Song of the year nominees:
“All Of The Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, and Fergie
“The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
“Grenade” by Bruno Mars
“Holocene” by Bon Iver
“Rolling In the Deep” by Adele
Predictions:
SM: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
I think Adele's got all of the major categories pretty much locked up. It’s the trifecta of popular appeal, critical approval and blockbuster commercial success. Kanye's “All of the Lights” has a shot here, simply because it involves so many other stars, but sometimes there’s no stopping steam trains.
RBP: “Rolling In The Deep” by Adele
Sorry hip-hop heads, Adele is going to roll away with this one. Kanye’s “All Of The Lights” is a deserving track — many still haven’t caught all the heavyweight cameos on that one — but it won’t be enough to stop that widely accessible juggernaut of a hit.
AM:“Rolling In The Deep” by Adele
Because I think Bon Iver’s “Holocene” could get Record—as if I really understand the criteria for this—Adele will take Song.
DH: “All Of The Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, and Fergie
Adele is gonna clean up in Record and/or Album of the year categories, so can the jurors please break a brotha’ off a lil’ something here? This is the Retribution Award for Kanye considering he really should have gotten a nomination for Album and/or Record of the year.
Best New Artist Nominees:
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex
Predictions:
SM: Skrillex
Nicki Minaj is a strong contender, but the Academy will give it to Skrillex so that they can pretend they like electronic music.
RBP: Nicki Minaj
I think Minaj might steal this one in a shocker. She’s got mad mainstream cred and her Pink Friday was pop enough (“Super Bass” anyone?) to leave an impression.
AM: Skrillex
Who is The Band Perry? Skrillex is the Grammy’s street cred act this year.
DH: Nicki Minaj
It sure as hell doesn’t feel like Nicki Minaj is new–what’s the criteria for this award again?–but “Super Bass” has arguably had a much larger impact on pop culture than the rest. Like, did Bon Iver get a personal invite from Madonna to collaborate with her at Super Bowl XLVI? I think not.
Best Rap Performance Nominees:
“Look At Me Now” by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
“The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco
“Moment 4 Life” by Nicki Minaj and Drake
“Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
Predictions:
SM: “Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Love the smiling heroic all-American performance on “Otis” and think it will probably be the Academy’s sole nod to this record.
RBP: “Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Jay-Z and Kanye West take this one handily. The key word here, boys and girls, is performance and I think Watch The Throne stands tall against all others in this category.
AM: “Moment 4 Life" by Nicki Minaj & Drake
“Moment 4 Life” is actually a really good showpiece for Nicki’s range, and Drake wasn’t so bad on it either.
DH: “Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Uhh, this is the Retribution Award for Kanye considering he really should have gotten a nomination for Album and/or Record of the year! Though Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” comes a strong second. Be very scared.
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominees:
“Party” by Beyoncé and André 3000
“I'm On One” by DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne
“I Need A Doctor” by Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey
“What's My Name?” by Rihanna and Drake
“Motivation” by Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne
“All Of The Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie
Predictions:
SM: “All of the Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie
This deserves to go to the dour bounce of “I’m On One”— and to Rick Ross more than Drake, Wayne or DJ Khaled. But I think the Academy will be seduced by “All of the Lights” and its big-budget dazzle.
RBP: “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne
Wasn’t a huge fan of this track, but have to give it them over Kanye’s “All of fhe Lights.” Watch West for his reaction.
AM: “I'm On One” by DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne
It’s probably a fallacy that DJ Khaled should win a Grammy, but whatever, this song is hot!
DH: “I'm On One” by DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne
In a field where the collaborations this year are weak, at best—most of the tracks feature weak crooning, and even worse raps—Drake’s instantly hummable hook coupled with Weezy and Rozay’s fanciful rhyme spitting wins out.
Best Rap Song Nominees:
“All of the Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie
“Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
“I Need A Doctor” Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey
“Look At Me Now” by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
“The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco
Predictions:
SM: “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
Please, please, please reward the unstoppable high-fiving earworm that is “Black and Yellow.”
RBP: “All of the Lights” by Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy finally gets some love here. Deserves this.
AM: “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
“Black and Yellow” will win because Kanye West will always have a hard time, Chris Brown should never win anything ever again, and we can’t reward mediocre output from Dr. Dre and Lupe Fiasco.
DH: “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
This song was so catchy it did the crossover thing, and became the unofficial anthem for drunken, ADD, smart phone-addicted college students everywhere!
Best Rap Album Nominees:
Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Tha Carter IV by Lil Wayne
Lasers by Lupe Fiasco
Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Predictions:
SM: Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
This was not the best rap album of 2011, but Minaj has been working harder for her label than anyone else in the business. She'll receive a reward.
RBP: Watch The Throne by Jay-Z & Kanye West
This is a toss-up, honestly. Right now, I’d give the nod to WTT.
AM: Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
I think the Grammys will feel good about giving this to a woman; also, in this category, it’s second highest in sales against The Carter IV, which was a mediocre record.
DH: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
If this disc doesn’t win it, then it’s Watch The Throne with Hova (Jay-Z). Hot beats meet smart polished rhymes.
Best Recording Package Nominees:
Chickenfoot III by Chickenfoot
Good Luck & True Love by Reckless Kelly
Rivers and Homes by J.Viewz
Scenes from The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Predictions:
RBP: Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
The Riccardo Tisci-designed album cover was brilliant in its unabashed ostentatiousness.
AM: Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
The Watch The Throne sleeve is gold foil designed by Givenchy's Ricardo Tisci. Sometimes you need to bow to extravagance.
DH: Scenes from The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Not sure how Watch The Throne snuck in here for a nom, but I absolutely loathe the design on it.
Best Long Form Music Video Nominees:
I Am...World Tour by Beyoncé
Foo Fighters: Back and Forth by Foo Fighters
Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon by Kings of Leon
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest by A Tribe Called Quest
Nine Types Of Light by TV On The Radio
Predictions:
SM: Foo Fighters: Back and Forth by Foo Fighters
I wish Michael Rapaport’s Tribe doc had a shot, but they’ll give this one to the men with guitars playing music in garages.
RBP: Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest
Surprising entry here, but I think it will take it. Great doc.
AM: I Am...World Tour by Beyoncé
While Beats, Rhymes & Life was a great movie-going experience (the drums!) and TV On The Radio should win because they are the best band ever, Beyoncé will win because she's all theatrics, and that's what makes a good music video.
DH: Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest by A Tribe Called Quest
Everyone’s been curious as to what happened to ATCQ group member Jarobi. There’s nothing in Talihina Sky: Story of Kings of Leon that can rival that, sorry.