By Grace Koennecke, Web Editor
Photo: GRAMMY.com
This Sunday, the 67th annual Grammy Awards will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, honoring the past year in music. From breakthrough stars like Chappell Roan and Charli xcx to seasoned veterans like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, this year’s ceremony is sure to be full of many surprises, and possibly, upsets.
Before the ceremony, here is a list of predictions of who will win big at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Album of the Year: “COWBOY CARTER” by Beyoncé
The most awarded artist by The Recording Academy, Beyoncé shockingly has never won Album of the Year since her solo debut in 2003. Thus, “COWBOY CARTER” deserves to win in this category, as all of the other albums up against the singer do not symbolize the true art of genre-bending. Additionally, this album has proven to the whole music industry that Beyoncé can take on any genre with ease, all while honoring the people of color in country music who have come before her.
It’s clear that Beyoncé dropped this album during a pivotal moment in American history and pop culture as well. “COWBOY CARTER” is an album that openly discusses intersectionality, race and politics, putting the singer’s perspective as a Southern black woman, mother, daughter, wife and musician at the forefront. Overall, it was one of the most significant releases of 2024, and Beyoncé still deserves all her flowers for making country music lively and relatable again.
Record of the Year: “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter
One of the biggest earworms of 2024 was Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” and it seems like this song has a strong chance of winning Record of the Year because of its instant virality. Produced by Julian Bunetta, known for his work with One Direction and Teddy Swims, this award acknowledges a song with the best recorded performance. This track showed off Carpenter’s signature writing style, integrating lyrics full of double entendres with a 1950s-inspired surf sound.
Arguably the song of the summer, Carpenter should take home Record of the Year for creating a catchy and inescapable chorus, which has been seen before in past winners like Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” and Lizzo’s “About Damn Time.”
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
One of the most successful breakout artists of the year has been Chappell Roan after the release of her 2023 debut, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” Taking over 2024 with a range of incredible performances at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Lollapalooza Chicago, the singer has had quite the year. What has made Roan’s music so captivating is her ability to create pop songs that focus strongly on identity, authenticity, feminism and queerness, and it’s no surprise she is now being compared to the greats like Lady Gaga and Kate Bush.
Releasing the single “Good Luck, Babe!” last year, Roan’s stardom has since continued to skyrocket, making her one of the most watched performers of 2024. It would be a great win for Roan if she picked up Best New Artist, as it would be her first Grammy Award and a historic win for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Guess” by Charli xcx and Billie Eilish
Charli xcx is another name that went viral this past year for her sixth studio album, “Brat.” However, she didn’t just stop with the original version of the album, but instead released a remixed version as well, titled “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat.” Amongst the array of amazing collaborations, Charli xcx teamed up with Billie Eilish to create “Guess,” a song all about seduction. Now, the track is a staple at all raves, parties and even bars, proving how much of a classic it already is.
Winning over the hearts of both their fanbases, Charli xcx and Billie Eilish could potentially win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for a EDM-inspired track, which is usually not what wins in this category. Yet, the creative risk could allow them to stand out in this category, and it could be the first Grammy Award win for Charli xcx as well.
Best Rap Album: “Alligator Bites Never Heal” by Doechii
Switching into the rap categories, Doechii deserves to win Best Rap Album for her astounding mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” Her most recent performances at NPR’s Tiny Desk and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” have confidently convinced me the rapper will take home the Grammy Award because of how detailed, precise and intentional her artistry is. This album proved Doechii’s work ethic and efficiency, with many of the songs, such as “NISSAN ALTIMA,” being freestyle attempts created in a day or two.
Interestingly, no female rapper of color has won in the category since 2019, which was Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy.” If Doechii wins, it could also be a huge win of the night, signaling a new wave of rap music that is diverse, authentic and innovative.
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