CLEVELAND, Ohio – There are years where predicting the Grammys takes lengthy analysis come up with answers that probably aren’t right. This isn’t one of those years.
Adele was made for the Grammys, as she proved back in 2012 when she took home five awards (and the three major categories). Things could go the same way during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, as she’s up for Record, Song and Album of the Year.
But Beyonce, Drake, Justin Bieber and others might have something to say about that. Here are our predictions for the big awards.
Record of the Year
- Adele – “Hello”
- Beyonce – “Formation”
- Lukas Graham – “7 Years”
- Rihanna feat. Drake – “Work”
- Twenty One Pilots – “Stressed Out”
Should win: “Work.” Record of the Year should be a song that really captivated radio. “Work” is the closest thing to that. Though, “7 Years” comes close.
Will win: Adele. She swept the big three categories in 2012 and she could do so this year, simply because she appeals to the Grammys’ voter base. And “Hello” is a powerhouse song.
Album of the Year
- Adele – “25”
- Beyonce – “Lemonade”
- Justin Bieber – “Purpose”
- Drake – “Views”
- Sturgill Simpson – “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth”
Should win: Bieber. Just kidding! But, “Purpose” is a heck of an album. Still, Beyonce’s “Lemonade” is really an album of the times we live in and should be honored.
Will win: Adele and Beyonce are locked in a VERY close race. Conventional wisdom actually points to Adele (Voters love their Britpop). Still, I think “Lemonade” is powerful enough to break barriers and earn Album of the Year. It also splits the top prizes among the two biggest stars. It’s a win for everyone.
Song of the Year
- Beyonce – “Formation”
- Adele – “Hello”
- Mike Posner – “I Took a Pill in Ibiza”
- Justin Bieber – “Love Yourself”
- Lukas Graham – “7 Years”
Should win: I’m tempted to say “7 Years.” But I lean towards the song people will remember 10 years from now and that’s probably “Hello.”
Will win: If Adele is vulnerable anywhere, it’s here. But not to who you think. “Love Yourself,” which is co-written by Ed Sheeran, is the real sleeper. Still, it’s “Hello” FTW.
Best New Artist
- Kelsea Ballerini
- The Chainsmokers
- Chance the Rapper
- Maren Morris
- Anderson Paak
Should win: Chance the Rapper was the top artist of his genre in 2016. Give it to him.
Will win: Is there room for an upset here? Maybe with a push for The Chainsmokers’ hitmaking prowess. But it’s still a likely win for Chance the Rapper.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
- The Chainsmokers – “Closer”
- Lukas Graham – “7 Years”
- Rihanna feat. Drake – “Work”
- Sia feat. Sean Paul – “Cheap Thrills”
- Twenty One Pilots – “Stressed Out”
Should win: What a strong category. Chainsmokers’ catchy as heck anthem “Closer” is still stuck in your head.
Will win: Rihanna and Drake have the star power to overcome Lukas Graham and Twenty One Pilots’ solid work.
Best Rock Song
- David Bowie – “Blackstar”
- Radiohead – “Burn the Witch”
- Metallica – “Hardwired”
- Twenty One Pilots – “Heathens”
- Highly Suspect – “My Name Is Human”
Should win: Bowie has never been a Grammy favorite. Sadly, that won’t change.
Will win: “Heathens.” Twenty One Pilots’ Record of the Year nomination shows Grammy voters respect the Columbus duo.
Best Alternative Music Album
- Bon Iver – “22, A Million “
- David Bowie – “Blackstar”
- PJ Harvey – “The Hope Six Demolition Project”
- Iggy Pop – “Post Pop Depression”
- Radiohead – “A Moon Shaped Pool”
Should win: “A Moon Shaped Pool.” Radiohead deserved more respect from voters in the Album of the Year category.
Will win: Bon Iver. He’s a Grammy favorite with an album that was very unique and endearing.
Best R&B Song
- PARTYNEXTDOOR feat. Drake – “Come and See Me”
- Bryson Tiller – “Exchange”
- Rihanna – “Kiss It Better”
- Maxwell – “Lake by the Ocean”
- Tory Lanez – “Luv”
Should win: “Come and See Me.” The OVO Sound anthem is addictive and makes a star out of PARTYNEXTDOOR.
Will win: “Lake by the Ocean.” Voters often prefer veteran acts and Maxwell’s song is very beautiful.
Best Rap Song
- Fat Joe – “All the Way Up”
- Kanye West – “Famous”
- Drake – “Hotline Bling”
- Chance the Rapper – “No Problem”
- Kanye West – “Ultralight Beam”
Should win: “Ultralight Beam” might be the best opening track Kanye West has ever put on an album.
Will win: Kanye might hate the Grammys (or at least act like he does). But this is probably his for the win with his biggest competition being himself.
Best Rap Album
- Chance the Rapper – “Coloring Book”
- De La Soul – “and the Anonymous Nobody…”
- DJ Khaled – “Major Key”
- Drake – “Views”
- Schoolboy Q – “Blank Face LP”
- Kanye West – “The Life of Pablo”
Should win: It’s always hard to argue against Kanye West winning this. I’ll take “TLOP” slightly over “Coloring Book” and “Blank Face.”
Will win: Drake’s “Views” might be nominated for Album of the Year. But I think Chance the Rapper steals this one. The Grammys are just weird like that.
Best Country Album
- Brandy Clark – “Big Day in a Small Town”
- Loretta Lynn – “Full Circle”
- Maren Morris – “Hero”
- Sturgill Simpson – “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth”
- Keith Urban – “Ripcord”
Should win: “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” is clearly the best album. But I suppose if mainstream country is more your cup of tea, then Urban’s “Ripcord” or Maren Morris’ “Hero” stands out.
Will win: “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.”
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