It’s music’s biggest night! The Grammy Awards are coming up on February 15th. Here are our 2016 Grammy Predictions for the general field categories!
Album of the Year
Nominees:
“1989” – Taylor Swift
“Beauty Behind the Madness” – The Weeknd
“Sound & Color” – Alabama Shakes
“To Pimp A Butterfly” – Kendrick Lamar
“Traveller” – Chris Stapleton
Will Win: “1989” – Taylor Swift
Could Win: “Sound &
Should Win: “To Pimp A Butterfly” – Kendrick Lamar
Should’ve Been Nominated: “Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit” – Courtney Barnett
With a huge 11 nominations, Kendrick is obviously a widely beloved artist and “To Pimp A Butterfly” isn’t just essential listening this year, it’s an album that many have called the best of the year. However, you have to go back to 2004 for the last time a hip-hop album won Album of the Year and NO rap album has ever won the prize. Because of this, Taylor Swift should win her second AOTY for “1989” quite easily. It is the most accessible album and has strong genre support. However, watch out for a surprise from Alabama Shakes with “Sound & Color” or “Traveller” by Chris Stapelton.
Record of the Year
Nominees:
“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd
“Really Love” – D’Angelo and the Vanguard
“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
Will Win: “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Could Win: “Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd
Should Win: “Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
Should’ve Been Nominated: “Loud Places” – Jamie xx feat. Romy
It’s important to note the distinction between Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The former honors the production of songs — the actual recording. This includes the mixing, the performance by the vocalists, and the actual recording of the track. That being said, the most production heavy song of the nominees is “Uptown Funk.” It should win pretty easily here. However, watch out for hit song “Can’t Feel My Face” to upset. “Blank
Space” is a song that was made in post-production. Without it, it would have been a subpar pop song. However, the most dynamic and layered song of the year had to have come from Jamie xx’s In Colour with “Loud Places.”
Song of the Year
Nominees:
“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar
“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
“See You Again” – Charlie Puth feat. Wiz Kalifa
“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
Will Win: “Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
Could Win: “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
Should Win: “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
Should’ve Been Nominated: “I Love You, Honeybear” – Father John Misty
Usually the most “songwriter” friendly song wins in this category. That’s why we’ve seen winners like “Royals” and “Need You Now” in the past while the Record winner was different. That’s why it’s going to be a tight race between “Blank Space” and “Thinking Out Loud.” I think Taylor Swift, who has been nominated twice in the past in this category, should take it, especially if she loses her other two general field nominations. However, don’t be surprised if “Thinking Out Loud” takes it.
Best New Artist
Nominees:
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Meghan Trainor
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Will Win: Meghan Trainor
Could Win: James Bay
Should Win: Courtney Barnett
Should’ve Been Nominated: Hozier
First off, had Hozier been nominated, he would win this category easily. However, as usual, the Grammys messed up. The last few years, the winner is the artist with the most Grammy nominations in the past and this year. Meghan Trainor should win because of her two nominations last year. However, James Bay racked up several rock nominations, so he is a close spoiler. Courtney Barnett created a sound so unique that no one else but her deserves the award.
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.