May historical past be made on the 2022 Grammy Awards? This is what two Related Press leisure writers are predicting for music’s largest night time.
The variety of nominees for the Grammys’ prime awards retains rising, as much as 10 this 12 months, making the competitors stronger, however predictions lots trickier. Are too many pop artists going to separate the vote, making an upset extra possible? Can we even depend on previous wins as a information?
Related Press Leisure Writers Jonathan Landrum Jr. and Kristin M. Corridor break down the Grammy nominees, agreeing on the very least that Olivia Rodrigo goes to choose up gold trophies. However the writers (and sure Grammy voters, too) are conflicted when there’s a lot stiff competitors between artists like Woman Gaga and Tony Bennett, Billie Eilish and Rodrigo.
The sixty fourth annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, April 3 on CBS and Paramount+.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “We Are,” Jon Batiste; “Love For Sale,” Tony Bennett and Woman Gaga; “Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe),” Justin Bieber; “Planet Her (Deluxe Version),” Doja Cat; “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish; “Again of My Thoughts,” H.E.R.; “MONTERO,” Lil Nas X; “Bitter,” Olivia Rodrigo; “Evermore,” Taylor Swift; “Donda,” Kanye West.
LANDRUM: Tony Bennett and Woman Gaga are an ideal match to win album of the 12 months in opposition to some stiff competitors. It’ll be a decent race between the dynamic duo together with Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, however I feel Bennett and Gaga will reign supreme above the remainder of the well-respected pack with their unmatched chemistry displayed by the legendary crooners on “Love for Sale.” True, there’s a lifelong bond and synergy between the sister-brother combo of Eilish and Finneas. Rodrigo has one of many largest early profession splashes of success too. However the magic created by Bennett and Gaga is a uncommon incidence — particularly for Bennett, who confirmed in his 90s that he can nonetheless vocally maintain his personal and flourish with Gaga of their assortment of masterful duets.
HALL: Aww, Jonathan, I had no concept you had been such a romantic! Even a hard-hearted cynic like me has a tough time arguing in opposition to a duo who has 30 Grammys (and a lifetime achievement award) between them. This class has such selection from debut albums and pop and rap stars evolving by numerous ranges of fame all the best way to musical icons. However I’m gonna go along with my intestine, not my coronary heart, and say that Rodrigo ekes out a decent contest that’s prone to cut up amongst pop followers. Her inescapable enjoyable pop rock hits have turned the younger artist right into a family identify, giving her a slight edge over Grammy favs Eilish and Swift.
RECORD OF THE YEAR: “I Nonetheless Have Religion in You,” ABBA; “FREEDOM,” Jon Batiste; “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Tony Bennett and Woman Gaga; “Peaches,” Justin Bieber that includes Daniel Caesar and Giveon; “Proper on Time,” Brandi Carlile; “Kiss Me Extra,” Doja Cat that includes SZA; “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish; “MONTERO (Name Me By Your Title),” Lil Nas X; “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo; “Go away the Door Open,” Silk Sonic.
HALL: I do know I’m not purported to, however I’m speaking about Bruno. As in Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak making a lush soundscape with their Silk Sonic collaboration. “Go away the Door Open” is an easy ’70s period R&B throwback that simply hits the suitable notes, from the tinkling keys to the primary traces of the tune: “What you doin’? The place you at? Oh you bought plans? Don’t say that.” Mars and .Paak made some nostalgic 24K magic right here that’s my jam.
LANDRUM: I feel Eilish will utterly shut Silk Sonic’s door. She’s an excessive amount of of a drive for the opposite rivals right here. And thru “Happier Than Ever,” she’ll make historical past by turning into the primary artist to win three straight years within the class and be part of Paul Simon as the one artist with three document of the 12 months victories.
SONG OF THE YEAR (songwriter’s award): “Unhealthy Habits,” “A Lovely Noise,” “Drivers License,” “Combat For You,” “Happier Than Ever,” “Kiss Me Extra,” “Go away The Door Open,” “MONTERO (Name Me By Your Title),” “Peaches,” “Proper On Time.”
LANDRUM: I in all probability performed Justin Bieber’s “Peaches” that includes Daniel Caesar and Giveon greater than the opposite nominee’s tracks. I used to be captured by the tune’s feel-good melody and Bieber’s catchy hook — which oftentimes nonetheless performs in my head. However after my soliloquy, I’m predicting that H.E.R. will go back-to-back on this class for “Combat for You,” a soulful tune with poignant lyrics from the “Judas and the Black Messiah” soundtrack. The tune — written by H.E.R., producer D’Mile and singer Tiara Thomas — received an Academy Award for greatest authentic tune final 12 months. It provides a robust message identical to final 12 months’s winner “I Can’t Breathe” and I feel ”Combat for You” will win this bout for the trio on the Grammys too.
HALL: The Recording Academy clearly LOVES Eilish and has anointed the star with seven Grammys already, so she seems like a very good shoo-in. “Happier Than Ever” is a cinematic melodramatic story tune, displaying the totally different sides of the choice pop singer-songwriter, even when it wasn’t one of many larger songs from her album. Though a part of me actually would love for Lil Nas X to shock everybody with a win right here.
BEST NEW ARTIST: Arooj Aftab; Jimmie Allen; Child Keem; Finneas; Glass Animals; Japanese Breakfast; The Child Laroi; Arlo Parks; Olivia Rodrigo; Saweetie.
HALL: So many deserving names on this class (and I feel Jimmie Allen is the toughest working artist in nation music proper now), however there is no doubt this award is reserved for Rodrigo. Simply go forward and engrave her identify on it.
LANDRUM: This award ought to be signed, sealed and delivered to Rodrigo. Sorry Saweetie, however there’s a bona fide sleeper on this class: Finneas. Yep, Eilish’s brother who has already received eight Grammys by his producer and co-writer work on his sister’s tasks. Do I actually suppose Finneas will upset Rodrigo? No. She’s had too large of a 12 months to lose. However there’s a small a part of me that believes Finneas has a sliver of an opportunity. Typically, that is all you want.
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Anybody,” Justin Bieber; “Proper on Time,” Brandi Carlile; “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish; “Positions,” Ariana Grande; “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo.
LANDRUM: Eilish or the Biebs may derail, however Rodrigo’s “drivers license” ought to be coasting down the street within the winner’s seat with no detours.
HALL: You realize what’s even higher than lastly incomes your driver’s license? A Grammy trophy. I hope she drives it round in her passenger seat to brag over that ex.
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE: “Thot S(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk),” Megan The Stallion; “M Y. L I F E,” J. Cole feat. 21 Savage and Morray; “Up,” Cardi B; “Household Ties,” Child Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar.
HALL: Megan and Cardi are nonetheless on fireplace even when they’re dropping singles between albums, however there is no match for the lyrical one-two punch from cousins Child Keem and Kendrick Lamar. The household affair is a two-part tune, pairing up Keem, the rising star who arrives to fanfare with a blare of horns and a drum line, with Lamar, one of the vital acclaimed rappers of our time, who declares “I’m the Omega.” The Pulitzer Prize winner, who has been principally quiet musically for the reason that “Black Panther” soundtrack, drops loads of hints that extra is coming from him.
LANDRUM: Lamar and Keem’s household ties to this class might be damaged. For me, this can be a toss up between the “WAP” duo — Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. It’ll be shut, however I consider Cardi’s crossover hit “Up” will entice voters sufficient to actually ship her up on stage to say this award and turn into the primary girl to win this class as a solo artist.
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE: “Choose Up Your Emotions,” Jazmine Sullivan; “Go away The Door Open,” Silk Sonic; “Harm,” H.E.R.; “Peaches,” Justin Beiber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon; “Misplaced You,” Snoh Aalegra.
LANDRUM: Flip flop my alternative about H.E.R. and Bieber within the tune of the 12 months class for this one. I really like H.E.R.’s “Harm,” however I feel “Peaches” by Bieber is satisfying my candy tooth for greatest R&B efficiency.
HALL: I really like each “Choose Up Your Emotions” and “Harm” for his or her sensible and attractive lyrics, so I’m torn. However I feel Silk Sonic will skate away with the win on this class.
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE: “You Ought to In all probability Go away,” Chris Stapleton; “digicam roll,” Kacey Musgraves; “All I Do Is Drive,” Jason Isbell; “Keep in mind Her Title,” Mickey Guyton; “Without end After All,” Luke Combs.
HALL: It is a singer’s class, so you have to have the pipes and Stapleton may simply win this award once more. Combs’ time is coming quickly, however I feel Guyton’s efficiency of a tune so private provides her a bonus. Guyton’s voice is supple and powerful on “Keep in mind Her Title” and I feel Grammy voters will bear in mind her positively.
LANDRUM: Final 12 months, Guyton confirmed up. This 12 months, she’ll present out. Similar to the identify of her album and tune, you’ll completely bear in mind her identify when Guyton prevails on this class.
