61st Grammy Awards Predictions

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will be held Sunday, Feb. 10, hosted by Alicia Keys. Madison and Bernard’s insights are preceded by their respective initials. Be sure to tune into the Grammys on Sunday to find out who wins.

Record of the Year

I Like It by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, & J Balvin

The Joke by Brandi Charlie

This is America by Childish Gambino

God’s Plan by Drake

Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Rock Star by Post Malone feat. 21 Savage

The Middle by Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey

MW: I would choose “I Like It” because that song best reflects 2018 to me. Cardi B’s career has exploded in the last year and a half, and people adore her. The Latin influence in the song makes it even more enjoyable, and the duality of the lyrics in English and Spanish best represents American culture. Also, It’s just fun to listen to. Personally, I’ve gotten tired of Drake and Post Malone as they have been overplayed and, really, weren’t very good rappers to start with. I have to admit that I loved “God’s Plan,” especially when the music video came out of Drake giving out cash around Miami (an area with a poverty rate nearly double the national average) to families, students and even the fire department. However, Drake has been scrutinized recently for his treatment of underage girls, and given that last year many stars wore white roses to the Grammys in solidarity for the #TimesUp movement, it would not be appropriate to see him awarded at the ceremony.

BR: I have to go with Madison on “I Like It” because this became the song of 2018. 2018 was the year of Cardi B when she became popular with her music and just how she is as a person. I thought it was interesting how the song had Bad Bunny in it because his career has exploded as well in 2018. Just like “Despacito,” this song had a mix of Spanish and English but with some rap with it. Although I believe “I Like It” will be the winner for this category I do know “This Is America” was popular in 2018 as well. “This Is America” brought up a lot of issues that are going on in the real world and he even shows it in an entertaining music video that opens your eyes. Between these two songs, I believe “I Like It” will end up being the winner.

Album of the Year

Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B

By the Way, I Forgive You by Brandi Carlile

Scorpion by Drake

H.E.R by H.E.R

Beerbongs & Bentleys by Post Malone

Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves

BLACK PANTHER: THE ALBUM, MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY (Various Artists)

MW: “Invasion of Privacy” by Cardi B should win. 2018 was a great year for Cardi B. The album contains hits such as “Be Careful,” “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It” and “Ring.” The album also has a lot of good features from Kehlani, 21 Savage, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Migos, SZA, YG and Chance the Rapper. I sincerely hope that neither Drake nor Post Malone takes it home, but any of the other nominated albums are deserving.

BR: I would like to believe that “Invasion of Privacy” is going to win this but I have a feeling that “Scorpion” and “H.E.R.” have a good chance of winning as well. “Invasion of Privacy” is filled with songs that you just know Cardi B created for everyone to get up dance and have some fun. The songs are catchy, easy to sing along to and bop your head. “Scorpion” by Drake became popular as well especially how he used his song “God’s Plan.” In the music video for  “God’s Plan,” it showed how Drake was helping many people and families in Miami that were in need. This caught the media’s attention. After this music video was released, he created more popular music videos, and this just gave more attention to his album. H.E.R. which is an acronym for Having Everything Revealed has become popular with creating an album where she is a voice for women.

Song of the Year

All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar and SZA

Boo’d Up by Ella Mai

Gods Plan by Drake

In My Blood by Shawn Mendes

The Joke by Brandi Carlile

The Middle by Zedd, Marren Morris, and Grey

Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

This Is America by Childish Gambino

MW: “Boo’d Up” would be my pick for song of the year. It is also nominated for Best R&B song. Ella Mai is a 24-year-old English singer, and this song is her breakthrough hit to the mainstream. It is still played on local Hip Hop stations on a daily basis since its release in October. The single is described by Spotify as a “sparkling slow jam.” I would compare it to the song “Ring” by Cardi B featuring Kehlani because of their similar feminine vibes.

BR: The song of the year is tough to predict because all of these songs were well liked and were popular all over the U.S. I do believe there’s a toss-up between “Shallow” and “This Is America.” “Shallow” is performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the film “A Star Is Born.” When the first trailer for the film was released, they played “Shallow” where viewers would get chills listening to Gaga’s voice. Once the movie came out the whole album for the film became popular, and “Shallow” started getting even more popular. It is heard on the radio now and has been nominated and won other awards. When “This Is America” was released it caused so much attention everywhere. Childish Gambino had a meaning to the song explaining what is going around the world right now and goes into detail how the media changes and hides what they show us. This cause a huge impact especially with what was going around the world. My prediction would be “This Is America” will win because of how relevant the song was and how it opened many eyes.

Best New Artist

Chloe X Halle

Luke Combs

Greta Van Fleet

H.E.R.

Dua Lip

Margo Price

BEBE REXHA

Jorja Smith

MW: BEBE REXHA has proved herself as the Best New Artist to come out of 2018. She’s very positive, funny and outspoken as a person, and she is a great performer as well. Her style is unique from other artists in mainstream music right now. She is a powerhouse singer and completely versatile. BEBE REXHA has worked with Country artist Florida Georgia Line, Rap artists Nicki Minaj, G-Eazy and Lil Wayne, Pop artist Louis Tomlinson and Reggaeton artist J Balvin. I would describe her music as primarily in the Dance genre, but it’s very fun and free-spirited. I think BEBE REXHA has a great chance of standing out in the music game as she has already had much success. Her signature look is platinum blonde hair held back by many bobby pins, and she often wears smokey eye makeup.

BR: Dua Lipa, H.E.R, and BEBE REXHA all three of these strong and powerful women deserve this reward, but sadly only one will win. Dua Lipa has become popular with creating many bops that makes you want to sing along to make you feel strong and independent. H.E.R. has been a voice of women and has been so empowering. When releasing her album “H.E.R.” she wanted it to be popular and loved for the message she tried putting out in the world that women are strong and not alone. It shouldn’t matter who she is but what matters is the message. BEBE REXHA got popular in 2018 when she released her own album after writing songs for other singers. BEBE REXHA has never been afraid of voicing her opinion about self-love and body positivity. She believes it shouldn’t matter how you look on the outside. It’s about how you are in the inside. There’s been an issue that designers won’t work with her because of her size. I predict BEBE REXHA will be the winner.

Best Pop Dual/Group Performance

Fall in Line by Christina Aguilera feat. Demi Lovato

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by The Backstreet Boys

Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Girls Like You by Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B

Say Something by Justin Timberlake feat. Chris Stapleton

The Middle by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey 

MW: The Backstreet Boys deserve this award the most- hands down. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” is a very successful pop song that sounds great! Other attempts by BSB to produce Pop music for the mainstream in recent years have sort of fallen flat, so it would be nice for them to get this win to prove that they still know exactly what they’re doing. Just from hearing the song on the radio, you might even confuse them for today’s biggest pop artists. Additionally, “Girls Like You” comes close but Maroon 5 and Cardi B aren’t a good fit on the same single. It’s a little awkward. “Fall in Line” just did not sound unique.

BR: “Shallow” with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper will win in this category. As I said before, the song has been all over the world, and even though it has been a few months since the movie came out, it’s still popular. It has been announced that they will be performing the song for the Oscars, and they just performed in Las Vegas making the song popular again. I agree with Madison about “Girls Like You” because it became popular as well. Maroon 5 and Cardi B were an unlikely combination, but it was not enough to be award winning.

Best Pop Vocal Album 

Camila by Camila Cabello

Meaning of Life by Kelly Clarkson

Sweetener by Ariana Grande 

Shawn Mendes by Shawn Mendes

Beautiful Trauma by P!nk

Reputation by Taylor Swift

MW: “Camila,” “Shawn Mendes” or “Sweetener” should win. All of those albums are really fun with catchy singles that make you want to dance. If I had to pick one, I’d probably go with “Shawn Mendes.” His music is perfect for dancing or exercising. “Camila” is good for a laidback party, and “Sweetener” is good for doing homework or laundry, especially if you’re in your feelings. As for “Reputation,” I hope Taylor Swift’s day is done because she never really excited me. Neither does P!nk or Kelly Clarkson’s new music.

BR: This is a hard one for me to predict because all of these albums are amazing. If I have to narrow it down between two, it will be “Sweetener” by Ariana Grande and “Reputation” by Taylor Swift. As a Taylor Swift fan, I am playing favoritism, but this album has done well. There was a drama between Kanye and Taylor where she most likely wrote a song about this feud. She collaborated with Ed Sheeran, once again, in the song “End Game.” After a lot of publicity, she stayed behind scenes until the media forgot about her. She came back strong with the “Reputation” album changing her style of music once again and broke records. “Sweetener” by Ariana Grande came out last year the year she has been through a lot. Between Mac Miller dying and her ex Pete Davidson, this album was her voice with everything that has been going on. She showed her fans both her weak times and her strong side trying to survive. She already has another album “Thank u, Next” coming out Feb. 8 that will make a huge impact again. The winner might be “Sweetener.”

Best Rap Performance

Be Careful by Cardi B

Nice for What by Drake

King’s Dead by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake

Bubblin’ by Anderson Paak

Sicko Mode by Travis Scott, Drake, Big Hawk, & Swae Lee

MW: “Be Careful” should win. Cardi B is a great performer from all of her sparkly, colorful outfits and accessories to her hilarious, upbeat presence. Crowds go crazy for her because she seems so relatable and authentic.

BR: This is a toss-up between “Be Careful” by Cardi B and “Nice for What” by Drake. Cardi B always makes her performances fun and entertaining so the crowd can get engaged. Not only are her performances fun, but her song “Be Careful” is about her past relationship where the people she was with were unfaithful and making her miserable. Cardi B tried making it clear that past relationships shouldn’t mean anything to you and just live the life you deserve. “Nice for What” performed by Drake is one of the few singles he released for his album, “Scorpion.” What makes this song so popular is catchy fat moving beat and the music video. In the music video, he has so many famous, strong women looking fierce. Between these two, I believe “Be Careful” will be the winner for this award.

Best Rap/Sung Performance

Like I Doby by Christina Aguilera feat. Goldlink

Pretty Little Fears by 6lack feat. J. Cole

This is America by Childish Gambino

All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Rockstar by Post Malone feat. 21 Savage

MW: “This Is America” should win because Childish Gambino gives it a heartfelt performance.

BR: I predict the winner for Best Rap/Sung Performance will be “Rockstar” by Post Malone feat. 21 Savage. The year of 2018 was the year for Post Malone where his music was heard everywhere. He became known by everyone in the summer. His music is catchy and some type of story about romance. “This Is America” has a chance of being a winner since it has multiple nominations for many other award shows. I believe the song is good especially with the message behind it, but I believe it needs to give others the chance. The winner will be “Rockstar.”

Best Rap Album

Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B

Swimming by Mac Miller

Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle

Daytona by Pusha T

Astroworld by Travis Scott

MW: I’d like to see Pusha T win because it’d be nice to see someone who doesn’t get as much attention receive the award. Because Mac Miller passed away last year, I am certain they will pay tribute in some way at the ceremony.

BR: Unfortunately, when it comes to rap music, I am a little clueless because it’s not the type of genre I listen to. For this category, I turned to friends and my brother on their opinions for who will win and why. Many said “Invasion of Privacy” was good but will most likely win because of the popularity of Cardi B. My brother did believe that Daytona might have a chance of winning. Pusha T has a seven song album that’s only 30 minutes and tells the story of the transition of being a drug dealer to being a famous rapper. He used many metaphors and lines referring to and  explain his life situations. The clear winner will be Cardi B.

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

Call Me By Your Name

Deadpool 2

The Greatest Showman

Lady Bird 

Stranger Things

MW: “The Greatest Showman” will probably win. The songs are well-produced, and it was a very popular film. I can’t even remember any of the songs in the other nominated films.

BR: The clear winner for this category is the soundtrack for “The Greatest Showman.” The movie gained popularity before it came out when the song “This Is Me” came out and caught people’s attention. Right after that “Rewrite the Stars” became just as popular as well. When you watch the movie and listen to these songs it brought you into the movie. When you compare this soundtrack to the other nominees, it outshines them.