It is January and that means Grammy prediction time! The nominations, which were revealed last month, have been dominated by Eminem's staggering 10 nods, followed by Bruno Mars at seven, Jay-Z, Lady Antebellum, and Lady Gaga with six, while B.o.B and John Legend share five nominations each. With so many big names in music competing against each other, it will be very interesting to see who ends up the big winner of 2011. But until February 13th arrives, here are some predictions of mine for the winners of the upcoming ceremony.
Record of the Year
Nothin' On You - B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars
Love The Way You Lie - Eminem featuring Rihanna
F*** You - Cee-Lo Green
Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
PREDICTION: Love The Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna. This unexpected hip hop ballad, between two artists who have had their own personal connections to violent relationships, is beautifully arranged and performed, while artfully describing the hardships of domestic violence. It spent a solid six weeks at the top of the Hot 100 and has been a critics' favorite. If not Em & RiRi, Cee-Lo's "F*** You" might find itself the winner.
Album of the Year
The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
Recovery - Eminem
Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
PREDICTION: Recovery - Eminem. Ten nominations is not a fluke and considering how well Beyonce did last year with the same number of nominations, I see Eminem taking this award. Recovery was a return to greatness that his 2009 album lacked, and having spawned some massive hits while also producing critically praised music, I find it hard for any other nominee to take this from Detroit's emcee. Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster is certainly a contender if Em is not victorious.
Song of the Year
Beg Steal or Borrow - Ray LeMontagne
F*** You - Cee-Lo Green
The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert
Love The Way You Lie - Eminem featuring Rihanna
Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
PREDICTION: F*** You by Cee-Lo Green. Being that this is a songwriter's award and the massive attention this song has received because of its lyrical content, this is a likely favorite for the award. The song's songwriters include Brody Brown, Ari Levine, Phillip Lawrence, and Bruno Mars, in addition to the performer, all of whom will receive a Grammy should it win. Love The Way You Lie is a close second for this award.
Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence & The Machine
Mumford & Sons
Esperanza Spalding
PREDICTION: Florence & The Machine. With their incredibly strong debut album, Lungs, the indie band has emerged as one of the strongest new acts of 2010. Add to the impressive musical content from their album the fact that they have achieved significant success on this side of the pond, it would be surprising to not see them take the new artist award. If not Florence Welch's band, Drake is a strong contender for this award.
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
King of Anything - Sara Bareilles
Halo (Live) - Beyonce
Chasing Pirates - Norah Jones
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
PREDICTION: Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga has had a huge 2010, all beginning with the tour de force that is Bad Romance. It has strong vocals, descriptive lyrics, and a sound that takes the best of "Poker Face" by amplifying it to the nth power. Add to that, the song has become a huge hit and will likely take this award with ease. Although I am betting my all on Gaga's victory here, Chasing Pirates by Norah Jones is the only other song that could cause a huge upset in this category.
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble
This Is It - Michael Jackson
Whataya Want From Me - Adam Lambert
Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Half Of My Heart - John Mayer
PREDICTION: Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars. As sappy as this song may be, it is a very strong song that has widespread appeal to attract both critics and the masses. It has transformed Bruno Mars from a featured artist to an artist that has the vocal chops and individuality to have a successful solo career. Furthermore, this song is the epitome of Bruno's strong writing and singing skills. A possible contender for this award is This Is It by Michael Jackson, as it is the first awards ceremony that his posthumous music has become eligible for new Grammy awards.
More award predictions will be added as we near the date of the Grammys. Don't forget to watch the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 13th, 2011.
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