LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ladies lead the foremost classes on the Grammys this yr – names like SZA, Taylor Swift, Victoria Monét, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo and Brandy Clark prime the record.
However who will take dwelling music’s most coveted trophies on Feb. 4?
Related Press Music Author Maria Sherman and Leisure Author Jonathan Landrum Jr. break down the shut races for Grammy glory.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“World Music Radio,” Jon Batiste; “the report,” boygenius; “Limitless Summer season Trip,” Miley Cyrus; “Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Underneath Ocean Blvd,” Lana Del Rey; “The Age Of Pleasure,” Janelle Monáe; “GUTS,” Olivia Rodrigo; “Midnights,” Taylor Swift; “SOS,” SZA
SHERMAN: The extent of expertise right here is out of this world … If Taylor Swift wins for “Midnights,” she’s going to turn out to be the primary artist in Grammy historical past to win the highest prize 4 occasions. It could be a news-breaking second, however I’m undecided I see it within the tea leaves. As a substitute, they’re spelling out “S-O-S.”
Of the above record, no album has obtained close to complete essential acclaim as SZA’s “SOS.” She looks as if the obvious selection — no disrespect to the opposite nominees.
LANDRUM: Initially, Swift’s “Midnights” first got here to thoughts, however then my coronary heart interjected with SZA’s “SOS.” However after considering over this a bit longer, I couldn’t neglect about “World Music Radio” by Jon Batiste — a multi-genre performer who stunningly claimed victory on this similar class in 2022. That yr, he surprisingly overcame favorites similar to Swift, Billie Eilish, Woman Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Bieber who had extra industrial success. So it’s not too far-fetched of an concept that Batiste has a bona fide probability right here. SZA looks as if the apparent selection, however I’m rolling with Batiste on this one.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Worship,” Jon Batiste; “Not Sturdy Sufficient,” boygenius; “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus; “What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish; “On My Mama,” Victoria Monét; “vampire,” Olivia Rodrigo; “Anti-Hero,” Taylor Swift; “Kill Invoice,” SZA
LANDRUM: Identical to Victoria Monét’s younger daughter, my little woman sings the refrain of “On My Mama” extra typically than every other tune out right this moment. I’ve seen this music — which was born whereas Monét struggled with postpartum melancholy — breathe pleasure into individuals’s lives throughout automotive rides and events.
I put this on my mama: Monét’s monitor would be the cream that rises to the highest of this class.
SHERMAN: Trying on the 2024 nominations as an entire — Victoria Monét is the second-most nominated (alongside Phoebe Bridgers and simply behind SZA). I consider that is hers for the taking.
However simply to play satan’s advocate: I might see a world the place the academy awards Swift for “Anti-Hero,” largely as a result of I’m not so assured “Midnights” will get shine — nevertheless it appears to me that Monét will win.
SONG OF THE YEAR (songwriter’s award)
“A&W,” Jack Antonoff, Lana Del Rey and Sam Dew; “Anti-Hero,” Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift; “Butterfly,” Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson; “Dance The Evening,” Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt; “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus, Gregory Aldae Hein and Michael Pollack; “Kill Invoice,” Rob Bisel, Carter Lang and Solána Rowe; “vampire,” Daniel Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo; “What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell
SHERMAN: This class is crammed with performers the Recording Academy likes to award: Jon Batiste, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish, notably. (And, conversely, artists it likes to nominate however not award: each Lana Del Rey and Miley Cyrus have but to obtain a Grammy. I’d wish to see that change.) My intestine says this one will go to Eilish — if her “Barbie” hit “What Was I Made For?” isn’t awarded report of the yr.
LANDRUM: It’s onerous for me to disagree. I consider Miley Cyrus might have a shot to win her first-ever Grammy with “Flowers.” However I really feel like “What Was I Made For?” was made for this songwriter’s award. Chalk this one as much as one other sibling Grammy win for Eilish and her brother, Finneas.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Gracie Abrams; Fred once more..; Ice Spice; Jelly Roll; Coco Jones; Noah Kahan; Victoria Monét; The Struggle And Treaty
LANDRUM: Final yr, jazz artist Samara Pleasure unexpectedly reigned supreme in a wide-open class. However this yr, there’s one runaway winner: Victoria Monét.
Sure, it’s a loaded class with standouts Jelly Roll, Ice Spice, Coco Jones, and The Struggle and Treaty. However regardless of these worthy candidates, there’s one factor that separates Monét from the pack: Not like different nominees, the “On My Mama” singer is nominated in all three principal classes (album, report and music of the yr). I feel that holds main weight in her favor. It’s her time right here.
SHERMAN: Can I go away this one with, “Ditto”?
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
“Flowers,” Miley Cyrus; “Paint The City Crimson,” Doja Cat; “What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish; “vampire,” Olivia Rodrigo; “Anti-Hero,” Taylor Swift
SHERMAN: Little question, these are all hits in their very own method. My sense is that this one will go to Swift or Rodrigo. As a lot because it pains me to say it, I don’t see a world the place voters select Doja Cat or Miley Cyrus over these two pop powerhouses, and I feel Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” sweep can be reserved for the primary songwriter class. I’d like to see a Cyrus win, however I’ve been burned earlier than!
LANDRUM: I positively consider Cyrus has an excellent probability of claiming the highest spot, however I really feel like that is the place Swift will make her mark. The trophy might very nicely be handed to Eilish or Rodrigo, nevertheless it’s onerous for me to ascertain “Anti-Hero” being shut out — particularly after Swift’s distinctive yr.
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
“The Hillbillies,” Child Keem That includes Kendrick Lamar; “Love Letter,” Black Thought; “Wealthy Flex,” Drake & 21 Savage; “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS,” Killer Mike That includes André 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane; “Gamers,” Coi Leray
LANDRUM: Kendrick Lamar and his cousin Child Keem received this class final yr. However I don’t see the household duo coming away victorious this time for his or her music “The Hillbillies.” I really feel that method about Drake and 21 Savage’s “Wealthy Flex,” which is a licensed banger.
However within the rap world, the most important wave over the previous yr on this class was created by Killer Mike ’s “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” that includes Future, Eryn Allen Kane and Andre 3000 of the legendary hip-hop duo OutKast. The standout music was so nicely crafted with Future’s hoarse vocals, Kane’s excellent crooning and tremendous verses delivered by Mike and Andre 3000 – who has recently launched extra flute music than rap.
However when Andre 3000 — often known as 3 Stacks — blessed us along with his lyrical experience, all of us listened carefully. I consider voters heard him and everybody else loud and clear as nicely.
SHERMAN: “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” is the clear standout, in my view, however I’d love to offer a shoutout to Coi Leray’s “Gamers.” It’s the Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” interpolation for me, and that music was completely ubiquitous for a interval — however doubtless not for the Grammys.
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
“In Your Love,” Tyler Childers; “Buried,” Brandy Clark; “Quick Automobile,” Luke Combs; “The Final Factor On My Thoughts,” Dolly Parton; “White Horse,” Chris Stapleton
SHERMAN: The Recording Academy could be doing one thing intelligent with the Dolly Parton nomination, and in a yr the place new nation music performers are seeing success with all-genres audiences. “The Final Factor on My Thoughts” is a music she’s carried out quite a few occasions all through her profession. She reimagined the music for a Doc Watson tribute album in 2023, the identical yr she launched her debut rock ‘n’ roll album, “Rockstar.”
That stated, I’d wish to see a Brandy Clark win. She’s tied with the likes of Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus with six nominations, and I feel it’s her time to lastly take dwelling a trophy.
Although I might see a sweep for Luke Comb’s cowl of the Tracy Chapman basic “Quick Automobile” as nicely. It allowed him to dominate the Nation Music Awards final yr.
LANDRUM: It could be becoming if Parton slipped in as a nominee and received. I feel being talked about on this group proves this legendary singer is as related as ever. I imply, Parton was very spectacular at her Thanksgiving halftime efficiency at a Dallas Cowboys-Washington Commanders soccer recreation final yr. She stole the present.
However I feel the actual competitors is between Stapleton and Combs — whose “Quick Automobile” ought to have a bit extra steam to barely draw back.
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
“Summer season Too Sizzling,” Chris Brown; “Again To Love,” Robert Glasper That includes SiR & Alex Isley; “ICU,” Coco Jones; “How Does It Make You Really feel,” Victoria Monét; “Kill Invoice,” SZA
LANDRUM: It is a robust name. For my part, it’s a three-woman race between SZA, Monét and Coco Jones. There’s sturdy attraction with Monét’s silky “How Does It Make You Really feel?,” which has basic vibes written throughout it. Jones’ “ICU” was so impactful that even Justin Timberlake jumped on the remix. However all indications level towards SZA’s revenge anthem “Kill Invoice” to win. Her lead single helped propel “SOS” into elite standing, and her monitor is the one one on this class that’s nominated for each report and music of the yr. I’d be shocked if the trophy goes elsewhere.
SHERMAN: “I’d kill my ex / Not one of the best thought….” however writing “Kill Invoice” actually was. This one is SZA’s — no query about it.
BEST MÚSICA MEXCIANA ALBUM (INCLUDING TEJANO)
“Bordado A Mano,” Ana Bárbara; “La Sánchez,” Lila Downs; “Motherflower,” Flor De Toloache; “Amor Como En Las Películas De Antes,” Lupita Infante; “GÉNESIS,” Peso Pluma
SHERMAN: Regional Mexican music — a catchall time period that encompasses mariachi, banda, corridos, norteño, sierreño and different genres – has had a exceptional yr. And but, it was ignored by the academy, in some ways.
Nonetheless: if the Grammys are supposed to replicate a type of all-genres cultural consensus, then this one ought to little doubt go to Peso Pluma. For many individuals across the globe – and definitely in America – he’s the explanation they know in regards to the style.
However he’s no shoo-in. There are a number of unimaginable ladies on this class, together with the American mariachi band Flor de Toloache and Lupita Infante, granddaughter of the legendary actor and singer Pedro Infante.
LANDRUM: Whew, I really feel your ache. Many within the rap group have complained through the years about voters being “ out of contact ” from the tradition. It’s positively price addressing.
Right here’s my predicted winner on this class:
Peso Pluma is undoubtedly the preferred artist. He’ll in all probability win. But when we’re speaking in regards to the artist with one of the best album on this class, then this could actually be handed to both Lila Downs or Ana Bárbara.
Between them, I’m selecting Bárbara. Downs’ vocals had been an outstanding power meshed with conventional Mexican devices. It was lovely concord. However I’m leaning towards Bárbara‘s “Bordado A Mano” as a result of it’s essentially the most well-rounded album, that includes two songs with two of Mexico’s largest artists: Vincente Hernandez and Christian Nodal. It bridges the hole between the outdated and new faculty. With Bárbara’s soothing voice, l by no means felt like skipping to the subsequent monitor.
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The 66th annual Grammy Awards will air on Feb. 4 on CBS and Paramount+.
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