The 60th Grammy Awards: Predictions for the Big Three Categories
The day I look forward to each year is finally here! It is Grammys Day! The 60th Annual Grammy Awards are tonight at 7:30PM ET and before they begin, I've made some predictions on the top three coveted catagories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. I usually end up rooting for someone and watching them lose the award to someone else so this year, I'm picking my favorite and who I think will actually get it. Time will tell how accurate I am. Until then, take a look at my predictions below and let me know if you agree with me!
Record of the year
Who I think will win: "The Story of OJ" by Jay Z
Who I want to win: "The Story of OJ" by Jay Z
Jay Z is an industry veteran. More importantly, "The Story of OJ" is a beautifully produced and well written track. As much as I am annoyed that Jay Z removed his entire catalog from Spotify, I have to admit that this song is some of Jay Z’s best work in recent years. It’s not a matter of if he is going to win a Grammy, but which ones he will take home. Record of the Year is a perfect award for this song as No ID’s work on this track is immaculate. His integration of that Nina Simone sample with the beat is flawless and I can’t get enough of the instrumentation on this song. Well played, Jay Z. Also, any song with the line “You wanna know what's more important than throwin' away money at a strip club? / Credit” is a winner in my book.
Album of the year
Who I think will win: Melodrama by Lorde
Who I want to win: 24K Magic by Bruno Mars or DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar
Let me start by saying that Melodrama is a good album. I have a lot of respect for Lorde’s work on this record and I did enjoy it. Do I think it is overhyped? Oh yeah, but she certainly earned her Album of the Year nomination. However, I am going to be disappointed if it wins over the rest of the nominees. Kendrick Lamar’s album is nothing short of a masterpiece of storytelling and he has released “Album of the Year” worthy records for the majority of his career. He deserves to win this award finally after a history of HEARTBREAKING snubs. Bruno Mars’s record also deserves serious consideration as it is rare for me to fall in love with every single track on an album. It had been 4 years since Bruno Mars’s last album and he came back strong with 9 tracks that are made for the dance floor. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Kendrick and Bruno, but I am not going to be surprised if Lorde takes the award home.
Song of the Year
Who I think will win: "1 800 273 8255" by Logic ft. Alessia Cara and Khalid
Who I want to win: "1 800 273 8255" by Logic ft. Alessia Cara and Khalid or "Despacito (Remix)" by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber
The obvious choice for the Recording Academy is a song about mental health awareness. In a year where activism and depression both have dominated the public conscious, no other song in this category is more timely. The rest of the nominees are solid pop songs about love and romance which is totally fine, but they lack the emotional weight that "1-800-273-8255" has. I think a win for Logic would be well deserved for continuing a conversation about suicide in the mainstream. That being said, I am also pulling for "Despacito". The Grammys largely ignores music that is made outside the US and UK when it comes to the main categories. Luis Fonsi's domination of the US charts is no small feat and has sparked a movement of international artists collaborating with bigger US artists. A win for "Despacito" is a symbolic win for artists all around the world looking to break into the US market and a middle finger to anyone disparaging the work of immigrants and non-Americans. You know what I mean.
Honorable Mention
SZA
I cannot stress enough how perfect SZA’s album, CTRL, is and I honestly am upset that she didn’t get an Album of the Year nomination. This album and Bruno’s were the only records this year that I loved completely from start to finish. She has an incredibly soft yet strong voice. Her lyrics are captivatingly honest and open. Most importantly, the theme of control (and lack thereof) is explored in expert detail. A woman confronting her own agency in her life and relationships seems like an appropriate representation of the past year in the world with so many women standing up and speaking out about the ways they have been mistreated and undermined. Nevertheless, she was not nominated for Album of the Year so she better win as many awards as she can. She deserves every single one.