’s 25 winning AOTY over Beyonce’s Lemonade.
Who Should Win – It’s so obvious, it seems silly that there should even be a debate about this category. And yet, Grammy voters prove year after year that they sometimes do anything but what is expected and obvious. Kendrick Lamar had one of the best-selling, highly acclaimed albums of 2017, with one of the singles, Humble, topping the charts. This is Lamar’s third consecutive album to be hailed by fans and critics alike as one of the best Hip Hop/Rap albums ever. And yet, there is still a possibility that voters will not give him his due. While many declared Adele’s triumph over Beyonce last year as one of the biggest blunders in Grammy history, for me, that’s still Taylor Swift’s 1989 besting Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly. And here we are again, where like 2015, he delivered an album of brilliant storytelling, masterful flow and rhyme and enough conflicting metaphors and imagery to have you pondering the meaning of it all, even a year later. Kendrick Lamar had the best album of 2017, just like he had the best album in 2015 and just like the 2016 Grammy Awards, he deserves to win Album of the Year.
Record of the Year
Redbone – Childish Gambino
Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
The Story of OJ – Jay Z
Humble – Kendrick Lamar
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
Who Will Win – 2017 was the year of Despacito. Whether you liked the song or not, you couldn’t escape it and probably found yourself humming or singing along to it once or twice, without even realizing. It was without question, THE song of the summer and a bonafide smash. So it is reasonable to think that it has a more than likely shot at taking home the prize.
Who Should Win – I’m torn on this one. I can’t say Despacito would be an undeserving winner but I also think a strong case can be made for Kendrick Lamar’s Humble. You can count on Kung Fu Kenny to deliver a banger that still educates, hitting listeners with some very important themes. Humble is unquestionably Kendrick Lamar’s most successful single, giving the rapper his first solo Billboard Hot 100 Number One. The video for the song went on to win big at last summer’s VMA Awards, including the top prize of Video of the Year. A win in this category would not be undeserved, but as we know, a Hip Hop/Rap song has never won in this category.
Song of the Year
Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
4:44 – Jay Z
Issues – Julia Michaels
1-800-273-8255 – Logic feat. Alessia Cara & Khalid
That’s What I Like – Bruno Mars
Who Will Win – This one is tough to call. There is no Hello type hit this year – a song that was both a critical and commercial smash across the board. While Despacito was one of the biggest hits 2017, Song of the Year is a songwriter’s award and lyrically, the song isn’t exactly a standout. Then there’s Jay-Z’s open letter of apology to Beyonce for all his years of infidelity. It’s a powerful statement on male/female relationships, particularly black male/black female relationships, love and forgiveness. As he leads the charge with the most nominations, making it clear that the voters were feeling the love for 4:44, a possible win here would not be surprising. But Grammy voters also love Bruno Mars and this may be the one major category he could prevail in.
Who Should Win – Again, tough to call. Logic’s 1-888-273-8255 delivered a very important statement on suicide awareness and was one of the biggest songs of the year. The song also features two of the Best New Artist nominees. That said, if I personally had to pick, I’d give my vote to Jay Z for a brilliantly crafted and emotionally resonant statement that not only journeys through his personal failures as a husband and partner but our own failures as individuals, in relationships.
Best New Artist
SZA
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Julia Michaels
Lil Uzi Vert
Who Will Win – The buzz among the critics is all about SZA. The soulful chanteuse had the attention of many in 2017 and her name seemed to be on every critic’s lips. However, some think a possible upset may be in the works in the form of one Alessia Cara. This despite the fact that Cara clearly should have been nominated last year. My gut says voters will make the critics happy and it will be a good night for SZA.
Who Should Win – I have to admit that while I recognize SZA’s talent, I’m not a huge fan of her work and in truth am mostly underwhelmed by it. So I can’t say I share the critics’ excitement over her. My personal pick for this category is Khalid who I think is one of the most brilliantly underrated artists. His American Teen album was, in my opinion, one of the best albums of 2017. Soulful, bluesy, intelligent, fun and just all around great music.
Let’s see if any of my predictions come true this Sunday night.
PoPnOgR@PhY 