MY 2016 Grammy Predictions

If you really know me, you know that award season is one of my favorite times of the year, so I thought I'd look to the next big awards show, the Grammys. I love music and I pay attention to the charts to see what's new and trending, so I feel I have a pretty good knowledge of the popular music industry. With that, I thought I would share some of my knowledge regarding this years Grammys by talking about my favorites and predictions for the four main awards.

First of all, the Grammys are voted on by members of the Recording Academy. They are legit music people who are experts on music. I am a bit more biased than they are, so my predictions may not be the most accurate, but I will try to keep my personal tastes to myself.

1. Record of the Year
(This award recognizes the performance of the artist along with the producer, engineers, and mixers.)
Really Love - D'Angelo and the Vanguard
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
Blank Space - Taylor Swift
Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd

All of these songs, except "Really Love" have lived on the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 chart and have had a massive amount of radio play. I believe it will come down to "Uptown Funk," "Blank Space," and "Can't Feel My Face" because all three have fairly big production elements and have spent more than one week at number one. Because I am a Taylor lover, I'd love to see her win, but I think it will ultimately go to "Uptown Funk." It spent 14 weeks at number one and the music video has over a billion views on YouTube. Not to mention, it's got an old school vibe and a killer horn section and who can resist a good horn section? I know I can't.



2. Album of the Year
Sound and Color - Alabama Shakes
To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar
Traveller - Chris Stapleton
1989 - Taylor Swift
Beauty Behind the Madness - The Weeknd
I have two words for this category: Taylor Swift. I am pretty confident that Taylor is going to take this one home. First of all, 1989 was the only album in 2014 to sell a million copies. Second of all, it is a sonically cohesive piece of pop beauty that critics loved. Also, she had a lot of big names help with this album, including Max Martin, Imogen Heap, Ryan Tedder, and Jack Antonoff. Additionally, she has dominated the world in the last year and a half with her chart topping singles, her letter to Apple Music, and her "squad" taking over the internet, so I would be surprised to see anyone else take this award, even though Kendrick and the Weeknd both had hugely successful albums and years.



3. Song of the Year
(This one recognizes the songwriters.)
Alright - Kendrick Lamar
Blank Space - Taylor Swift
Girl Crush - Little Big Town
See You Again - Wiz Kahlifa feat Charlie Puth
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

This isn't an easy one to predict. "Blank Space" is full of smart and witty one liners, but "Thinking Out Loud" is a beautiful love anthem the all the world swooned over. Country artists usually don't take this award, so I can't really see "Girl Crush" taking this one. Kendrick has been really seen by the Grammys this year, getting the most nominations, so he could be big contender for this one, although I'm not a huge fan of this song in particular. When it comes down to it, I think "See You Again" will take this one because it has been another huge song in the last year with decent lyrics. Also, it is in memory of Paul Walker, so I feel like that will put it over the edge and no one can really be mad if it wins.



4. Best New Artist
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor

I am really happy with these nominees this year. Courtney Barnett isn't very well known, but the Grammys like the underdogs. (Remember Esperanza Spalding? Me either, but she won this award back in 2011, beating out Justin Bieber, Drake, Mumford and Sons, and Florence and the Machine) Even as the underdog, I don't think she has a great chance of winning. James Bay has put out some amazing music this year and has had a decent amount of radio play, but not enough to make a huge deal about. Sam Hunt, who I like to call the male T.Swift of Country music, is a big contender. He has done very well this past year. Because his music is more of a crossover or pop and country, he is loved by country and pop lovers alike. I hate country, but I love Sam Hunt. Meghan Trainor is probably the most successful out of all the nominees. I think she is the only one to have a single hit number one on Billboard's Hot 100, but I feel like she hit her stride back in 2014 when "All About That Bass" was released. To me, she isn't a new artist. Tori Kelly, I believe, has the most talent in this group and I'm not just saying that because she is one of my favorites. She wrote and produced her own music and still continues to do so. She has slowly become more well known and her heavenly voice has landed her on the BET awards paying tribute to THE Smokey Robinson and she won the Breakthrough Award at the 2015 Billboard's Women in Music Awards. Even with that, I think Meghan Trainor will be victorious because of her popularity at this point in the game. (My fingers are still crossed for Tori.)

Honestly, I would love to see Taylor Swift take over the Grammys, but my dreams don't always come true. If you want to check out all the other nominations, go to GRAMMY.com. Tune into the show February 15 at 8/7c on CBS to see how accurate my predictions are.

-M. Philly

Gone to Carolina in my mind

A week ago, I was walking home from the bookstore when I got a text from my best friend saying her father had passed away. I've never had my heart broken, but I'm guessing it feels a lot like I felt when I read that text. I honestly didn't know what to do. The thing is, there wasn't much I could do because I was 2000 miles away. I sat in my room for a while and just cried, after I called my dad asking what I should do. All I wanted in that moment was to be home. All I wanted was to be there with her, but I couldn't. I don't think I've ever felt that kind of heartache before. I've never had such a longing for home even though I was just there two days before. I kept thinking of her and her family and how heartbroken they must have been and how difficult the coming days would be. It made me so sad because I knew they were hurting, but her whole family is so strong and amazing. I kept thinking of how much I admire their strength and how they have handled her dad being sick for so long. I thought of all the good times we had had with her dad, whether it was at the beach or just at her house. He was such a great man, who was always smiling and happy to see everyone. I tried to put myself in her shoes, but I couldn't even imagine the pain she was going through. I just kept thinking about how much I wanted to be there and how much it saddened me that I couldn't be. Thankfully, my dad was so quick to be there for her and her family. I would not have been able to feel any peace if it wasn't for him going to see her family, going to all the services, and calling me everyday to make sure I was okay and to keep me updated. I felt my love for him grow so much, which I didn't know it could grow anymore. I appreciate him more than ever before and I am so thankful to have him. Having him be so great and this whole experience got me thinking about things. I had prayed for a long time that when this time came, I would be home so I could be there for her, but God has a way of showing us he is the ruler of time. You never know how much time you are going to have left with your friends and family. You never know what is going to happen when you leave home, so you have to make sure you are spending the time that you have in the best ways possible. During Christmas break, I wish I had spent more time with my best friend. I wish I would have snuggled my nephews a little more. I wish I would have cracked more pecans to make mom and dad's lives easier. I wish I would have taken more time to look outside myself. As I was thinking about this I just decided that it was time to stop being so lazy and to start being a better me. I want to be a better friend, sister, daughter, student, follower of Christ, and person in general. I can't waste anymore time just sitting around. I've got to work as hard as I can to be better than I am right now because you never know what God is going to throw your way.
It's been said many times that the Lord only gives you what you can handle. I know that Erin and her family are so much stronger than I am because they have been given so many trials, but they always handle them with a good, positive attitude. I admire them so extremely much because they are simply amazing. I still desperately wish I could be there just to give a hug or a smile, but I guess the Lord knew I was supposed to be here. Everything happens for a reason. For some reason, I met a super quiet girl in Kindergarten who has been my BEST friend, my partner in crime, and one of my favorite people ever since. My life wouldn't be the same without her and her wonderful family and I cannot thank God enough for putting them in my life. I love them and my heart has been with them all week, even though I couldn't there.

-Madeline