By Gio Battaglia / Program Director
On Sunday, April 3, the Recording Academy will hold the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, on CBS. Presenters include Dua Lipa, Avril Lavigne, Bonnie Raitt, Megan Thee Stallion, to name a few. There will be also be performances from Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., as well as other artists who are nominated for awards. But the questions remains, who will bring home the gold? We casted our predictions for some of the most anticipated categories of the night.
The Big Four Predictions:
Record of the Year
"I Still Have Faith in You" – ABBA
"Freedom" – Jon Batiste
"I Get a Kick Out of You" – Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
"Peaches" – Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon
"Right on Time" – Brandi Carlile
"Kiss Me More" – Doja Cat featuring SZA
"Happier Than Ever" – Billie Eilish
"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" – Lil Nas X
"Drivers License" – Olivia Rodrigo
"Leave the Door Open" – Silk Sonic
Who Will Win: "Drivers License"
Who Should Win: "Happier Than Ever"
There is no arguing that Rodrigo had a year like no other artist. The song, "Drivers License," launched to the top of the charts immediately upon release, and lasted at the top spot for multiple weeks. The longevity of this song is undeniable, and it is a solid choice with the way it encompasses the sound of the car starting up and incorporates that into the accompaniment of the song, and the bridge of the song is so punching and the production compliments the emotion of the song perfectly.
However, Eilish and FINNEAS created something truly magical with "Happier Than Ever." The genre shift in this song is something that is not always successfully accomplished and it truly takes you on the journey of a relationship that did not work out, and the explosion that is created on the second half of the song is electrifying. I think this is the solid choice for Record of the Year due to the longevity the song has created and the way it always sounds like the first time upon listen.
Album of the Year
We Are – Jon Batiste
Love for Sale - Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) – Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe) – Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
Back of My Mind - H.E.R.
Montero – Lil Nas X
Sour – Olivia Rodrigo
Evermore – Taylor Swift
Donda – Kanye West
Who Will Win: SOUR or Love For Sale
Who Should Win: evermore, Planet Her, Love For Sale, SOUR
The female power talent that is represented in this category is absolutely exceptional. Swift delivered an emotional masterpiece with evermore, the follow up to her win last year for Album of the Year with folklore. It is highly unlikely the Academy will recognize her efforts again, but not completely out of the question. Doja Cat has had an incredible run for her album, Planet Her, promoting its fifth single onto airwaves this past week, she is continuing to dominate with hit after hit, the way that albums used to carry out an era. In addition to its promotion, this album is truly catchy, but I do think albums on this list have gotten more buzz than Doja Cat. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga completely modernized the genre of jazz with Love For Sale as they took the work of Cole Porter and brought it to a younger audience. The intimate moments we have seen during this album with Bennett's struggle with Alzheimer's disease is truly remarkable to the power of music and the talent of both of them, and does not distract from the beautiful, easy-listening vocal experience that belongs to the album. I think the Academy could recognize this and more by giving Bennett & Gaga the accolade. As for SOUR, the likely to take home the award, completely took the world by storm upon its release as Rodrigo broke the Disney Channel mold and latched onto a new audience and still carries that audience retention that is so important for an album in addition to its lyricism and production.
Song of the Year
"Bad Habits"
"A Beautiful Noise"
"Drivers License"
"Fight for You"
"Happier Than Ever"
"Kiss Me More"
"Leave the Door Open"
"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"
"Peaches"
"Right on Time"
Who Will Win: "Drivers License" Who Should Win: "Drivers License"
Like I previously mentioned, Rodrigo absolutely smashed onto the scene with her debut single, "Drivers License." The story she takes us on in this song is cohesive, solid and easy-to-follow. The way she intertwines the encouragement of her love to get the license, and now they can't share that experience but incorporates the iconic line "I drive alone past your street..." is awesome songwriting. Awesome enough that it could award the song.
Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
Who Will Win: Olivia Rodrigo
Who Should Win: Olivia Rodrigo
Other Competitive Categories:
Best Pop Solo Performance
"Anyone" – Justin Bieber
"Right on Time" – Brandi Carlile
"Happier Than Ever" – Billie Eilish
"Positions" – Ariana Grande
"Drivers License" – Olivia Rodrigo
Who Will Win: "Happier Than Ever"
Who Should Win: "Happier Than Ever"
Best Pop Vocal Album
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) – Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe) – Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish
Positions – Ariana Grande
Sour – Olivia Rodrigo
Who Will Win: Sour or Happier Than Ever
Who Should Win: Sour, Happier Than Ever or Positions