Now that it’s been confirmed that CBS Program Practices sent a memo on wardrobe to warn artists appearing at the Grammys that “thong type costumes are problematic,” one thing is for certain: This show is so not going to be as fun as potentially could be. Or maybe it will, depending on how your perspective on revealing costumes. Nonetheless, this weekend marks the biggest awards show in music, and in preparation, here are some predictions on the categories that matter most with many of us.
Feel free to leave your two cents in the comment section below:
Record of the Year
The Black Keys, “Lonely Boy”
Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe, “We Are Young”
Gotye featuring Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used to Know”
Frank Ocean, “Thinkin’ Bout You”
Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
Prediction: I would love it if Frank Ocean won and would absolutely hate if I have to see Taylor Swift feign shock over winning her thousandth award. However, neither scenario probably will happen. I’m betting on Goyte.
Album of the Year
The Black Keys, El Camino
Fun., Some Nights
Mumford & Sons, Babel
Frank Ocean, Channel Orange
Jack White, Blunderbuss
Prediction: A Black will win, but not the one I desire.
Song of the Year
Ed Sheeran, “The A Team”
Miguel, “Adorn”
Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe, “We Are Young
Prediction: Oh, Miguel, how I want this so badly for you. Unfortunately, it’ll probably go to Kelly Clarkson. So unless “Call Me Maybe” pulls an upset, look for an American Idol producer to @ the competition to say, “Y’all ain’t bad. Y’all ain’t nothing.
Best New Artist
Alabama Shakes
Fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean
Prediction: Frank Ocean…because he has to win one of the major categories.
Best R&B Album
Robert Glasper Experiment, Black Radio
Anthony Hamilton, Back To Love
R. Kelly, Write Me Back
Tamia, Beautiful Surprise
Tyrese, Open Invitation
Prediction: Someone named Robert.
Best Urban Contemporary Record
Chris Brown, Fortune
Miguel, Kaleidoscope Dream
Frank Ocean, Channel Orange
Prediction: channel ORANGE will win, but Kaleidoscope Dream is just as if not slightly more deserving. Even if this is a made up category for genre-bending Blacks who sing, Chris Brown doesn’t belong. Fortune sucked.
Best R&B Song
Miguel, “Adorn”
Tamia, “Beautiful Surprise”
Trez Songz, “Heart Attack”
Anthony Hamilton, “Pray for Me”
Elle Varner, “Refill”
Prediction: Miguel’s fresh press ‘n curl for the event will not be in vain. A televised win in this category will be his consolation prize.
Best R&B Performance
Estelle, “Thank You”
Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi, “Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)”
Luke James, “I Want You”
Miguel, “Adorn”
Usher, “Climax”
Prediction: Usher should win, but he’ll likely lose to Miguel. Serves him right for teasing us with this awesome display of forward-leaning R&B and going right back to the rave for the follow up single.
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Anita Baker, “Lately”
Beyoncé, “Love On Top”
Melanie Fiona, “Wrong Side Of A Love Song”
Gregory Porter, “Real Good Hands”
SWV, “If Only You Knew”
Prediction: Beyoncé, obviously, though this won’t right the wrongs of the academy ignoring 4.
Best Rap Album
Drake, Take Care
Lupe Fiasco, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1
Nas, Life Is Good
The Roots, Undun
Rick Ross, God Forgives, I Don’t
2 Chainz, Based on a T.R.U. Story
Prediction: Drake even if Nas would be a nice surprise.
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Flo’Rida featuring Sia, “Wild Ones”
Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream, “No Church In The Wild”
John Legend featuring Ludacris, “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)”
Nas featuring Amy Winehouse, “Cherry Wine”
Rihanna featuring Jay-Z, “Talk That Talk”
Prediction: Jay-Z and Kanye West, but know that Nicki Minaj was snubbed.
Best Rap Song
Nas, “Daughters”
Wale featuring Miguel, “Lotus Flower Bomb”
Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz, “Mercy”
Drake featuring Lil’ Wayne, “The Motto”
Jay-Z and Kanye West, “N***as In Paris”
Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, “Young, Wild & Free”
Prediction: I’d go for “Daughters,” but this looks like another win for Hov & ‘Ye, though maybe, just maybe, Drake might score another win. YOLO or whatever.
Best Rap Performance
Drake featuring Lil Wayne, “HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)”
Jay-Z and Kanye West, “N****s in Paris”
Nas, “Daughters”
Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz, “Mercy”
Young Jeezy featuring Jay-Z and Andre 3000, “I Do”
Prediction: “Mercy.”
Best Gospel Album
James Fortune and FIYA, Identity
Israel and New Breed, Jesus At The Center Live
Lecrae, Gravity
Marvin Sapp, I Win
Anita Wilson, Worship Soul
Prediction: Marvin Sapp. Praise Jesus, y’all.
As for the performers, I anticipate Rihanna to sound better than Alicia Keys; Justin Timberlake to serve much Robin Thicke realness; Miguel will do a split; Frank Ocean will give Harlem Boys Choir member who skipped rehearsal but offers raw emotion teases; everyone will make you wish Beyoncé was booked.
Michael Arceneaux is a Houston-bred, Howard-educated writer and blogger. You can read more of his work on his site, The Cynical Ones. Follow him on Twitter: @youngsinick
