Reaction: 2022 GRAMMY Award Nominations | Deep Dive

The Musical Hype deep dives into 2022 GRAMMY Award nominations, focused on some of the key categories including the big four.   

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t’s that time again! The 2022 GRAMMY award nominations have been announced! This is always exciting for musicians and music enthusiasts alike.  For us music enthusiasts, critics, and biz folks, we often lament the mistakes made in the nomination process as well as who ultimately wins.  Last year, The Recording Academy made one of the biggest snubs to date, failing to nominate The Weeknd for After Hours, his best album and a surefire contender for the top awards.  This year, thankfully, the nominations are stronger with far fewer snubs.  So, let’s deep dive into the big four categories as well as some other intriguing categories!

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Record of the Year

The Record of the Year category features a diverse slate of records.  I was surprised to see ABBA ( “I Still Have Faith in You”), Jon Batiste ( “Freedom”), and Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga ( “I Get a Kick Out of You”) nominated in this category.  All three records are great, though I didn’t envision them receiving a nom.  Worth noting, none of the three were successful on the Billboard Hot 100. That, of course, doesn’t inhibit Grammy success.

I’m not shocked to see Justin Bieber ( “Peaches”), Brandi Carlile ( “Right on Time”), Billie Eilish ( “Happier Than Ever”), Doja Cat ( “Kiss Me More”), Lil Nas X ( “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”), Olivia Rodrigo ( “drivers license”), and Silk Sonic ( “Leave the Door Open”). Bieber, Lil Nas X, Rodrigo, and Silk Sonic all topped the Billboard Hot 100 with their respective songs.  “Drivers license” in particular was dominant.

Predictions: Who are the favorites? While I respect Jon Batiste for receiving 11 Grammy nominations, I don’t envision him winning here.  I also am skeptical about the chances of ABBA, regardless of the fact Voyage marks their comeback LP.  I can see Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga may have a shot considering this is essentially Bennett’s farewell.   That said, I’d watch Billie Eilish (a two-time victor here), Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X (the controversy he stirred was pitch-perfect), and another previous ROTY winner, Bruno Mars via Silk Sonic.

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Album of the Year

I preferred the Album of the Year nominees to the Record of the Year nominees.  Album of the Year feels ‘closer’ to representing the current music scene from my perspective.  Again, I’m surprised by nominations for Jon Batiste ( We Are) and Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga ( Love for Sale).  Worth noting, both Bennett and Gaga have been nominated in this category multiple times with Bennett coming out victorious.

Slightly less surprising nominations include Kanye West ( Donda) and Justin Bieber ( Justice – Triple Chucks Deluxe).  Both West and Bieber have been nominated here previously.  This is West’s fourth AOTY ( The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation previously) nomination and Bieber’s second ( Purpose).

Interestingly, I predicted another AOTY nomination for H.E.R. ( Back of My Mind) based on her success at various awards shows.  That said, I would’ve been shocked if Billie Eilish ( Happier Than Ever), Doja Cat ( Planet Her), Lil Nas X ( Montero), Olivia Rodrigo ( Sour), and Taylor Swift ( evermore) weren’t nominated.

Predictions: Let’s start with the albums I don’t expect to contend.  Again, I’m happy for Jon Batiste, but I’d be shocked to see We Are win, 11 nominations or not.  Also, while you can NEVER rule out Taylor Swift, I believe she walks out empty-handed in the AOTY category this year.  Furthermore, her arch nemesis, Kanye West, will go 0-4 in this category, while Justin Bieber will get his second loss.

That leaves six albums in contention in my book.  I’m going to be skeptical about two more: H.E.R. and Doja Cat.  I would’ve put H.E.R. in the first tier of albums I don’t expect to win, but let’s not forget, she won Song of the Year unexpectedly last year ( “I Can’t Breathe”).  As for Doja, Planet Her was a fine album that showed off her versatility, I’m just not sure it’s ‘strong enough’ among heavyweights.

Down to four contenders in my eyes: Billie Eilish ( Happier Than Ever), Lil Nas X ( Montero), Olivia Rodrigo ( Sour), and Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga ( Love for Sale).  Of those four, I’m less enthused about the Bennett/Gaga album, but understand and respect why it stands a chance.  That said, I prefer a battle between previous winner Eilish, previous nominee Lil Nas X, and electrifying newbie, Rodrigo.

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Song of the Year

Let’s talk about the surprises.  “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran, really? Not a fan for this elite of an award, sorry.  Maybe more surprising is the collaboration between Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile ( “A Beautiful Noise”) nominated here.  Surprising if only H.E.R. still doesn’t seem like the ‘biggest’ artist in the business, is another nomination in this category for “Fight for You”.  Worth noting, “Fight for You” won H.E.R. the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

I like the other seven nominees her for serious contention.  Is it a coincidence all seven are also nominated in the Record of the Year category? Billie Eilish ( “Happier Than Ever”), Doja Cat ( “Kiss Me More”), Justin Bieber ( “Peaches”), Lil Nas X ( “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”), Olivia Rodrigo ( “drivers license”), and Silk Sonic ( “Leave the Door Open”).  To me, maybe aside from another H.E.R. upset, these are the contenders.

Predictions:  Let me repeat, I’m not a fan of the Ed Sheeran record here – it’s out.  Also, I don’t see Keys/Carlile coming out victorious.  Never count out H.E.R. – she’s an ex-factor.  My favorites, however, would be Eilish, Lil Nas X, Rodrigo, and Silk Sonic.  Keep in mind, Eilish and Bruno Mars (of Silk Sonic) have won previously.

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Best New Artist 

Best New Artist is diverse, featuring a mix of up-and-coming musicians.  I’m a bit surprised to see FINNEAS nominated given his Grammy success already.  Yes, he’s noted more for his production and songwriting with his sister, Billie, but he’s been around a few years at this point.  I am glad that there are black musicians being honored here, including country musician Jimmie Allen, rapper Baby Keem, alternative R&B musician Arlo Parks, and Saweetie (also Asian).  Also, shout out the nomination for Pakistani musician Arooj Aftab.

Predictions:  Who stands the best chance? Olivia Rodrigo is option number one, baby! Other options? The Kid LAROI has had a monster year and might be the top choice if Rodrigo hadn’t been more dominant.  Don’t count out FINNEAS I guess, or Glass Animals, or maybe even Baby Keem.  Also, never write off the person you’re least familiar with: Arooj Aftab.  Do you remember Esperanza Spalding?

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Pop 

Pop Solo Performance:  Three of the five nominees are nominated in Record and/or Song of the Year.  I think that potentially knocks Justin Bieber ( “Anyone”) and Ariana Grande ( “Positions”) out of contention.  Never say never, though! The best performance belongs to Brandi Carlile ( “Right on Time”) in my eyes, but I think either Billie Eilish ( “Happier Than Ever”) or Olivia Rodrigo ( “drivers license”) comes out on top.

Pop Duo/Group Performance:  I like all five nominees here .  Based on the biggest nominations, one would expect this contest to come down to Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga ( “I Get a Kick Out of You”) and Doja Cat featuring SZA ( “Kiss Me More”).  That said, could BTS swoop in here smooth like “Butter” and pull off the upset?

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:  Mark my words, it’s Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, Love for Sale.

Best Pop Vocal Album: Notice, only one album nominated in this category isn’t contending for Album of the Year – Ariana Grande, Positions.  That’s fair as her previous albums are better.  Let’s say we take her out of the equation, who wins?  This one feels like a Billie Eilish / Olivia Rodrigo battle to me. Eilish is nominated in three out of the four big categories – all she’s eligible for – while Rodrigo is nominated in all four.  Of course, can’t even necessarily use that logic considering Bieber and Doja are also nominated in three out of four big categories…  The snub? Lil Nas X for Montero, which is a pop album.

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Rock

Best Rock Performance:  A live performance by Black Pumas is nominated here ( “Know You Better (Live from Capitol Studio A)”) – hmm.  A posthumous Chris Cornell performance might be hard to deny – he was a legendary rock musician.  Still, seems like this could come down to AC/DC ( “Shot in the Dark”), Deftones ( “Ohms”), or Foo Fighters ( “Making a Fire”).  My pick would be “Making a Fire,” by the way.

Rock Album: Except for snubbing Deftones, the album category looks like the performance nominations. Replacing Deftones is Paul McCartney with McCartney III – understandable.  Could the beloved icon win? You bet.  Still, what about AC/DC ( Power Up) or Foo Fighters ( Medicine at Midnight).  Also, don’t count out posthumous Chris Cornell!

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Alternative  

Best Alternative Music Album:  This is not only one of my favorite categories, but it’s always stacked.  This year is no different.  Two Best New Artist nominees make the cut: Japanese Breakfast (Jubilee) and Arlo Parks ( Collapsed in Sunbeams).  Shout out noms for Fleet Foxes ( Shore) and Halsey ( If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power).  My pick, however, goes to St. Vincent, Daddy’s Home, which was one of my favorite albums of 2021.

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R&B 

Best R&B Performance:  I guess “Peaches” by Justin Bieber is a R&B record .  It does feature R&B artists Daniel Caesar and GIVĒON.  “Peaches,” of course, is a great record, nominated for Record and Song of the Year.  It contends with another ‘big’ nominee, “Leave the Door Open”.  Even if those two are presumed favorites, the competition includes H.E.R. (“Damage”), Jazmine Sullivan ( “Pick Up Your Feelings”), and a fabulous performance by Swedish-Iranian singer, Snoh Aalegra ( “Lost You”).  Seems like a potential H.E.R. win to me.

Best Progressive R&B Album:  This category is often among the most random in my eyes.  I like Lucky Daye,  Table for Two, here, but when the name Robert Glasper is attached ( Dinner Party: Dessert), watch out.

Best R&B Album:  This is one of the best categories of the entire field.  I often have beef with R&B but having Snoh Aalegra ( Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies), Jon Batiste ( We Are), Leon Bridges ( Gold-Diggers Sound), H.E.R. ( Back of My Mind), and Jazmine Sullivan ( Heaux Tales) duke it out feels right.  We all know this comes down to H.E.R. and Batiste.

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Rap

Best Rap Performance:  This is a competitive category.  Does one of the two women come out on top ( Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion) or do they cancel each other out? Could Baby Keem win with an assist by Grammy royalty Kendrick Lamar ( “Family Ties”)? Hard to call!

Best Melodic Rap Performance:  Another competitive category! The two names that get my attention immediately are Lil Nas X (featuring Jack Harlow) “Industry Baby” and Doja Cat, “Need to Know”.  I like Nas X in that head to head.  However,  I love the other three records courtesy of J. Cole ( “P R I D E . I S . T H E . D E V I L”), Tyler, the Creator ( “Wusyaname”), and Kanye West ( “Hurricane”).

Best Rap Album: Solid category.  Could Kanye West win his first Grammy for rap album in years? He is nominated for Album of the Year, so, seems as if he has more momentum.  Still, I’d argue that there are three better albums than Donda: J. Cole, The Off-Season, Nas, King’s Disease II ( King’s Disease won last year), and Tyler, The Creator, Call Me If You Get Lost.  Give me a Nas repeat or a second Grammy for Tyler.

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Country

Best Country Performance:  Another well-crafted category.  Country fans love them some Luke Combs, so, who’s shocked to see “Forever After All”?  I love seeing Mickey Guyton breaking through and earning these noms ( “Remember Her Name”).  Still, it’s hard to beat Kacey Musgraves ( “camera roll”) or Chris Stapleton ( “You Should Probably Leave”).

Best Country Song: Doesn’t “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes have to win Best Country Song??? It won’t, of course .

Best Country Album: While it would be sweet if Mickey Guyton could make history with Remember Her Name, I fully expected Chris Stapleton wins easily with Starting Over.

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Final Thoughts  

Overall, I think the Grammys did a better job this year with nominations than last year.  The albums nominated last year were meh in my book.  There were good albums, mind you, but I didn’t necessarily envision them earning an AOTY nod.  This year, that field is better.  Who is likely to win big? Watch the battles between Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo – I see them as favorites.  That said, don’t underestimate Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga.  Personally, I’d like to see Lil Nas X breakthrough big though I wished he’d been nominated in the pop album category along with Doja Cat.

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Reaction: 2022 GRAMMY Award Nominations | Deep Dive [: Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Darkroom, Geffen, Interscope, Jake Houglum via Pexels, Kemosabe, The Musical Hype, RCA]

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