The Grammy Awards are always usually fairly impossible to predict but just for fun, here we go!
The nominees are expected to be announced on November 15th.
If one looks at who could possibly dominate with wins on Grammy night in respective categories by submissions -- Beyoncé in Dance, Brandi Carlile in Americana, Zach Bryan in Country, and Kendrick Lamar in Rap -- they are the likely frontrunners for Album of the Year, with strong outside chances by Adele and Harry Styles, who are locks in the pop and general fields.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Both Beyoncé & Brandi Carlile submitted a rich array of submissions across genre and categories and are Grammy favorites. They should be in good positions for at least the top 2 to win. Adele, Beyoncé, Brandi Carlile, Harry Styles, and overdue Kendrick Lamar feel like locks. If any of those were to miss, it would be a surprise and would have likely have been the 5 nominees if the category hadn't expanded to 10.
The next group include huge hits like Bad Bunny, and breakout artists like Zach Bryan, Steve Lacy and ROSALÍA who provided one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year and could surprise.
There is also the solid, but not great, album from industry and tour-favorite Coldplay.
Strong possibilities:
Taylor Swift is peaking right now with the hotly buzzed and brilliantly-promoted release of Midnights during the voting period and is likely to be nominated for Red (Taylor's Version). Ed Sheeran could get his first nomination here since X.
Adele, 30
Bad Bunny, Un Verano Sin Ti
Beyoncé, Renaissance
Brandi Carlile, In These Silent Days
Coldplay, Music of the Spheres
Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
ROSALÍA, MOTOMAMI
Harry Styles, Harry's House
Zach Bryan, American Heartbreak
RECORD OF THE YEAR
The biggest single of the year is Harry Styles' winsome "As It Was," which on surface is an irresistible pop single about a relationship, but can also be read as a clear-eyed musing of how the world changed in 2020.
This could shape up to be a competitive category with Beyoncé's anthemic song, Adele's ballad, and the hard-hitting, Marvin Gaye-sampled Lamar track. Carlile's song is also well-performed and produced. Lizzo's disco tune showed remarkable staying power. Lacy's "Bad Habit" broke though mainstream radio. Coldplay and BTS are beloved and this just seems like a harmless, catchy, alt-adult radio tune to hit here. Sheeran and Doja Cat's records were also quite popular.
"About Damn Time," Lizzo
"As It Was," Harry Styles
"Bad Habit," Steve Lacy
"Break My Soul," Beyoncé
"Easy on Me," Adele
"The Heart Part 5," Kendrick Lamar
"My Universe," Coldplay and BTS
"Shivers," Ed Sheeran
"Woman," Doja Cat
"You and Me on the Rock," Brandi Carlile (with Lucius)
SONG OF THE YEAR
Admittedly, I'm unsure how to predict Taylor's new recordings of her old tracks--it will be interesting to see how that pans out--but she did breathe life into "All Too Well" alongside the high-profile short film she directed. SZA's "I Hate U" is the kind of smoldering tune that could miss in Record but land in Song. Same for Zach Bryan's lovely "Something in the Orange," which is a surefire Country Song nominee and maybe winner. "We Don't Talk About Bruno" was an unlikely soundtrack hit that made a huge impact during the eligibility window. Carlile's tune is lyrically and musically reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, who she performed with in a touching viral video this past summer.
"All Too Well (Taylor's Version - 10 Minute Version)," Taylor Swift
"As It Was," Harry Styles
"Bad Habit," Steve Lacy
"Break My Soul," Beyoncé
"Easy on Me," Adele
"The Heart Part 5," Kendrick Lamar
"I Hate U," SZA
"Something in the Orange," Zach Bryan
"We Don't Talk About Bruno," Lin-Manuel Miranda
"You and Me on the Rock," Brandi Carlile (with Lucius)
NEW ARTIST
This category is always weird. Artists that have been recording for years suddenly appear out of the blue. The below feel pretty likely overall and a mix of different genres as well.
Omar Apollo
Zach Bryan
Dove Cameron
Joji
Latto
Ravyn Lenae
Mitski
Stephen Sanchez
Rina Sawayama
Wet Leg
POP ALBUM
Adele and Harry Styles are the only locks here. Elton John made huge impressions and a feeling of fun and goodwill pairing with younger artists on The Lockdown Sessions. Lizzo and Coldplay seem like strong contenders to be nominated even if they possibly miss Album of the Year.
30, Adele
Special, Lizzo
Harry's House, Harry Styles
The Lockdown Sessions, Elton John
Music of the Spheres, Coldplay
POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
Fairly predictable picks here except for maybe breakouts Steve Lacy and Joji.
"All Too Well (Taylor's Version - 10 Minute Version," Taylor Swift
"As It Was," Harry Styles
"Bad Habit," Steve Lacy
"Easy on Me," Adele
"Glimpse of Us," Joji
POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
It's hard to narrow this category down but for now, Elton John helped usher in a breezy collab with Britney Spears. This would be Britney's first nomination since "Womanizer" if it materializes. Sam Smith and Kim Petras have one of the more ubiquitous tracks of the season right now. Lucius would be an outside choice, but is paired with two Grammy favorites.
"Dance Around It," Lucius (f/Brandi Carlile & Sheryl Crow)
"Hold Me Closer," Elton John and Britney Spears
"I Ain't Worried," OneRepublic
"My Universe," Coldplay and BTS
"Unholy," Sam Smith (f/Kim Petras)
"We Don't Talk About Bruno," Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz & cast of Encanto
RAP ALBUM
Future and Lamar seem like slam dunks here. Megan Thee Stallion still has love and goodwill since her Best New Artist victory. Pusha T's album is fabulous. Jack Harlow's nomination wouldn't really be deserving -- an underwhelming album despite some pleasing tracks -- but he's one of the more mainstream of the choices, so likely to be included.
Come Home the Kids Miss You, Jack Harlow
I NEVER LIKED YOU, Future
It's Almost Dry, Pusha T
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar
Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion
RAP SONG
Hoping Kendrick Lamar wins this category. An amazing song (and music video). It's the main track he's being considered for overall, despite his equally amazing single "N95."
"Diet Coke," Pusha T
"The Heart Part 5," Kendrick Lamar
"Hot Shit," Cardi B
"Plan B," Megan Thee Stallion
"Wait For U," Future (f/Drake and Tems)
RAP PERFORMANCE
The Grammys have shown a lot of love to all the artists here. Will be nice to see female rappers possibly dominate the category.
"Cash In Cash Out," Pharrell Williams with 21 Savage and Tyler, The Creator
"The Heart Part 5," Kendrick Lamar
"Hot Shit," Cardi B
"Plan B," Megan Thee Stallion
"Vegas," Doja Cat
MELODIC RAP PERFORMANCE
Something tells me I'm underestimating Post Malone overall, but am having trouble placing him in different categories. He seems pretty likely here though, and perhaps for the win. The "Return of the Mack" mix is peaking right now.
"Cooped Up," Post Malone f/Roddy Ricch
"Die Hard," Kendrick Lamar (f/BLXST & Amanda Reifer)
"First Class," Jack Harlow
"No Mas," Quavo, Anitta, J Balvin, & Pharrell Williams
"Wait For U," Future (f/Drake and Tems)
R&B ALBUM
A little hard to predict, as the nominees I've narrowed down to are unlikely to be top category performers, but a solid group nevertheless. There's been a lot of love for Mary J. this year in particular because of her Super Bowl performance.
Blue Water Road, Kehlani
Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe), Mary J. Blige
KEYS, Alicia Keys
Legend, John Legend
Still Over It, Summer Walker
PROGRESSIVE R&B ALBUM
Steve Lacy is the big artist from this group -- but some great, wide-ranging album choices here.
Before You Go, BLXST
Gemini Rights, Steve Lacy
Hypnos, Ravyn Lenae
Red Balloon, Tank and the Bangas
Wasteland, Brent Faiyaz
R&B SONG
I'm hoping SZA gets in here! Here's where the spread-the-wealth nomination haul for Beyoncé could begin.
"Best of Me," Alicia Keys
"Cuff It," Beyoncé
"Give You the World," Steve Lacy
"Good Morning Gorgeous," Mary J. Blige
"I Hate U," SZA
R&B PERFORMANCE
Both "Black Superhero" and "Hoodie" seem likely Grammy choices if they can break through. Jazmine Sullivan took everyone by surprise when she won R&B album over Grammy darling H.E.R. and the Album of the Year winner Jon Batiste, so could surface here and possibly R&B song for "Hurt Me So Good."
"Black Superhero," Robert Glasper
"Hoodie," Ari Lennox
"Hurt Me So Good," Jazmine Sullivan
"I Hate U," SZA
"Virgo's Groove," Beyoncé
TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
Omar Apollo's song is beautiful, and he's an interesting artist to watch this Grammy season. The others are just guesses based on strong previous track records.
"Evergreen," Omar Apollo
"Good Morning Gorgeous," Mary J. Blige
"Keeps on Fallin'," Babyface and Ella Mai
"Plastic Off the Sofa," Beyoncé
"Round Midnight," Jazmine Sullivan
DANCE ALBUM
Unless something truly strange happens, Beyoncé is a lock here (and to win).
Diplo, Diplo
Fragments, Bonobo
The Last Goodbye, Odesza
Paradise Again, Swedish House Mafia
Renassaince, Beyoncé
DANCE RECORDING
Beyoncé likely to easily sweep these two categories, but underestimate H.E.R. at your own peril at the Grammys (the song is pretty lush and great though).
"Break My Soul," Beyoncé
"I'm Good (Blue)," David Guetta & Bebe Rexha
"Intimidated," KAYTRANADA (f/H.E.R.)
"Turn on the Lights Again," Swedish House Mafia (f/Future)
"Waterfall," Disclosure and Raye
COUNTRY ALBUM
The country breakout album of the year is probably Zach Bryan. His aching "Something in the Orange" tune should make a huge impact this season.
American Heartbreak, Zach Bryan
Different Man, Kane Brown
Humble Quest, Maren Morris
Palomino, Miranda Lambert
Where We Started, Thomas Rhett
COUNTRY SONG
Ballerini is a well-respected songwriter in the country world, as is Morris. Walker Hayes song is cheesy, but it's popular and kind of infectious. Bryan seems like the easy winner here ultimately.
"AA," Walker Hayes
"Circles Around This Town," Maren Morris
"Heartfirst," Kelsea Ballerini
"If I Was a Cowboy," Miranda Lambert
"Something in the Orange," Zach Bryan
COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
Sometimes a performance at a previous ceremony can help land a nomination in the following year. That could be the case for Carrie Underwood. The rest are all much more notable country songs. Kane Brown is another artist to be on the lookout for having a strong narrative this season.
"Circles Around This Town," Maren Morris
"Ghost Story," Carrie Underwood
"Like I Love Country Music," Kane Brown
"Something in the Orange," Zach Bryan
"Trouble With Heartbreak," Jason Aldean
COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
Plant and Krauss' follow-up to Raising Sand has been a bit muted, but here's a category where they are likely to show up, and also across Americana.
"Going Where the Lonely Go," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
"Half of Me," Thomas Rhett (f/Riley Green)
"Outrunnin' Your Memory," Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert
"Rich Man," Little Big Town
"Wishful Drinking," Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt
AMERICANA ALBUM
Brandi Carlile's performance of "Right on Time" was arguably the finest from the last ceremony. She seems extremely likely to get one of the largest nomination hauls overall, with strong submissions spread across genre (including Producer of the Year). In addition, she could potentially sweep the Americana categories, making her competitive for Album of the Year.
Big Time, Angel Olsen
Entering Heaven Alive, Jack White
In These Silent Days, Brandi Carlile
Just Like That..., Bonnie Raitt
Raise the Roof, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
AMERICAN ROOTS SONG
"Carolina," Taylor Swift
"High and Lonesome," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
"If I Die Tomorrow," Jack White
"Until I Found You," Stephen Sanchez
"You and Me on the Rock," Brandi Carlile (with Lucius)
AMERICAN ROOTS PERFORMANCE
"Carolina," Taylor Swift
"Heavy Eyes," Zach Bryan
"Made Up Mind," Bonnie Raitt
"Until I Found You," Stephen Sanchez
"You and Me on the Rock," Brandi Carlile (with Lucius)
ROCK ALBUM
A lot of older artists here, which is sometimes how the category goes. Red Hot Chili Peppers seem the most likely to land. The Grammys love The Black Keys and Jack White too (who has two albums up for contention). Muse made some cool choices with the release of their album -- giving shine to indie record stores.
Dropout Boogie, The Black Keys
Earthling, Eddie Vedder
Fear of the Dawn, Jack White
Unlimited Love, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Will of the People, Muse
ROCK SONG
Will Brandi break through the traditionally male rock categories? It's hard to say, but I'm expecting her to overperform in general.
"Black Summer," Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Broken Horses," Brandi Carlile
"Taking Me Back," Jack White
"Wild Child," The Black Keys
"Won't Stand Down," Muse
ROCK PERFORMANCE
Going off artist pedigree here: the non-album tracks I'm predicting to show up are by Beck (a really gorgeous cover of Neil Young -- does it feel "rock" enough though?) and Pink Floyd.
"Broken Horses," Brandi Carlile
"Hey Hey Rise Up," Pink Floyd (f/Andriy Khlyvnyuk)
"Old Man," Beck
"Taking Me Back," Jack White
"Won't Stand Down," Muse
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Competitive category. Any one of these could miss, though I feel fairly certain Thom Yorke-fronted The Smile will get in. And there are other strong / notable contenders to show up here as well: Big Thief, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House, MUNA, Mitski, Father John Misty, FKA twigs, Florence and the Machine, and Maggie Rogers. Her album was acclaimed but somewhat divisive, yet Bjork is 0 for 15 (!) ... could she finally win (if nominated)? As far as I know, this was her only submission overall.
A Light for Attracting Attention, The Smile
Fossora: Bjork
Ivory, Omar Apollo
We, Arcade Fire
Wet Leg, Wet Leg
ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE
The return of Yeah Yeah Yeahs was an exciting one, so I'm figuring they could make it in both Alt categories (I'm just not sure who to swap them out with in album). Arctic Monkeys is the only one who isn't in contention for album, but they have received 5 Grammy nominations in the past.
"Chaise Lounge," Wet Leg
"Certainty," Big Thief
"The Smoke," The Smile
"Spitting Off the Edge of the World," Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"There'd Better Be a Mirror Ball," Arctic Monkeys
SONG FOR VISUAL MEDIA
If the line-up is this, it will be one of the biggest battles of current pop culture superstars. It will be interesting to see who gets in and who wins.
"Be Alive," from King Richard
"Carolina," from Where the Crawdads Sing
"Hold My Hand," from Top Gun: Maverick
"I'm Tired," Euphoria - Season 2
"Nobody Like U," from Turning Red
"We Don't Talk About Bruno," from Encanto
ENGINEERED ALBUM (NON-CLASSICAL)
A category to take note of: sometimes engineered album is a bellwether for an Album of the Year frontrunner (including Beck, Billie Eilish, Daft Punk, Ray Charles, Norah Jones, Steely Dan).
Black Radio III, Robert Glasper
Fear of the Dawn, Jack White
In These Silent Days, Brandi Carlile
Music of the Spheres, Coldplay (don't underestimate the work of Jacob Collier!)
We, Arcade Fire
MUSIC VIDEO
"All Too Well (Taylor's Version - 10 Minute Version)," Taylor Swift
"Cash In Cash Out," Pharrell Williams with 21 Savage and Tyler, The Creator
"The Heart Part 5," Kendrick Lamar
"Unholy," Sam Smith f/Kim Petras
"You Will Never Work in Television Again," The Smile
-Jeffery Berg
