Predicting the nominations for the GRAMMY Awards proves to be a difficult task each year. These predictions are simply predictions and should be treated as such.
This year, the Recording Academy expanded the number of nominations from 5 to 8 in each of the General Field categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. Many predict that this expansion will allow for better recognition of work from more female artists, artists of color, as well as recognize the work of artists from less typically nominated genres in the General Field.
Many fields/categories, including those in the General Field, go through a special voting process. Eligible recordings are submitted, then all Recording Academy voters conduct the first round of voting before a secret “Nominations Review Committee” dwindles the top 20 voted entries from the first round of voting down to the final 8 nominees announced to the public.
Official nominations will be announced in all 84 categories on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will honor recordings released between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center on Sunday, February 10, 2019 and will broadcast live on CBS at 8PM ET/5PM PT.
Album of the Year
Ariana Grande – Sweetener
Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
Drake –Scorpion
Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
Post Malone – beerbongs & bentleys
Sam Smith – The Thrill of It All
Taylor Swift – reputation
The Carters – Everything Is Love
Other Possibilities / Wild Cards: Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer, Camila Cabello – Camila, Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty, Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 2, Various Artists – Black Panther: The Album
I predict that absolute superstar Ariana Grande will finally get her first AOTY nomination with Sweetener. Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy is one of the most well-received debut albums released lately. Drake is a Grammy favorite, so you’re sure to see Scorpion here. Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour is one of the critics’ favorites of the year, she just won Album of the Year at the CMAs, and she could represent country in the AOTY category that doesn’t always show love to the genre. Post Malone is a less obvious choice, but beerbongs & bentleys was a massive mainstream success. Sam Smith, another less than obvious choice with The Thrill of It All, while less of a mainstream success than his last, may have garnered enough critic success to receive a nom. There does not seem like a scenario where Taylor Swift does not get nominated here for reputation. Beyoncé and JAY-Z are the Grammy’s favorites to nominate, so I expect to see The Carters here with Everything Is Love.
Record of the Year
Ariana Grande – “God is a woman”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be”
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin – “I Like It”
Childish Gambino – “This Is America”
Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé – “Perfect Duet”
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars”
The Carters – “APES**T”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey – “The Middle”
Other Possibilities / Wild Cards: Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B – “Girls Like You,” Drake – “God’s Plan,” Dan + Shay – “Tequila,” Juice WRLD – “Lucid Dreams,” Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar”
Ariana Grande’s “God is a woman” is one of the standouts from Sweetener and has been a huge hit at radio this year. There was not a more massive country song this year than Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be,” so it should get recognized here. Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin’s song of the summer “I Like It” is the earworm everyone was (and still is) playing. Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” shot straight to #1, and everyone saw the music video, sure to have gotten voters’ attention. Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé joined forces for “Perfect Duet,” his perfect song that only got more perfect with her. Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s “All The Stars” comes from the hit Black Panther: The Album that was a great success earlier this year. The Carters’ “APES**T” was the most popular from their surprise drop. Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey’s “The Middle” was the unexpected crossover hit of the year that just killed it.
Song of the Year
“Boo’d Up” – Ella Mai
“Delicate” – Taylor Swift
“God’s Plan” – Drake
“Lucid Dreams” – Juice WRLD
“no tears left to cry” – Ariana Grande
“Shallow” – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
“This Is Me” – Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble
Other Possibilities / Wild Cards: “Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood, “In My Blood” – Shawn Mendes, “Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson, “Pray” – Sam Smith, “Love Lies” – Khalid & Normani
Ella Mai is predicted by many in the industry to show up here with “Boo’d Up.” “Delicate” seems most likely to represent Taylor Swift for SOTY. Drake had several hits this year, but “God’s Plan” will probably hold him up here. Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Dreams” sampled Sting’s “Shape Of My Heart” and is predicted by many to get nominated here. Ariana Grande chose to submit “no tears left to cry” for SOTY, so I expect to see it here when nominations come out. A Star Is Born is the movie everyone is talking about this year, but only one song from the Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper film and soundtrack is eligible, “Shallow,” so it could very well get some love thanks to the movie’s success. Dan + Shay released one of the best songs of the year with “Tequila,” and I hope the GRAMMYs get it right by recognizing them with a Song of the Year nomination. “This Is Me” from Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble was the standout track from the hit film.
Best New Artist
Bazzi
Bebe Rexha
Dua Lipa
Ella Mai
Juice WRLD
Luke Combs
Marshmello
Troye Sivan
Other Possibilities / Wild Cards: Chloe x Halle, Greta Van Fleet, Billie Eilish, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R.
Some artists have been omitted from this category due to their breakout success, so here’s who is left. Bazzi had a breakout hit with “Mine” and is currently enjoying the success of “Beautiful” featuring Camila Cabello. Bebe Rexha has been grinding in the industry for quite some time, and with the release of her debut album Expectations, it is clear she should be recognized. Dua Lipa shot to international superstardom this year thanks to several successful singles. Ella Mai is predicted to be a GRAMMY favorite this year, so it seems right she appear in the BNA field. Juice WRLD is predicted to appear in some of the general field categories and has gained attention with his song, “Lucid Dreams.” Luke Combs has had a stellar year in the country genre, enjoying the success of his debut album This One’s For You, as well as being fresh off his win for Best New Artist at the CMAs. Hitmaker Marshmello could represent EDM in this category. Troye Sivan’s album Bloom is regarded as one of this year’s critic successes, so it would not be unlikely to see him get this nomination.
Official nominations will be announced in all 84 categories on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will honor recordings released between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center on Sunday, February 10, 2019, and will broadcast live on CBS at 8PM ET/5PM PT.
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