Who will come out on top at the 60th Grammy Awards? We take our best stab at picking winners for record, album & song of the year, and best new artist.

On November 28, 2017, the nominees/nominations were announced for the 60^th Grammy Awards.  The nominations as a whole represented relevancy, a step that the Recording Academy has been easing into over the last couple of years in particular.  Notably, there’s great diversity in the nominees, with few left-field surprises.  Arguably, this is the best crop of nominations yet because it matches the current musical climate, for better or for worse. Here are The Musical Hype way-too-early picks for the 60^th Grammy Awards in the most coveted categories.  These are subject to change.

General Field

Record of The Year

“Redbone” (Childish Gambino)

“Despacito” (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Ft. Justin Bieber)

“The Story of O.J.” (JAY-Z)

“HUMBLE.” (Kendrick Lamar)

“24K Magic” (Bruno Mars)

Will Win: “Despacito”

 Should Win: “HUMBLE.”

 Dark Horse: “24K Magic” or “The Story of O.J.”

Comments: This is a tough one to call.  There are three records that I personally think have the best shot: “HUMBLE.,” “Despacito,” and “24K Magic.” “Despacito” was ubiquitous, which might edge out the competition.  16 weeks at no. 1 rarely happens. It should be noted that a Bruno Mars or a shocking Jay-Z win here might signal a wave for the big award – Album of the Year.

Album of The Year

“Awaken, My Love!” (Childish Gambino)
4:44 (JAY-Z)     

DAMN. (Kendrick Lamar)

Melodrama (Lorde)

24K Magic (Bruno Mars)

Will Win: 24K Magic

 Should Win: DAMN.

 Dark Horse: Jay-Z or Lorde

Comments: Childish Gambino shouldn’t be counted out.  Arguably, he’s a dark horse as well and has a Record of the Year nomination on his side.  The more intriguing dark horses are Lorde, who has no other nominations, or Jay-Z, who is nominated in three of the four biggest categories. Lorde is unlike the other four nominees, which may play to her advantage if Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar cancel each other out, as well as Childish Gambino and Bruno Mars.

Going into the Grammys, Kendrick Lamar again looks like the one to beat.  However, Bruno Mars may be considered the more sensible choice, appealing to various fan bases.

Song of The Year

“Despacito” (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)

“4:44” (JAY-Z)

“Issues” (Julia Michaels)

“1-800-273-8255” (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)

“That’s What I Like” (Bruno Mars)

Will Win: “1-800-273-8255”

 Should Win: “1-800-273-8255” or “Despacito”

 Dark Horse: “That’s What I Like” or “4:44”

Comments: Another tight category that’s difficult to predict.  Julia Michaels has a compelling case, but personally, she would’ve been better off nominated for pop solo performance as opposed to song of the year.  “Despacito” feels more like record personally, but there’s the possibility because it was so big it could win in both categories.  “1-800-273-8255” feels like the most meaningful song of the bunch, even if it’s a pop-rap record.  Still, don’t count out an excellent ‘record’ by Bruno Mars or the personal, apologetic “4:44” by Jay-Z. 

Best New Artist

Alessia Cara

Khalid

Lil Uzi Vert

Julia Michaels

SZA

Will Win: Khalid

 Should Win: Toss Up

 Dark Horse: Julia Michaels, SZA

Comments: This may be the most competitive Best New Artist category in years.  Personally, there is no clear advantage – it’s personal preference.  Perhaps Alessia Cara is a year too late – she should’ve been nominated at the 59^th Grammy Awards.  Still, she had a productive year collaborating on one of the year’s biggest songs, “1-800-273-8255,” not to mention another Grammy-nominated hit, “Stay” with Zedd.  Julia Michaels broke through with “Issues,” a very well-rounded song.  But, was it enough? It might be, given its nomination in the Song of the Year category.

Khalid was an early lock, given his breakout hit with “Location,” success with American Teen as a whole, as well as his distinctive voice.  He also appears on “1-800-273-8255.”  SZA has had a breakthrough as well, padding her own accomplishments with a hit with one of pop’s biggest bands, Maroon 5.  Then there’s Lil Uzi Vert, who delivered a verse on Migos’ Grammy-nominated hit “Bad and Boujee,” and had a breakout solo album with Luv is Rage 2.  This is truly a toss-up, but I’ll stick with Khalid for now.

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