Grammy 2017 Predictions - Part 2

After revealing the general fields last week, let's continue to predict some of the categories that people actually care about to generate more traffic for this blog. Lol just kidding. 

1. Best Pop Vocal Album

Much like its counterpart in Album of the Year, Adele's 25 will be a lock. And also regardless how much you hate Justin Bieber during his adolescent years, he's definitely matured in his latest effort, Purpose, and I can see that this will be nominated. Talking about young singers, it's safe to assume that the vocal powerhouse slash mini Mariah Carey slash Ariana Grande's kinky album, Dangerous Woman to sneak a nod here. Not only it showcases Grande's vocal, I guess this album also becomes the committee's guilty pleasure. Mentioning Justin Bieber and Arian Grande, I can't help but think of their fellow, Selena Gomez. Does Revival deserve a mention in this category? 

Have I mentioned how much Grammy loves Sia? This Is Acting will get a nomination definitely, but everyone will lose against 25. We still don't know where David Bowie's Blackstar will go, it can go to either rock or pop, but I'm not courageous enough to put Blackstar on pop category. I still have Zayn's Mind of Mine and Meghan Trainor's Thank You, and considering Trainor is last year's best new artist (ummm) Grammy probably won't miss nominating Thank You. 

There's not much contender from band for this category, except for the obvious choice Coldplay's A Head Full of Dreams which is released on last December. 

Final Predictions:

1. Adele, 25

2. Ariana Grade, Dangerous Woman or Meghan Trainor, Thank You

3. Justin Bieber, Purpose 

4. Sia, This Is Acting

5. Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams

2. Best Pop Solo Performance

Expect to see Adele as she lands her millionth nomination with "Hello". Justin Bieber can also join this category with his "Love Yourself". From critically loved album, Dangerous Woman, Ariana Grande can send "Into You". Sia also can send the solo version of "Cheap Thrills" if she feels like it, Or she can send the Sean Paul's version for group/duo performance, but considering how terrible Sean Paul's version is, I guess it's safe to assume Sia will send the solo version. 

Who will fill the remaining nominees will be pretty much a wild guess. Since I have put Lady Gaga's "Perfect Illusion" in Record of the Year category, I can also put her here. Also two songs that debut in first position in Billboard Hot 100, Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling", especially after being criminally shut out in Grammy three years ago, and Zayn's "Pillowtalk" could see some light here. Will Katy Perry's Olympic anthem, "Rise", receive some recognition? And of course we cannot overlook the Record of the Year Lady Gaga's "Perfect Illusion" here.

Final Predictions:
1. Adele, "Hello"
2. Justin Bieber, "Love Youreself"
3. Ariana Grande, "Into You"
4. Lady Gaga, "Perfect Illusion" or Sia, "Cheap Thrills" (if she goes solo)
5. Justin Timberlake, "Can't Stop The Feeling"

3. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Thank God Adele doesn't do any collaboration this year, so we can take a breathe from her. Unlike last year when we have many collaboration, this year's a little bit different, because not many collaboration songs. That will make our job either easier or harder.

If Sia's team decides to send her Sean Paul's version (ew) of "Cheap Thrills" that's fine, meanwhile we can get Coldplay's "Hymn for the Weekend (featuring Beyonce)" here, one of Coldplay's best, but mostly due to Beyonce's contribution. I decided to ignore Rihanna's "Work" because that will go to urban/R&B category, but will it crossover in pop category? Talking about genre ambiguity, is Twenty One Pilots considered pop? Or is The Chainsmokers pop? Well, it's hard question, but if they aren't pop we don't have any nominees left to join Lukas Graham's "7 Years"? Possible to include Ariana Grande's "Side to Side (featuring Nicki Minaj)" here? Am I wishing too hard to include Troye Sivan & Alessia Cara's "Wild"? DNCE probably? This category is indeed full of question marks.

Final Predictions:
1. Coldplay, "Hymn for the Weekend (featuring Beyonce)"
2. Sia, "Cheap Thrills (featuring Sean Paul)"
3. Lukas Graham, "7 Years"
4. Ariana Grande, "Side to Side (featuring Nicki Minaj)"
5. Twenty One Pilots, "Ride" or Troye Sivan & Alessia Cara, "Wild"

4. Best Electronic/Dance Album
Best Electronic/Dance Album will be tough to guess this year, because we don't have prolific electronic artists, like, Skrillex or David Guetta. But, thank God we have M83's Junk, unless it goes alternative which seems more likely. James Blake's The Colour In Anything can also see his first nod in this category, but it seems far-fetched. Canadian producer, Kaytranada's debut album, 99.9%, can also be nominated especially since it's the same label with Radiohead. The most handsome Australian DJ, Flume, can also be nominated with his Skin. Avicii's Stories can also be nominated here. Also ZHU's Generationwhy and it seems likely since his "Faded" is nominated few years ago. AlunaGeorge's I Remember also deserves some nod here. Is ANOHNI's Hopelessness also seeing any nod here?

Final Predictions:
1. Kaytranada, 99.9%
2. ZHU, Generationwhy
3. Flume, Skin
4. Avicii, Stories
5. ANOHNI, Hopelessness or James Blake, The Colour In Anything

5. Best Alternative Album
This is my favorite category in Grammy Award because one of this year's best album always appears here. Album of the Year's contender, Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool. If M83's Junk goes alternative, it can appear here. Best Alternative Album's darling, Wilco, just released their surprise album, Schmilco, will get their millionth nomination here. Former nominee, PJ Harvey's A Hope Six Demolition Project can also sneak in to have some revenge. Courtney Barnett's label, Mom + Pop, still has Neon Indian, and since she's nominated for Best New Artist last year, is it possible that his VEGA INTL. Night School nominated here? Another possible lock is indeed Cage The Elephant's Tell Me I'm Pretty. If ANOHNI goes alternative, her Hopelessness may appear here. Or, I'm just beginning to feel hopeless to see any surprising names. Honestly, this category is usually filled with familiar names with just one or two new names. So, I'm not expecting anything much here.

Final Predictions:
1. Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool
2. M83, Junk
3. Wilco,  Schmilco
4. PJ Harvey, A Hope Six Demolition Project
5. Cage The Elephant, Tell Me I'm Pretty 

Grammy 2017 Predictions - Part 1

After my success in predicting the 2016's Grammy nominations last year, it's already that time of the year again to predict some of the nominations for the highest award for music, Grammy Awards. Considering that the last date for Grammy's eligibility (September 30th) is just around the corner, and there won't be any release that's able to steal some of the year's best works, I guess it's safe to assume that we can start predicting, like right now. 

Let's start by predicting the easiest and the only categories that people actually care first: the general field. 

1. Album of the Year

Three albums will be a lock: Adele's 25 from pop, Beyonce's Lemonade from R&B, and Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool from alternative field. The next two albums will be a wild guess and blood bath. We have a lot of great releases for the past year, and it's hard to pick a standout album. From rap category, my mind directly jumps to Drake's VIEWS, the first male album that reigned Billboard 200 for twelve weeks, since God-knows-who. While the critical response isn't as lukewarm as its sales, VIEWS cannot be overlooked. Chance The Rapper's Coloring Book is also one of this year's best albums can also be nominated here as well, especially considering the fact that Chance The Rapper has a high chance to be nominated in Best New Artist as well. 

Still from pop, we know that how much Grammy loves veteran. David Bowie's final album before his passing, Blackstar, is a great album and I'm pretty much sure the committee won't miss a chance to pay some tribute to Bowie by nominating it. Janet Jackson's latest effort, Unbreakable, also sneak in here. On the other hand, it's hard for country field as there's no standout albums this past year and I'm not listening to that much country albums, but I haven't heard a single thing about Sturgill Simpson's A Sailor's Guide To Earth, but praise, so this could be pretty much the shocking nominations. 

Another contender will probably be Rihanna's ANTI, or Sia's This Is Acting (God, NARAS really loves Sia like crazy), or Kanye West's The Life of Pablo, or Frank Ocean's Blonde, but don't get your expectation up too high since NARAS is known by their bold move and Blonde is released independently. Knowing Ocean, he pretty much doesn't even bother. 

Final Predictions:

1. Adele, 25

2. Beyonce, Lemonade

3. Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool

4. David Bowie, Blackstar, or Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor's Guide To Earth 

5. Drake, VIEWS or Kanye West, The Life of Pablo

2. Record of the Year

I can't help but thinking of, "Okay ladies now let's get in formation" when "Formation" is announced as one of the nominees for Record of the Year. This anthem is definitely what committees mean by a good record. With that being said, Adele's "Hello" also begs to say hello for this category as well. It's tough to pick the next contenders. I can see Rihanna's "Work (feat. Drake)", but is it good enough? Or probably Rihanna can send another song, like "Needed Me" that sounds more friendly and less obnoxious? Talking about Drake, we cannot dismiss his song of the summer, "One Dance (feat. Kyla & Wizkid)". I also love Radiohead's "Burn The Witch", one of Radiohead's best produced track ever, but is NARAS willing to take brave move? 

Justin Bieber's not-so-surprising victory last year, also proves that Grammys has begun to warm up to Bieber's work and "Sorry" is this year's best record as well. Also, don't forget how inexplicable Grammy's love to Sia is, so "Cheap Thrills" can also be nominated here. We also notice that Grammy puts something recent for the general field, like, Lady Gaga's "Perfect Illusion" probably, and since it comes from the same cold hand of Mark Ronson, its quality is guaranteed. What about the current leader of Billboard Hot 100, The Chainsmokers' "Closer (feat. Halsey)"? Do they even stand a chance against these giants? 

Final Predictions:

1. Beyonce, "Formation"

2. Adele, "Hello"

3. Sia, "Cheap Thrills" or Lady Gaga, "Perfect Illusion"

4. Radiohead, "Burn The Witch"

5. Justin Bieber, "Sorry"

3. Song of the Year

Pretty much with Record of the Year, there won't be much differences for this category. Still, same old Beyonce and Adele. David Bowie probably can sneak in with his "Blackstar". Also, I can see Lukas Graham's "7 Years" just for the sake of surprising us. If Bieber decides to send "Love Yourself" for Song of the Year, yes he can get a spot in this category. 

And still we're missing any country song, but Florida Georgia Line's "H.O.L.Y" can represent the country field or am I just wild guessing? We can also consider Radiohead's "Burn The Witch" again for this field. To be honest, really, I won't see any difference with Record of the Year. 

Final Predictions:

1. Beyonce, "Formation"

2. Adele, "Hello"

3. David Bowie, "Blackstar" or Radiohead, "Burn The Witch"

4. Justin Bieber, "Love Yourself"

5. Lukas Graham, "7 Years" or Sia, "Cheap Thrills"

4. Best New Artist

The ultimate question is: is Twenty One Pilots eligible? I'm one of the few people who never get the charm of Twenty One Pilots, but it just seems unfair if they're overlooked? Since Grammy committee expands their rule for Best New Artist, it's a probability that Twenty One Pilots is eligible. And also The Chainsmokers, after releasing monstrous hits, like "Closer" and "Don't Let Me Down", the committee is not blind to see their success. I can see former Grammy-nominee Charlie Puth, especially after he released his Nine Track Mind. Shawn Mendes? It's a long shot, but why not? Alessia Cara and Troye Sivan are inseparable duo, but I know NARAS can be a cold-blooded bunch of people, so they will only pick one and that's Alessia Cara. Chance The Rapper is a lock definitely and be the Courtney Barnett of 2017's Grammy Award. We also have Zayn, Halsey, Zara Larsson, Flume, Bryson Tiller. God, who would've guessed that this category will be the most competitive?

Final Predictions:

1. Charlie Puth

2. Alessia Cara

3. The Chainsmokers

4. Chance The Rapper

5. Flume or Twenty One Pilots or, well, Zayn?  

My Grammy Awards Prediction: Final Verdict

The nominations for 58th Grammy Awards just came out at last Monday. As usual, there are some shocking nominations and snubs. Courtney Barnett, for example, who's out of nowhere getting nominated for Best New Artist. Chris Stapleton  takes Sara Bareilles' random slot in Album of the Year nomination. Indonesian jazz-virtuoso Joey Alexander snatches two nominations away. No Drake's "Hotline Bling". Not enough Justin Bieber (I surprisingly defend, but to be fair, his comeback single and album are one of the finest this year). And the most sacrilegious thing that Grammy committee ever committed is no Carly Rae Jepsen whatsoever. Do they have any hidden agenda with Canadian artists? 

As you all may have been aware before, I have made some predictions for several Grammy categories in here and there. So, let's see how good my premonition is. 

1. Album of the Year

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - 1989

2. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

3. Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material

4. The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness 

5. Mark Ronson - Uptown Special or James Taylor - Before This World

Final nominations:

Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color

Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly

Chris Stapleton, Traveller

Taylor Swift, 1989

The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness

Correct Prediction: 3/5

In my defense, I've never heard Chris Stapleton's Traveller before. I thought the country nomination will come from Kacey Musgraves or Little Big Town or Sam Hunt's Montevallo. I'm not surprised with Alabama Shakes' Sound and Color. In fact, I feel so ashamed I didn't include their album on the pool. 

2. Song of the Year

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - "Blank Space" (no question)

2. Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"

3. Kacey Musgraves - "Biscuits" (it's a long shot, but why not)

4. The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"

5. Kendrick Lamar - "Alright" or Paul McCartney, Kanye West, and Rihanna - "FourFiveSeconds" or Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"

Final nominations:

Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"

Little Big Town, "Girl Crush"

Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"

Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

Correct prediction: 3/5

I admit I cheat by adding three songs on my predictions. However, from those three songs, Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" is the only one I'm sure of because the committee will find a way to cram Kendrick Lamar's songs on little space. Surprised to see "See You Again" as it is too Billboard-y for Grammy Awards. Not too surprised to see "Girl Crush" because it's battle between Little Big Town, Sam Hunt, and Kacey Musgraves from country genre. 

3. Record of the Year

My predictions:

1. Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"

2. Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna - "FourFiveSeconds"

3. Taylor Swift - "Style"

4. The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"

5. Jack U - "Where R U Now (feat. Justin Bieber)" or Carly Rae Jepsen - "Run Away With Me" (my wildest dream)

Final nominations:

D'Angelo and the Vanguard, "Really Love"

Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"

Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"

The Weeknd, "Can't Feel my Face"

Correct prediction: 2/5

This one is such a messy category. While I think "Style" is definitely has better production value than "Blank Space", Swift's team doesn't send it for Grammy. D'Angelo's acclaimed comeback album should've been nominated for Album of the Year, but they appear in Record of the Year. Not happy with Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud". Is it a good song? Yes. A good record? Nada. "Thinking Out Loud" is really forgettable. 

4. Best New Artist

My predictions:

1. Meghan Trainor
2. Sam Hunt
3. The Weeknd 
4. Years & Years or Fetty Wap
5. Walk The Moon (a really long shoooot) or Charlie Puth (possible, but I don't think so), or FKA twigs.

Final nominations:

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

Correct prediction: 2/5

Bye, FKA twigs. Apparently Grammy has found more edgier best new artist than you. Not in a million years, I dare to dream to see Australian singer, Courtney Barnett, to be nominated in Grammy Awards, let alone in Big Four category. But, yeah, I'm startled to see her name on the category with the other predictable nominees. 

5. Best Pop Vocal Album

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - 1989
2. Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece
3. Carly Rae Jepsen - Emotion
4. Mark Ronson - Uptown Special or The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness
5. Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Final nominations:

Kelly Clarkson, Piece by Piece

Florence + The Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Mark Ronson, Uptown Special

Taylor Swift, 1989

James Taylor, Before This World

Correct prediction: 4/5

I know I am awesome. If only it weren't for James Taylor, I will perfectly predict this category. But seriously though, who really considers Taylor's Before This World a pop album? This makes Emotion's omission feels more tragic. 

6. Best Pop Solo Performance

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - "Blank Space" or Taylor Swift - "Style" or Taylor Swift - "Wildest Dreams" or the committees go berserk and nominate all three Taylor Swift's songs.
2. Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"
3. The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"
4. Justin Bieber - "What Do You Mean"
5. Rachel Platten - "Fight Song" or Carly Rae Jepsen - "Run Away With Me"

Final nominations:

Kelly Clarkson - "Heartbeat Song"

Ellie Goulding - "Love Me Like You Do"

Taylor Swift - "Blank Space" 

Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"
The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"

Correct prediction: 3/5

There goes my wish to see Jepsen's "Run Away With Me" gets some recognition it deserves. Happy to see "Love Me Like You Do", though it makes me curious if the committee actually enjoys watching Fifty Shades of Grey. The other three nominations are so predictable that it doesn't make me happy.

7. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - "Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar)"
2. Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"
3. Wiz Khalifa - "See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth)"
4. Maroon 5 - "Sugar"
5. Paul McCartney, Kanye West, and Rihanna - "FourFiveSeconds"

Final nominations:

Florence + The Machine, " Ship to Wreck"

Maroon 5, "Sugar"

Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"

Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Bad Blood"

Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"

Correct prediction: 4/5

"FourFiveSeconds" is so Grammy-bait and the committee decides to omit it and switch it with "Ship To Wreck". I mean this is the same committee that awards millions of Grammy to The Beatles. Why not give another one to its last standing man? 

8. Best Dance/Electronic Album

My predictions:

1. David Guetta - Listen
2. Madeon - Adventure
3. Jack U - Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack U
4. Major Lazer - Peace Is The Mission
5. The Chemical Brothers - Born In The Echoes

Final nominations:

Caribou, Our Love

The Chemical Brothers, Born in the Echoes

Disclosure, Caracal

Jamie XX, In Colour

Skrillex and Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü

Correct prediction: 2/5

This is the only category where I'm feeling happy with all the nominations as it combines critical darling and popular musician. Caribou's Our Love and Jamie XX's In Colour are critical darling, and the other nominations are popular artists whose rating is not that bad either. 

9. Best Alternative Album

My predictions:

Blur - The Magic Whip

Bjork - Vulnicura

Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi

Wilco - Star Wars

Tame Impala - Currents

Final nominations:

Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color

Björk, Vulnicura

My Morning Jacket, The Waterfall

Tame Impala, Currents

Wilco, Star Wars

Correct prediction: 3/5

Not surprising at all, though I hope to see Courtney Barnett's latest album here. 

Final Verdict: Not bad at predicting. Yay!