Pop Crave’s 2021 Grammy Awards Predictions
Artwork: @FAMEKILLED (Twitter)
The first thing you need to know about the Grammy Awards is that they’re not necessarily about quality, cultural impact, or personal taste – it’s about entertainment (and audience). Rather, organizers are trying to figure out who will actually show up at the event and perform, what demographics they will attract, and how the list of nominees can be watered down into a narrative aimed at the general public. Put simply, a seating plan can have more influence on who is invited than on the actual quality of a project.
It becomes easier to predict nominees when you think of it as a ranking game rather than a game based on the taste of music. Our gut tells us that the 63rd Annual Grammys will show a lot of love for newcomers like Megan Thee stallion, Doja cat, Roddy Ricch, DaBaby & perhaps BTS while honoring past nominees as The weekend, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift in major categories. It’s a nominee crop that promises ratings AND reflects culture, but as always, the Grammys will be throwing in a few surprise nominees to reflect their narrow definition of quality music.
There’s a lot at stake with the first show of the COVID Grammy Awards, which makes us think the committee will be more generous with nominations to ensure a strong audience. This could translate to a very Stan Twitter friendly show that both pop and Kpop fans like with their fingers crossed! Continue below for our nominations in the night’s 4 major categories: Album, Record & Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The album of the year is a confrontation between The weekend (‘After hours’), Taylor Swift (‘folklore’), two artists who have dominated the conversation this year. Expect Post Malone‘s’ Hollywood’s Bleeding’ for being a serious contender, while newcomers Megan Thee stallion (‘Suga’) and Doja cat (“Hot Pink”) is probably also on a voters list. As for ‘Chromatica’, we think Lady Gaga has all the odds on its side with its strong campaign, incredible VMA performances and innovative music videos – all in the face of a global pandemic.
The weekend in the video clip “In Your Eyes”
It is possible that both Dua Lipa (‘Future Nostalgia’) & Harry Styles (‘Fine Line’) will be ignored in this category but honored elsewhere. Despite releasing chart hits this year with “Don’t Start Now” and “Watermelon Sugar”, commercial success is never a sure sign that you’ll be nominated for “Album of the Year”. It looks like a draw at this point, but considering Lipa is a former Grammy winner, we give her the edge fashions (but not by much).
With 8 potential nominees this year, the Grammys will surely be looking to include one or two nominees under the radar, like former AOTY nominees like Beck’s “Morning Phase” (2014) or Vampire weekend‘s (‘ Father of the bride ‘). The Grammys like to pick underdogs who are respected by their industry peers, so it could go in many directions. The clear choice at the moment is “ Collect Bolt Cutters ” by Apple Fiona thanks to universal critical praise. Other possible choices include ‘MAGDALENE’ by FKA twigs, ‘Jaime’ by Brittany Howard, ‘3.15.20’ by Childish Gambino, ‘Gaslighter’ by Chicks, ‘L’Ascension’ by Sufjan stevens, ‘Circles’ by Mac Miller, and ‘Music To Be Murdered By’ by Eminem.
Taylor Swift in “Cardigan” Music Video
More suitors: ‘Manic’ by Halsey; ‘Rare’ by Selena Gomez; “ Please excuse me for being antisocial ” by Roddy Ricch; ‘SAWAYAMA’ by Rina sawayama; ‘Eternal Atake’ by Lil uzi vert; ‘Soul Map: 7’ per BTS; Legends Never Die by WRLD juice; ‘Show Pony’ by Orville Peck; Unholy Hour by Chloe X Halle; ‘YHLQMDLG’ by Bad bunny; ‘Modifications’ by Justin bieber; The New Abnormal by Shots; ‘RTJ4’ by Run the jewelry; ‘The Slow Rush’ by Taming the Impala; ‘Women in Music Pt. III’ by HAIM; ‘Shoot for the stars, aim for the moon’ by Pop smoke‘; What you see is what you get by Luke combs; ‘Shore’ by Fleet foxes; ‘Miss Anthropocene’ by Grimes; ‘The Highwomen’ by The Highwomen; ‘Over It’ by Summer walker.
“Record of the Year” is meant to represent quality and overall impact on culture, but that is not always the case if the committee is trying to create a media narrative for the general public. The clear lock appears to be “Blinding Lights” by The weekend, which currently ranks fourth on Hot 100 despite being released a year ago. If the Grammy committee is smart, it will recognize TikTok’s influence with nominations for “Savage” by Megan Thee stallion feat. Beyonce & “Say it” by Doja cat. “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Don’t start now” by Dua Lipa, “I adore you” by Harry Styles, “Circles” by Post Malone & “Cardigan” by Taylor Swift.
Dua Lipa in “Don’t Start Now” Music Video
The Grammys may bring back Billie Eilish with a nomination for “Anything I Wanted”, or give K-Pop a major moment by honoring “Dynamite” by BTS. Hip-hop continues to dominate with younger audiences, so expect some love for streaming smashes like “The Box” by Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar” by DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch, “The Bigger Picture” by Lil baby or “WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee stallion.
Looking outside the hit songs this year, the Grammys will likely throw another curveball in this category in honor of an industry veteran and / or a fresh face. Possible contenders for a surprise nomination include “Gaslighter” from Chicks, “Recover the bolt cutters” or “Shameika” by Apple Fiona, “Stay high” by Brittany Howard, “America” by Sufjan stevens, “The Bones” by Maren Morris, “Even if I leave” by Luke combsand “Before leaving” by Lewis capaldi.
Other suitors: “Good News” by Mac Miller; “I adore you” by Harry Styles; “Mood” by 24k gold feat. Iann Dior; “Toosie Slide” by Duck; “Stuck with U” by Justin bieber & Ariana Grande; “WHATS POPPIN” by Jack harlow; “Come & Go” by WRLD juice with Marshmello; “RITMO” by Black Eyed Peas & J. Balvin; “Life is beautiful” by Duck & Future; “Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez; “Black Parade” by Beyonce; “Roxanne” by Arizona Zervas; “No time to die” by Billie Eilish; “XS” by Rina sawayama; “Do it” by Chloe X Halle; “The SCOTTS” by Travis Scott & Kid cudi.
Unlike Record of the Year, which honors the production behind a song, Song of the Year represents the writing talents behind some of the year’s greatest songs. The weekend’s “Blinding Lights” (co-written by Max Martin) seems to be an almost infallible lock, while Taylor Swift“Cardigan” of and Billie Eilish“Anything I Wanted” are also serious contenders. Other tracks on the Grammy’s radar probably include “Savage” by Megan Thee stallion feat. Beyonce, “Say it” by Doja cat, “I adore you” by Harry Styles & “Circles” of Post Malone.
Billie Eilish in “Everything I Wanted” Music Video
The Grammys love to honor veteran songwriters in this category. Apple Fiona (“Recover the bolt cutters”) & Chicks (“Gaslighter” or “Sleep At Night”) are good choices as they represent the country and alternative genres, while Lady Gaga (“Stupid Love”, “Rain On Me” or “911”) also has a chance to sneak in. We would like to see Selena Gomez be recognized for his song # 1, “Lose You To Love Me”, co-written with Justin tranter & Julia michaels, but it feels like the odds are stacked against it.
One of the most deserving of this category is Lil baby for “The Bigger Picture,” a massive streaming song with an honest and nuanced perspective on race relations in the United States. We are also looking for DaBabythe BLM “Rockstar” remix and Roddy RicchThe # 1 hit of “The Box”, two songs that helped define the year in hip hop.
Other suitors: “Don’t start now” with Dua Lipa; “Stuck with U” by Justin bieber & Ariana Grande; “Dynamite” by BTS; “The Bones” by Maren Morris; “Before leaving” by Lewis capaldi; “If the world ended” by JP Saxony & Julia michaels; “Stay high” by Brittany Howard; “I hope” by Gabby Barrett; “I adore you” by Harry Styles: “Righteous” by WRLD juice; “Time” by Childish Gambino feat. Ariana Grande; “Sacred ground” by FKA twigs feat. Future; “WHATS POPPIN” by Jack harlow.
The BNA category trips people up every year because the Grammy rules are never consistent. What constitutes a “new” artist? Why is an artist nominated when he has never released a real album? Does the category reflect business success? All of these questions and more generate debate every year, and 2021 is unlikely to be any different.
Due to the pandemic, we believe the committee is prepared to break their traditional “rules” if it means they can put on a better show. Expect love for Megan Thee stallion & Doja cat, two artists who can deliver live performances worthy of a Grammy. If the committee is smart, it would also show love for Kpop’s acts like BTS & BLACKPINK. Other serious candidates include Phoebe bridgers, Clairo, Jack harlow, Summer walker, Orville Peck, King princess, Gabby Barrett & perhaps even FINISHED.
There’s an incredible amount of new talent in hip hop this year, which means we’ll likely witness a lot of snobs. We are also looking for Lil baby, DaBaby & Roddy Ricch, three megastars who have already been nominated but still deserve to be recognized. We hope the Grammys break tradition to let in one of these acts.
Doja Cat in “Say So” Music Video
Other suitors: Pop smoke; Ava max; Yungblud; City girls; Rina sawayama; Saweetie; Dominic Fike; Victoria monet; Morgan wallen; Moses Sumney; Conan gray; The tones and me; Joji; Noah cyrus; Tate McRae; BENEE
