This Sunday night, The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will take place. And who's going to emerge the big winner is anybody's guess. In fact, the nominees are spread so evenly there might not be any clear winner -- Although I'm looking at Eminem and Lady Antebellum to come out on top.
What we do know right now is who's performing, and with Mick Jagger, Barbra Streisand & Bob Dylan taking the stage, it looks like the history of Popular Music might be a focal point. Still there are those current acts to look forward to, Lady GaGa who is set to perform her newest single live for the first time. Rihanna and Drake are set to perform together, as well as Eminem and Dr. Dre and of course Justin Bieber will be there for the little girls watching. And get your ears ready for the Over-Sing-Fest of Jennifer Hudson and Christina Aguilera doing an Aretha Franklin tribute. We can probably expect minimal mentions of the late Teena Marie, and a bunch of overrated artists performing their overrated songs.
As I do every year, I'm gonna take a stab at predicting these quite odd Grammy's. (I'm late!)
Record of the Year.
B.o.B. & Bruno Mars, Nothin' on You
Eminem & Rihanna, Love the Way You Lie
Cee-Lo Green, F**k You
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind
Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
Looks like the domestic abuse anthem is the favorite, so that's one for Eminem. He will probably pick up alot of awards Grammy night, and this song was really popular. However in a race dominated by Hip Hop acts, Lady Antebellum also has a really great shot at picking this one up, and their song was also a pretty big hit for a Country group. It's a toss up, but I think Lady Antebellum might just come out on top here.
Will Win: Lady Antebellum.
Should Win: Jay-Z. Empire State of Mind instantly captured the hearts of people in every city and became Jay's biggest hit and first #1 single. He won't have many chances to win for this song, but this future classic deserves to get a Top 4 Honor.
Album of the Year.
Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
Eminem, Recovery
Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
Lady GaGa, The Fame Monster
Katy Perry, Teenage Dream
A slightly better race than last year, save for the GaGa EP being nominated. The ones I think should be taken off the list are probably the ones that have the biggest shot. Lady GaGa and Eminem. Still, Arcade Fire and Lady Antebellum have an equally good chance. The only drawback with Arcade Fire is that Indie acts hardly ever win this award. Country acts rarely do either, but Taylor Swift pulled the surprise win last year. It's really between Eminem and Lady Antebellum, and Eminem is the one who's been in the industry the longest so he might get the "legend" win here.
Will Win: Eminem
Should Win: Arcade Fire. It would be nice if the Grammy's showed they could be ahead of the curve for once, awarding an Indie act would do that. Arcade Fire have continued to be one of the most critically acclaimed act of the Indie scene, which is quickly beginning to surface on the mainstream.
Song of the Year.
Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs, Beg Steal or Borrow
Cee-Lo Green, F**k You
Miranda Lambert, The House That Built Me
Eminem & Rihanna, Love the Way You Lie
Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
This is a race between the country songs, with both Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum coming out in front. Both of their nominated songs are lyrically deserving of the title, however Lady Antebellum probably has the edge because the message in "Need You Now" is more universal, and the song is also a little more Pop-leaning. If the two country acts cancel each other out, Eminem might get yet another win.
Will Win: Lady Antebellum.
Should: Lady Antebellum. It's really a great, simple, catchy and relatable song. It would deserve any prize it got.
New Artist.
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence and the Machine
Mumford and Sons
Esperanza Spalding
Drake might seem like the favorite here, but this race will probably result in a big surprise. And I feel like Mumford & Sons will take the trophy. It was a surprise this 4 piece band was even nominated, but along with a critically hailed album and the buzz from their live shows, they might just take the crown. Drake and Bieber are fall backs if not enough voters know who Mumford & Sons are. Still I feel they might pull the upset here.
Will Win: Mumford & Sons.
Should Win: Drake.
Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Sara Bareilles, King of Anything
Beyonce, Halo (live)
Norah Jones, Chasing Pirates
Lady GaGa, Bad Romance
Katy Perry, Teenage Dream
The Grammy voters are obviously in love with Lady GaGa so she'll probably take it, and why not, her vocals on "Bad Romance" were some of the high points of the song. This could be an interesting race though because Norah Jones is another Grammy favorite, and Katy Perry has a good chance of being the winning underdog.GaGa and her song were staples of last year though so she should probably get it.
Will Win: Lady GaGa.
Should Win: Lady GaGa.
Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Michael Buble, Haven't Met You Yet
Michael Jackson, This Is It
Adam Lambert, Whataya Want From Me
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are
John Mayer, Half of My Heart
With 6 nominations already, it seems the Grammy voters are falling for Bruno Mars fast, so he'll probably get this one. Even though Adam Lambert is the one that truly deserves it. Michael Jackson might get the sympathy votes however, but who knew "This is It" was even a song. John Mayer has also been a Grammy favorite in the past, but that was before the serial-celeb dating and questionable public comments. Michael Buble had a hit with "Haven't Met You Yet", and since he's up against Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow in the other category he's nominated for, he might get this one. This is actually a hard race to predict.
Will: Bruno Mars.
Should: Adam Lambert.
Group Pop Vocal Performance.
Glee Cast, Don't Stop Believin'
Maroon 5, Misery
Paramore, The Only Exception
Sade, Babyfather
Train, Hey, Soul Sister (live)
Will the love for the TV show "Glee" translate over to the Grammy's? It looks like highly possible. The biggest competition comes from Train with their huge hit single "Hey, Soul Sister", and maybe since it's actual music insiders voting they'll go with the well respected band as opposed to the manufactured television show cast.
Will: Glee Cast.
Should: Maroon 5.
Pop Vocal Collaboration.
B.o.B., Hayley Williams & Eminem, Airplanes Part II
Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare, Imagine
Elton John & Leon Russell, If It Wasn't for Bad
Lady GaGa & Beyonce, Telephone
Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg, California Gurls
Seems like GaGa and Beyonce are the favorites in this race, there is a question mark though. You have Elton John there with Leon Russell, and since Katy might not grab too many of the awards she's up for she might take this one. Also the Eminem connection might help B.o.B. Still, Lady GaGa and Beyonce are obvious Grammy favorites so I think this win is a bit of a sure thing.
Will: Lady GaGa & Beyonce.
Should: Lady GaGa & Beyonce.
Pop Vocal Album.
Justin Bieber, My World 2.0
Susan Boyle, I Dreamed a Dream
Lady GaGa, The Fame Monster
John Mayer, Battle Studies
Katy Perry, Teenage Dream
Even though it's only 8 tracks it's up for Lady GaGa is up frikkin ALBUM OF THE YEAR!! It's gotta win this one if they thought highly enough to nominate it for the top prize. Slight competition may come from John Mayer and Katy Perry, but Lady GaGa is on fire and I don't think either of them have enough power to take her down here.
Will Win.: Lady GaGa.
Should Win: Katy Perry.
Solo Rock Performance.
Eric Clapton, Run Back to Your Side
John Mayer, Crossroads
Paul McCartney, Helter Skelter
Robert Plant, Silver Rider
Neil Young, Angry World
This is the battle of the old fogeys versus John Mayer. All the four guys are legends, so Mayer can basically kiss his chances goodbye. The two favorites being Neil Young and Paul McCartney. With Beatle mania happening again this year, and this performance coming from the nationally televised concert special, McCartney has a good chance of taking it. Still Neil Young is the only nominee here (besides Mayer) nominated for his entire album this year. If he doesn't win this one, he'll take Rock Album. Which will than leave it open for Paul.
Will: Paul McCartney.
Should: Paul McCartney.
Group Rock Performance.
Arcade Fire, Ready To Start
Jeff Beck & Joss Stone, I Put a Spell on You
The Black Keys, Tighten Up
Kings of Leon, Radioactive
Muse, Resistance
Kings of Leon had the best vocal of the nominated song, and they should win. Doing so great last year might hurt them this year. Which would leave the race open to the Black Keys, Arcade Fire and Muse. Muse had the biggest hit single with their nominated single, The Black Keys' song was an underground and commercial favorite, and Arcade Fire seems to be the Grammy favorite of the three. I think Muse's hit-factor might give them this win.
Will Win: Muse.
Should Win: Kings of Leon.
Alternative Album.
Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
Band of Horses, Infinite Arms
The Black Keys, Brothers
Broken Bells, Broken Bells
Vampire Weekend, Contra
This one obviously goes to Arcade Fire, who have won this award with every previous album. Now that they are also up for the big Album prize, it's a no-brainer they will take this one again.
Will Win: Arcade Fire.
Should Win: Broken Bells.
R&B Album.
Raheem DeVaughn, The Love & War Masterpiece
Fantasia, Back to Me
Jaheim, Another Round
John Legend & The Roots, Wake Up!
Monica, Still Standing
Another very easy race, John Legend & The Roots pulled together an organic and instantly classic album by paying homage to the songs and album of R&B's greatest era. Slight competition comes from the sympathy vote which might go to Fantasia. However individually John Legend and The Roots have won a few Grammys already, teaming up looks like a winning idea.
Will Win: John Legend & The Roots.
Should Win: John Legend & The Roots.
Solo Rap Performance.
Drake, Over
Eminem, Not Afraid
Ludacris, How Low
T.I., I'm Back
Kanye West, Power
Eminem may just sweep all the Rap categories, but I don't think after such a critically acclaimed album on their brain that the Grammy voters will skip a chance to give Kanye an award this year. Drake also has a chance here, but I think it's definitely between Em and Kanye. And since Eminem has so many chances to win this year, Kanye will probably get it.
Will Win: Kanye West.
Should Win: Kanye West.
Duo or Group Rap Performance.
Big Boi, Bosko, Cutty & Mouche, Shutterbug
Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz, Fancy
Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz, On To the Next One
Ludacris & Nicki Minaj, My Chick Bad
Young Jeezy & Plies, Lose My Mind
Ludacris has the best shot because voters are going to want to give Nicki Minaj her first Grammy this year, this is the only category she's up for tonight and the competition here isn't that difficult to beat.
Will Win: Ludcaris & Nicki Minaj.
Should Win: Ludacris & Nicki Minaj.
Rap/Sung Collaboration.
B.o.B. & Bruno Mars, Nothin' On You
Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall, Deuces
Eminem & Rihanna, Love the Way You Lie
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind
John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Common, Wake Up Everybody
Empire State of Mind and Love the Way You Lie look like the favorites here, both big hit singles from very popular Hip Hop acts. Don't count out the John Legend & Roots collaboration here who might just pull the upset. These Rap categories are hard to call, because with so many top names nominated who knows if the voters will go Eminem for everything or if they want to diversify their picks.
Will Win: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys. Ultimately I think this may be the one award they give Jay.
Should Win: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys. It deserves every award it's nominated for.
Rap Album.
B.o.B., The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Drake, Thank Me Later
Eminem, Recovery
Jay-Z, The Blueprint 3
The Roots, How I Got Over
Eminem definitely, even though his was the lesser album of them all, with his track record there's no way he could lose this one this year.
Will Win: Eminem.
Should Win: Jay-Z. His best album in years, which helped him get the biggest hit singles of his career. It's just sad to think he might walk home empty handed.
Producer of the Year.
Rob Cavallo
Danger Mouse
Dr. Luke
RedOne
The Smeezingtons
RedOne or Dr. Luke might sadly take this award simply for their volume of work this year, and it won't be about quality at all. (And why haven't Stargate been nominated here?). Danger Mouse deserves it, but his albums weren't as high-profile as those of the aforementioned producers. The Smeezingtons, relatively new, produced some of the top nominated songs this year, so they are the underdogs, and I'd much rather see them win. But it's gonna be either Dr. Luke or RedOne, with the latter being the favorite for their GaGa connection.
Will Win: RedOne.
Should Win: Danger Mouse.
Okay there you have it, I'm so sorry I'm so late. I think as I'm about to post this nominees are being announced. Forgive any sloppiness and the lack of visuals, I was racing to finish this.
Enjoy!
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