In honor of the Grammy Awards tonight, I’ve listed my predictions below. I chose the “Winner” based on who I think will win the award, not who I personally think should win – most of my personal opinions line up anyway. The Grammy’s are largely a popularity contest based on who got the most radio play, so of course you’re going to see a bunch of Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish. While the most popular nominees are played out by now (at least they are to me), there’s no denying that they certainly do appeal to the masses, and are worthy of nominations. Can I also just say that in a time where the airwaves are dominated by pop and rap, it’s embarrassing what’s become of the Rock genre. It’s been a while since we’ve had a decent set of nominees in rock categories, but this year might take the cake. Rival Sons?? I Prevail?? Bring Me The Horizon?? Has anyone ever heard of these groups?  Coming off the generation with bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Blink-182, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, etc., it’s sad to see how unpopular rock has become. I’m just hoping Greta Van Fleet is everything I think they can be, and help to revive the genre. 

Let’s get to the list.

Record of the Year:

Nominees: Bon Iver (Hey, Ma), Lizzo (Truth Hurts), Khalid (Talk), Billie Eilish (bad guy), Post Malone & Swae Lee (Sunflower), H.E.R. (Hard Place), Ariana Grande (7 Rings), Lis Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road (Remix).

Winner: Lis Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road (Remix)

Song of the Year:

Nominees: Billie Eilish (bad guy), Lewis Capaldi (Someone You Loved), Lady Gaga (Always Remember Us This Way), Taylor Swift (Lover), H.E.R. (Hard Place), Lizzo (Truth Hurts), Lana Del Rey (Norman fucking Rockwell, Tanya Tucker (Bring My Flowers Now).

Winner: Billie Eilish (bad guy)

Album of the Year:

Nominees: Lana Del Rey (Norman Fucking Rockwell!), Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next), Bon Iver (I,I), Lil Nas X (7), Vampire Weekend (Father of the Bride), Billie Eilish (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), H.E.R. (I Used to Know Her), Lizzo (Cuz I Love You)

Winner: Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next)

Best New Artist:

Nominees: Lis Nas X, Rosalia, Lizzo, Tank and the Bangas, Black Pumas, Billie Eilish, Yola, Maggie Rogers

Winner: Billie Eilish

Best Pop Solo Performance:

Nominees: Lizzo (Truth Hurts), Billie Eilish (bad guy), Beyonce (Spirit), Ariana Grande (7 rings), Taylor Swift (You Need to Calm Down)

Winner: Lizzo (Truth Hurts)

Best Pop Pop Duo/Group Performance:

Nominees: Ariana Grande & Social House (Boyfriend), Post Malone & Swae Lee (Sunflower), Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes (Señorita), Jonas Brothers (Sucker), Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road (Remix)

Winner: Post Malone & Swae Lee (Sunflower)

Best Pop Vocal Album:

Nominees: Taylor Swift (Lover), Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next), Billie Eilish (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), Ed Sheeran (No.6 Collaborations Project), Beyonce (The Lion King: The Gift)

Winner: Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next)

Best Rock Song:

Nominees: Vampire Weekend (Harmony Hall), Gary Clark Jr. (This Land), The 1975 (Give Yourself A Try), Brittany Howard (History Repeats), Tool (Fear Inoculum)

Winner: Vampire Weekend (Harmony Hall)

Best Rock Album:

Nominees: I Prevail (Trauma), The Cranberries (in the end), Bring Me the Horizon (amo), Cage The Elephant (Social Cues), Rival Sons (Feral Roots)

Winner: Cage The Elephant (Social Cues)

Best Rap Performance:

Nominees: Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy (Down Bad), DaBaby (Suge), Cardi B featuring Offset (Clout), J. Cole (MIDDLE CHILD), Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (Racks In The Middle)

Winner: DaBaby (Suge)

Best Rap/Sung Performance:

Nominees: DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend (Higher), Lil Baby & Gunna (Drip Too Hard), Mustard Featuring Roddy Ricch (Ballin’), Lil Nas X, (Panini), Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott (The London)

Winner: DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend (Higher)

Best Rap Song:

Nominees: YBN Cordae Featuring Chance The Rapper (Bad Idea), 21 Savage Featuring J. Cole (a lot), DaBaby (Suge), Rick Ross Featuring Drake (Gold Roses), Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (Racks In The Middle)

Winner: Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (Racks In The Middle)

Best Rap Album:

Nominees: Tyler, the Creator (Igor), J. Cole (Revenge of the Dreamers III), 21 Savage (I Am > I Was), Meek Mill (Championships), YBN Cordae (The Lost Boy)

Winner: Meek Mill (Championships)

(And just for shits and giggles) Best Comedy Album:

Nominees: Jim Gaffigan (Quality Time), Dave Chappelle (Sticks & Stones), Ellen DeGeneres (Relatable), Trevor Noah (Son of Patricia), Aziz Ansari (Right Now)

Winner: Dave Chappelle (Sticks & Stones)