Words by Jenna Langan & Madison Brattoli. Image courtesy of Grammy.com
2017 was undoubtedly a vibrant year for all artists alike. The 2018 Grammy awards air this Sunday, January 28th to honor the best of the best in today’s music.
Since we love music, we thought it would be fun to predict who will take home some of the awards! Check it out below!
1. Record Of The Year
Nominees:
“Redbone” – Childish Gambino
“Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” – JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” – Bruno Mars
Predictions:
Jenna: I am pulling for Kendrick’s “HUMBLE.” to take home the win. This is still one of my go to pump up songs at the gym and it never fails to build a room of people up. I’m hoping the mainstream love for “Despacito” and “24K Magic” don’t overpower Kendrick’s glory.
Madison: I believe Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” will be taking home the gold for record of the year. Donald Glover’s composition of music is exquisite. And did I forget to mention the memes that followed this song, so spectacular. Honorable mention to “HUMBLE.” though, a fantastic song.
2. Album Of The Year
Nominees
“Awaken, My Love!” – Childish Gambino
4:44 – JAY-Z
DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama – Lorde
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
Predictions:
Jenna: I 100% want Kendrick to win this award for DAMN. This album was fantastic and I’ll never get sick of it. Kendrick is an astounding performer and lyricist and this award would be well rewarded to him.
Madison: I’m rooting on Lorde for the win in the category for Melodrama. Every single song off her album was beautifully written. Lorde has such strong passion as an artist and it deserves to be rewarded.
3. Song Of The Year
Nominees
“Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“4:44” – JAY-Z
“Issues” – Julia Michaels
“1-800-273-8255” – Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
Predictions:
Jenna: “1-800-273-8255” should take it all. With its deep-rooted, touching meaning and beauty, this song deserves it all. Each artist featured on this track has mass amounts of talent.
Madison: I agree with Jenna on this one. “1-800-273-8255” is such a powerful song. As an artist, Logic is very inspirational lyrically. This song tells a compelling and emotional story which Logic said is based on some of his fan’s struggles. This song 100% deserves this award.
Image courtesy of Def Jam Recordings
4. Best New Artist
Nominees:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Predictions:
Jenna: My mans Khalid better pull through and win this one. He’s only 19 and created one of the best albums of 2017?!?
Madison: I agree with Jenna again. Khalid has gained so much popularity in the music industry in such a short amount of time, and every song of his is exceptional.
5. Best Pop Solo Performance
Nominees:
“Love So Soft” – Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” – Kesha
“Million Reasons” – Lady Gaga
“What About Us” – P!nk
“Shape Of You” – Ed Sheeran
Predictions:
Jenna: “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, I will always love this man and his music. This song is still bumpin’ on the radio and is always great to dance to! I don’t think this will be the only Grammy Ed will take home for the night, either.
Madison: Kesha has really made a comeback this year. “Praying” is such a powerful song that resonates with a lot of people in today’s society.
6. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Nominees:
“Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“Thunder” – Imagine Dragons
“Feel It Still” – Portugal. The Man
“Stay” – Zedd & Alessia Cara
Predictions:
Jenna: I have a feeling “Despacito” will take hold of this award. S/O to Daddy Yankee for creating another bop after he already gave us Gasolina back in the day!!!
Madison: I believe Portugal. The Man is going to take home this award. Everytime this song comes on you can’t help but dance. Portugal. The Man has come a long way in the music scene.
8. Best Pop Vocal Album
Nominees:
Kaleidoscope EP – Coldplay
Lust For Life – Lana Del Rey
Evolve – Imagine Dragons
Rainbow – Kesha
Joanne – Lady Gaga
÷ (Divide) – Ed Sheeran
Predictions:
Jenna: Ed Sheeran’s Divide will take over this one. 2017 was very good to that man and will carry on into the 2018 Grammys.
Madison: I’m betting on Ed Sheeran to take home this award. Ed’s music is loved by so many, and I don’t believe this will change anytime soon.
Image courtesy of Atlantic Records UK
9. Best R&B Performance
Nominees:
“Get You” – Daniel Caesar Featuring Kali Uchis
“Distraction” – Kehlani
“High” – Ledisi
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
“The Weekend” – SZA
Predictions:
Jenna: Get You by Daniel Caesar!!!!!! This song is MAGICAL. I will bump it till the end of time. Daniel Caesar is an absolute gem and everyone needs to listen to him.
Madison: Can we talk about how talented SZA is? This women popped out of nowhere and stole the music industry. This award is well deserved for her. I am guessing throughout 2018 she is only going to get bigger.
10. Best R&B Song
Nominees:
“First Began” – PJ Morton
“Location” – Khalid
“Supermodel” – SZA
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
Predictions:
Jenna: Although I really want SZA to win this one.. I have a feeling Khalid or Bruno Mars might take it home.
Madison: I’m banking on Khalid taking this one home. “Location” was well received by music listeners.
11. Best Urban Contemporary Album
Nominees:
Free 6LACK – 6LACK
“Awaken, My Love!” – Childish Gambino
American Teen – Khalid
Ctrl – SZA
Starboy – The Weeknd
Predictions:
Jenna: CTRL by SZA, she deserves this so greatly. SZA’s album has changed the game and shown her pure talent and emotion in a beautiful light.
Madison: “Awaken, My Love” by Childish Gambino. This man is so talented in so many ways, and his work deserves to be heard by everyone.
12. Best R&B Album
Nominees:
Freudian – Daniel Caesar
Let Love Rule – Ledisi
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
Gumbo – PJ Morton
Feel The Real – Musiq Soulchild
Predictions:
Jenna: Freudian by Daniel Caesar all the way. This man has a gift. Every one of the songs on this album could swoon you to sleep. I love love love this man and I hope we hear/see more of him in 2018.
Madison: Based on popularity, I believe Bruno Mars will win. No matter what radio station you are on you will hear Bruno bumping from the speakers. This man is taking over the world.
13. Best Rap Performance
Nominees:
“Bounce Back” – Big Sean
“Bodak Yellow” – Cardi B
“4:44” – JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
“Bad And Boujee” – Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert
Predictions:
Jenna: Kendrick’s “HUMBLE.” has got this in the bag. I am a diehard Kendrick fan, and I hope JAY-Z doesn’t completely take control of the Rap categories. Honorable shout out to “Bad and Boujee” though, that song really took Migos off and they held down most of 2017 with Culture.
Madison: Kendrick has done some amazing work this year, he is going to take home MULTIPLE awards. I listened to Kendrick a small amount before, but after this album my love grew for his music.
14. Best Rap/Sung Performance
Nominees:
“PRBLMS” – 6LACK
“Crew” – Goldlink Featuring Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy
“Family Feud” – JAY-Z Featuring Beyoncé
“LOYALTY.” – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Rihanna
“Love Galore” – SZA Featuring Travis Scott
Predictions:
Jenna: Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty! Two icons, one song. It was bound for Grammy success.
Madison: “LOYALTY” is going taking home the Grammy for his one. Kendrick and Rihanna together in one song is magical.
15. Best Rap Song
Nominees
“Bodak Yellow” – Cardi B
“Chase Me” – Danger Mouse Featuring Run The Jewels & Big Boi
“HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
“Sassy” – Rapsody
“The Story Of O.J.” – JAY-Z
Predictions:
Jenna: I feel like it’s code for me to just go with Kendrick at this point.. But, Cardi B might have a shot at this one. “Bodak Yellow” had EVERYONE bonding like drunk girls in the bathroom.
Madison: “Bodak Yellow”. This song was honestly the greatest hit at every party in 2017. As soon as you heard Cardi B’s first line you could hear a roar from every corner of the room.
Don’t forget to tune in this Sunday January 28th @ 7:30 pm to see if our predictions were right!