Reaction: 59th Annual Grammy Award Nominees

Grammy nomination reactions: Monumental snubs are few and far between in this year’s group of nominees.

The 59^th Annual Grammy Award nominations have been announced.  Overall, it’s tough to find big-time snubs throughout the field. Sure, the Grammys failed to nominate the late David Bowie for album of the year, but they did give the icon some nods.  Yes, last year’s Best New Artist Meghan Trainor failed to earn a nomination this year, but there were better albums and performances.  And while many guys could identify with the “Pillowtalk” of which Zayn sung about, we weren’t sold on it earning him a Grammy.  After examining the Grammy field for the 2017 ceremony, here are some reactions to the most notable nominations.

 

1. Record of the Year

 

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Beyoncé, “Formation” (Lemonade)

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Rihanna ft. Drake, “Work”

Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out” (Blurryface)

 

Reaction:  According to our predictions, we only nailed two of them: Adele (“Hello”) and Lukas Graham (“7 Years”).  We knew that Beyoncé had a shot at earning a nod for “Formation.” Earlier in the year, “Work” was a trendy pick that lasted beyond its peak.  The surprise comes with Twenty One Pilots’ “Stressed Out,” which is a well-rounded choice.  All in all, no complaints.

 

 

2. Album of the Year

 

Adele, 25

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Justin Bieber, Purpose

Drake, Views

Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

 

Reaction:  Three of these five choices come as no surprise: Adele, Beyoncé, and Drake.  Justin Bieber’s inclusion for Purpose isn’t far-fetched – it was always a possibility.  The head-scratcher comes with Sturgill Simpson’s A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.  Why not David Bowie or Rihanna? Still, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth is a well-rounded country album.

 

 

3. Song of the Year

 

Beyoncé, “Formation” (Lemonade)

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Mike Posner, “I Took a Pill in Ibiza”

Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

 

Reaction: Three out of five isn’t too bad (Adele, Lukas Graham, and Justin Bieber).  Beyoncé managed to earn another nod for “Formation,” also not far-fetched.  The biggest surprise is Mike Posner’s nod for “I Took a Pill in Ibiza.” Good song, but still surprising.

 

 

4. Best New Artist

 

Kelsea Ballerini

The Chainsmokers

Chance the Rapper

Maren Morris

Anderson .Paak

 

Reaction: Again, three out of five predicted correctly (The Chainsmokers, Chance the Rapper, and Maren Morris). Kelsea Ballerini became a breakout star, but still, isn’t it surprising they opted for her over say Alessia Cara? Anderson .Paak is a pleasant surprise in urban circles, but certainly not a mainstream nominee.

 

 

5. Best Pop Solo Performance

 

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Beyoncé, “Hold Up” (Lemonade)

Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”

Kelly Clarkson, “Piece by Piece (Idol Version)”

Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman” (Dangerous Woman)

 

Reaction: All in all, this is a respectable slate of nominees.  The inclusion of “Piece by Piece” is a bit surprising, as is Beyoncé’s nod in the pop category for “Hold Up.” Still, “Hold Up” should definitely be nominated – one of the best songs off of Lemonade.

 

 

6. Best Pop Duo / Group Performance

 

The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey, “Closer”

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Rihanna ft. Drake, “Work”

Sia ft. Sean Paul, “Cheap Thrills”

Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out” (Blurryface)

 

Reaction: Another excellent set of nominees.  No complaints whatsoever.

 

 

8. Best Pop Vocal Album

 

Adele, 25

Justin Bieber, Purpose

Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman

Demi Lovato, Confident

Sia, This is Acting

 

Reaction: Kudos for Demi Lovato receiving a nomination for Confident, an underrated, but exceptional pop album.  Otherwise, the nominees appear as expected.

 

 

9. Best Dance Recording 

Bob Moses, “Tearing Me Up” (Days Gone By)

The Chainsmokers ft. Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down” (Collage)

Flume ft. Kai, “Never Be Like You”

Riton ft. Kah-Lo, “Rince & Repeat”

Sofi Tukker, “Drinkee”

 

Reaction: Two big-named records stand out here: The Chainsmokers featuring Daya (“Don’t Let Me Down”) and Flume featuring Kai (“Never Be Like You”).

 

 

12. Best Rock Performance

 

Alabama Shakes, “Joe (Live from Austin City Limits)”

Beyoncé ft. Jack White, “Don’t Hurt Yourself” (Lemonade)

David Bowie, “Blackstar” (Blackstar)

Disturbed, “The Sound of Silence (Live on Conan)”

Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens” (Suicide Squad: The Album)

 

Reaction: Two live recordings? There are several ways to take the fact that live recordings are nominated in place of two studio recordings. Did 2016 have a lack of Grammy-worthy nominees in the rock category? Perhaps. The three studio recordings are fantastic choices: Beyoncé nominated for “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” David Bowie for “Blackstar,” and Twenty One Pilots for “Heathens.”

 

 

15. Best Rock Album

 

Blink-182, California

Cage the Elephant, Tell Me I’m Pretty

Gojira, Magma

Panic! At The Disco, Death of a Bachelor

Weezer, Weezer

 

Reaction: The nominees for best rock album are surprising. No disrespect to the nominees, but any other year, none of these artists might normally be nominated for this award.  Arguably, these nominees speak to the changing face of rock music as well as a weaker rock field in 2016.

 

 

16. Best Alternative Music Album

 

Bon Iver, 22, A Million

David Bowie, Blackstar

PJ Harvey, The Hope Six Demolition Project

Iggy Pop, Post Pop Depression

Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool

 

Reaction: Best alternative music album is always a tight category.  This year is no different.  Most surprising is the fact that David Bowie (Blackstar) ended up in this category as opposed to Best Rock album.

 

 

17. Best R&B Performance

 

BJ the Chicago Kid, “Turnin’ Me Up” (In My Mind)

Ro James, “Permission” (Eldorado)

Musiq Soulchild, “I Do” (Life on Earth)

Rihanna, “Needed Me”

Solange, “Cranes in the Sky” (A Seat at the Table)

 

Reaction: Sigh, the R&B field has changed over the years, including many unpredictable nominees.  The five nominees here are great choices, but it’s surprising to see the likes of Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell snubbed here.  No “Amen” and no “Lake By the Ocean”? Really?

 

18. Best Traditional R&B Performance

William Bell, “The Three of Me” (This is Where I Live)

BJ the Chicago Kid, “Woman’s World” (In My Mind)

Fantasia, “Sleeping with the One I Love” (The Definition Of…)

Lalah Hathaway, “Angel” (Lalah Hathaway Live)

Jill Scott, “Can’t Wait” (Woman)

 

Reaction: Another category where one questions why Anthony Hamilton doesn’t get a nod.  Fantasia had a lackadaisical offering with The Definition of…, but it’s best song rightfully gets a nod here (“Sleeping with the One I Love”).

 

19. Best R&B Song

 

PARTYNEXTDOOR ft. Drake, “Come See Me” (PartyNextDoor 3 (P3))

Bryson Tiller, “Exchange” (T R A P S O U L)

Rihanna, “Kiss It Better” (Anti)

Maxwell, “Lake By the Ocean” (blackSUMMERS’night)

Tory Lanez, “Luv” (I Told You)

 

Reaction: Maxwell gets the nod here, thank goodness. Kudos to nominating “Exchange” for Best R&B song.  As to why PARTNEXTDOOR got a nod over many better R&B songs…hmm.

 

 

20. Best Urban Contemporary Album

 

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Gallant, Ology

KING, We Are King

Anderson .Paak, Malibu

Rihanna, Anti

 

Reaction: Nice to see lesser-known acts Anderson .Paak, Gallant and, KING earn a Grammy nomination here.  Their reward is going up against Beyoncé (Lemonade) and Rihanna (Anti) of course.

 

 

21. Best R&B Album

 

BJ the Chicago Kid, In My Mind

Lalah Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway Live

Terrance Martin, Velvet Portraits

Mint Condition, Healing Season

Mya, Smoove Jones

 

Reaction: This is a category that baffles as of late.  To its credit, it does award less mainstream artist, particularly those more soulful. That said, it is inexcusable that Anthony Hamilton (What I’m Feelin’) and Maxwell (blackSUMMERS’night) aren’t nominated here.

 

 

22. Best Rap Performance

 

Chance the Rapper ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz, “No Problem”

Desiigner, “Panda”

Drake ft. The Throne, “Pop Style” (Views)

Fat Joe & Remy Ma ft. French Montana & Infared, “All the Way Up”

ScHoolboy Q ft. Kanye West, “That Part” (Blank Face LP)

 

Reaction: The biggest surprise here is the Fat Joe/Remy Ma nomination.

 

 

23. Best Rap/ Sung Performance

 

Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Freedom” (Lemonade)

Drake, “Hotline Bling” (Views)

D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”

Kanye West ft. Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin & The-Dream, “Ultralight Beam” (The Life of Pablo)

Kanye West ft. Rihanna, “Famous”

 

Reaction:  Good to see “Broccoli” nab a nomination here.  Overall, this is a well-rounded category, particularly “Ultralight Beam.”

 

 

24. Best Rap Song

 

Fat Joe & Remy Ma ft. French Montana & Infared, “All the Way Up”

Kanye West ft. Rihanna, “Famous”

Drake, “Hotline Bling” (Views)

Chance the Rapper ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz, “No Problem”

Kanye West ft. Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin & The-Dream, “Ultralight Beam” (The Life of Pablo)

 

Reaction: Once more, the nomination for “All the Way Up” is surprising.  A pleasant surprise is that “Ultralight Beam” is nominated once again.

 

 

25. Best Rap Album

 

Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book

De La Soul, And the Anonymous Nobody

DJ Khaled, Major Key

Drake, Views

Schoolboy Q, Blank Face LP

Kanye West, The Life of Pablo

 

Reaction: The biggest omission is Kendrick Lamar (untitled unmastered), but it’s not a travesty considering it wasn’t a proper studio album.

 

 

28. Best Country Song

 

Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” (Ripcord)

Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man” (Tangled Up)

Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind” (Damn Country Music)

Maren Morris, “My Church” (Hero)

Miranda Lambert, “Vice”

 

Reaction:  This is a tight category.  Monstrous nominees to say the least.

 

 

29. Best Country Album

 

Brandy Clark, Big Day in a Small Town

Loretta Lynn, Full Circle

Maren Morris, Hero

Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Keith Urban, Ripcord

 

Reaction: Well-rounded nominees through and through.  Could album of the year nominee Sturgill Simpson potentially lose this category against such a strong crop? Yes.

 

 

61. Best Song Written for Visual Media

 

Justin Timberlek, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”  (Trolls)

Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens” (Suicide Squad)

P!nk, “Just Like Fire” (Alice Through the Looking Glass)

Skrillex & Rick Ross, “Purple Lamborghini” (Suicide Squad)

Shakira, “Try Everything”

Peter Gabriel, “The Veil” (Snowden)

 

Reaction: Some cried foul over the fact that Justin Timberlake didn’t get more love for “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” Regardless, he gets recognition here.  The problem is, he’s up against juggernauts!

 

 

Photo Credits: Columbia