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