Rap

Best Rap Performance

“Bounce Back” (Big Sean)

“Bodak Yellow” (Cardi B)

“4:44” (JAY-Z)

“HUMBLE.” (Kendrick Lamar)

“Bad and Boujee” (Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert)

Will Win: “HUMBLE.”

Should Win: “HUMBLE.” or “4:44”

Dark Horse: “4:44”

Comments: This is a tight category. The least likely to win is Big Sean, and “Bounce Back” is no slouch.  Likely, one of the two performances that are also nominated in the big categories will come out on top.  This is Kendrick Lamar vs. Jay-Z through and through.  Maybe it’ll end up a tie.

Best Rap/Sung Performance 

“PRBLMS” (6LACK)

“Crew” (Goldlink featuring Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy)

“Family Feud” (JAY-Z featuring Beyoncé)

“LOYALTY.” (Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna)

“Love Galore” (SZA featuring Travis Scott)

Will Win: Toss Up

Should Win: “LOYALTY.” Or “Family Feud”

Dark Horse: “Love Galore”

Comments: It’ll be interesting to see if Jay-Z and Kendrick each earn Grammys throughout the rap category, or if it breaks for one and not the other.  This is truly a toss-up.  There are six key players – Kendrick/Rihanna, Jay-Z/Beyoncé, and SZA/Travis Scott. Likely, Kendrick or Jay-Z wins, but don’t underestimate the more popular SZA joint.

Best Rap Song

“Bodak Yellow” (Cardi B)

“Chase Me” (Danger Mouse featuring Run the Jewels & Big Boi)

“HUMBLE.” (Kendrick Lamar)

“Sassy” (Rapsody)

“The Story of O.J.” (JAY-Z)

Will Win: “HUMBLE.”

Should Win: “HUMBLE.”

Dark Horse: “The Story of O.J.”

Comments:  Again, it’s Jay-Z vs. Kendrick Lamar.  Cardi B has a shot, if a small one.

Best Rap Album

4:44 (JAY-Z)

DAMN. (Kendrick Lamar)

Culture (Migos)

Laila’s Wisdom (Rapsody)

Flower Boy (Tyler, The Creator)

Will Win: DAMN.

Should Win: DAMN.

Dark Horse:  4:44

Comments: It comes down to Jay-Z or Kendrick Lamar.  DAMN. had the early momentum, but with multiple nominations, Jay-Z is in it to win it.

Country 

Best Country Album

Cosmic Hallelujah (Kenny Chesney)

Heart Break (Lady Antebellum)

The Breaker (Little Big Town)

Life Changes (Thomas Rhett)

From A Room: Volume 1 (Chris Stapleton)

Will Win: From A Room: Volume 1

Should Win: From A Room: Volume 1

Dark Horse: Life Changes

Comments: Chris Stapleton. Mark it.

Photo Credits: Glassnote, Roc Nation, Interscope, Republic, Atlantic, Universal Music Latin, Mercury, Roc Nation, Glassnote, Blackened Recordings