Music’s biggest night goes down January 26th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and in honour of this year’s Grammy Awards and all the amazing music that 2013 delivered, I’ve decided to do some predictions for who I think should (*), could (**), and will (***) win in the ceremony’s four major categories:
Best New Artist
- James Blake
- Kendrick Lamar **
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ***
- Kacey Musgraves
- Ed Sheeran *
Just by looking at some of the past winners in this category (Esperanza Spalding who beat out Justin Bieber in 2011 and Bon Iver topped Nicki Minaj the following year), it’s kind of hard to pin down who’ll end up with this award, especially because having commercial success doesn’t necessarily guarantee an automatic win. But with that being said, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ended up on that stage to make an acceptance speech considering the year they’ve had.
Song of the Year
- Just Give Me A Reason (P!nk feat. Nate Ruess) **
- Locked Out of Heaven (Bruno Mars)
- Roar (Katy Perry)
- Royals (Lorde) ***
- Same Love (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert) *
Although it doesn’t happen always, the winning songs in this category often go to those with heft or a message in their lyrics, so Same Love is a strong contender without a doubt. But Lorde has a definite shot at taking this one home. Her breakout international hit has surely charmed the world, and the Academy may be next.
Record of the Year
- Get Lucky (Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers) *
- Radioactive (Imagine Dragons)
- Royals (Lorde) *
- Locked Out of Heaven (Bruno Mars)
- Blurred Lines (Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell)
This is probably the most difficult award for me to try and break down, because all five records were commercial smashes and heavily played on the radio. Apparently, the Academy will choose the winner based on artistry alone, “without regard to sales or chart position”, which should be easy, but I think I’m putting my money on either Lorde or Daft Punk.
Album of the Year
- The Blessed Unrest (Sara Bareilles)
- Random Access Memories (Daft Punk)
- Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City (Kendrick Lamar) **
- The Heist (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) (CW) *
- Red (Taylor Swift) ***
This category is such a weird mash-up of albums that I guarantee nobody expected. I mean, where is The 20/20 Experience, Modern Vampires of the City, Yeezus, or Unorthodox Jukebox on this list, as opposed to The Blessed Unrest or The Heist? To be honest, I know exactly who I want to win, because it is the only album I’ve listened to in full, and that is Taylor Swift’s Red. The singer’s sophomore album, Fearless won this award in 2010, making her the youngest person to do so at 20. And if we’re going off sales and success, she has this in the bag. Although, Kendrick is my second choice.
Tune into the 56th annual Grammy Awards this Sunday at 8/7c!
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