LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammys nominee pack, however Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Charli xcx are vying for his or her second within the highlight.
Beyoncé is up for 11 awards because of “Cowboy Carter,” tying Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” report for many nominations for a single album.” She’s additionally essentially the most awarded artist in Grammys’ historical past. Is it lastly her time to take residence the highest prize? If she wins the album of the 12 months, she’ll develop into the primary Black lady to take action within the twenty first century.
Who else will likely be victorious, incomes these gramophone-shaped trophies on Sunday?
The Related Press’ Maria Sherman and Jonathan Landrum Jr. break down the shut races for Grammy glory.
Album of the 12 months
“New Blue Sun,” André 3000; “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé; “Short n’ Sweet,” Sabrina Carpenter; “BRAT,” Charli xcx; “Djesse Vol. 4, “Jacob Collier; “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” Billie Eilish; “Chappell Roan The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” Chappell Roan; “The Tortured Poets Department,” Taylor Swift
SHERMAN: I’ve obtained my gloves on, let the boxing start. The album of the 12 months class is stacked with a number of the largest pop releases in latest historical past. Jacob Collier looks like a protracted shot; in some methods, so does André 3000, although it might be nice for a totally instrumental, alt-jazz album take residence the highest prize. He’s received earlier than, with Outkast, for 2004’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.”
My cash is on Beyoncé. She leads the nominations this 12 months. And whereas “Cowboy Carter” is a masterclass in reclamation, a mandatory work that exists in opposition to nation music’s inflexible energy buildings, it’s not her finest album. However her AOTY trophy is lengthy overdue. (Lest we neglect the “Lemonade” snub, AP’s decide for finest album of the final decade.) She’s essentially the most awarded artist in Grammy historical past and has by no means received the highest prize. Let’s repair that!
LANDRUM: Hope you’ve obtained nook, as a result of I don’t pull punches.
Positive, this class is stacked, however there’s just one who stands tall: Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.” Her win shouldn’t be about previous snubs. It’s about the truth that she delivered the most effective general challenge. Interval. Beyoncé dove into nation music headfirst, shining a highlight on Black nation acts like Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer and Tiera Kennedy whereas redefining the style’s prospects.
Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” is unimaginable and well-deserving of a win right here. However Beyoncé didn’t simply make historical past by changing into the primary Black lady to high Billboard’s Sizzling Nation Songs chart in 80 years, she owned this excessive threat, excessive reward alternative.
If this doesn’t result in Beyonce’s first album of the 12 months win, then voters clearly missed the memo.
Report of the 12 months
“Now and Then,” the Beatles; “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé; “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter; “360,” Charli xcx; “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish; “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar; “Good Luck, Babe!”, Chappell Roan; “Fortnight,” Taylor Swift that includes Put up Malone
SHERMAN: Beyoncé has by no means received on this class, however I feel her large win will likely be for album of the 12 months. The Beatles have additionally by no means received report of the 12 months. However giving them the prize in 2024 can be much less for the AI-assisted monitor, and extra for the truth that we’re speaking a couple of new Beatles track. Lamar deserves to win, however everyone knows the Grammys love Eilish… I feel it’s hers to lose.
LANDRUM: The Grammys love handing out trophies to Eilish and Lamar — 17 for him, 9 for her. Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” is an infectious, breezy melody, little question. However “Not Like Us” ought to win. Why? This was a game-changing monitor the place Lamar delivered the ultimate knockout blow throughout an epic rap beef to Drake, following a string of energy punches from hits like “Like That,” “Euphoria,” and “6:16 in LA.”
And who may neglect when Lamar carried out the track 5 occasions in a row at his Juneteenth “Pop Out” live performance final summer time? That was a mic drop second for the tradition.
“Not Like Us” has develop into a day by day affirmation for a lot of (properly, perhaps not Drake). It’s the form of monitor that’s so impactful you nearly hope Lamar performs it a number of occasions throughout his upcoming Tremendous Bowl halftime present efficiency.
Will that occur? In all probability not. However hey, a brotha can dream, proper?
A lot respect to the opposite nominees, however “Not Like Us” deserves to win, proving as soon as and for all that nothing else even got here shut.
Tune of the 12 months (songwriter’s award)
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”; “Birds of a Feather”; “Die with a Smile”; “Fortnight”; “Good Luck, Babe!”; “Not Like Us”; “Please Please Please”; “Texas Hold ’Em.” See the total record of songwriters right here.
LANDRUM: Image this: the presenter opens the envelope and proclaims, “‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick Lamar,” as the gang erupts in cheers. They’ll’t resist reciting the refrain: “They not like us, they not like us, they not us!”
It’s not far-fetched to think about this taking place. Lamar’s pen was as deadly as ever on this monitor. Simply ask Drake. With Lamar because the monitor’s sole songwriter, this looks like the right second for him to lastly snag his first win on this class.
SHERMAN: If there’s any justice on this world, you’re appropriate! And it’s about time Lamar earns a trophy in a high 4 class.
Greatest new artist
Benson Boone; Sabrina Carpenter; Doechii; Khruangbin; RAYE; Chappell Roan; Shaboozey; Teddy Swims
SHERMAN: Final 12 months we have been settlement that Victoria Monét would win finest new artist, after which she did. Will lightning strike twice? There’s no scarcity of deserving expertise right here, however I feel it’ll come all the way down to Carpenter and Roan. Shaboozey is an innovator however his track eclipsed his album; Doechii’s mainstream rise to fame arrived too late within the 12 months. Between the 2 pop girls, I’d love for it to go to Roan — who looks like a breath of contemporary air in music’s mainstream. Nonetheless, I feel it’ll go to Carpenter, even supposing she is on her sixth album.
LANDRUM: I feel we’re each in settlement: That is Carpenter’s class to lose. However let’s be actual. Crowning a finest new artist who’s on their sixth album feels off. It’s like letting a sixth-year faculty soccer participant compete towards freshmen and sophomores. Positive, they’re technically eligible, but it surely doesn’t fairly sit proper. They need to be competing within the execs.
Nonetheless, guidelines are guidelines, and right here we’re. Carpenter may win, but it surely’s laborious to not query if this “new artist” title hits just a little in a different way. Possibly it must be tweaked.
Greatest pop solo efficiency
“Bodyguard,” Beyoncé; “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter; “Apple,” Charli xcx; “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish; “Good Luck, Babe!”, Chappell Roan
SHERMAN: First issues first — it’s thrilling to see an all-woman lineup and it comes as no shock: they’re dominating streaming progress within the U.S. One thing tells me this may go to Sabrina Carpenter for her summertime-and-then-some smash, “Espresso.”
LANDRUM: On this all-women class, I see Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” hovering to victory.
Greatest rap efficiency
“Enough (Miami),” Cardi B; “When the Sun Shines Again,” Widespread and Pete Rock that includes Psdnuos; “Nissan Altima,” Doechii; “Houdini,” Eminem; “Like That,” Future and Metro Boomin that includes Kendrick Lamar; “Yeah Glo!”, GloRilla; “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
LANDRUM: There are some large names on this class, however not one of the nominees are fairly like Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The one actual challenger? Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” which, um, options Lamar himself.
Both means, Lamar takes the win.
SHERMAN: It’s Lamar’s, no query about it.
Greatest nation album
“Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé; “F-1 Trillion,” Put up Malone; “Deeper Well,” Kacey Musgraves; “Higher,” Chris Stapleton; “Whirlwind,” Lainey Wilson
SHERMAN: A number of issues might be true directly: I imagine, in my coronary heart of hearts, Put up Malone could earn his first Grammy on the 2025 award present. I imagine Beyoncé will win album of the 12 months for “Cowboy Carter.” However with regards to the most effective nation album class – and the names Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson are included – it’s laborious for me to think about they’d lose, given the Grammys’ monitor report.
LANDRUM: If Beyoncé doesn’t win finest nation album, how can she probably take residence album of the 12 months? Shrugs. Make it make sense. A loss on this class would really feel like a tell-all signal for the way the night may play out for Beyoncé forward of the ceremony’s high honor.
In my humble opinion, crowning Stapleton — or every other artist — over Beyoncé on this class wouldn’t make sense, particularly since she’s the one nominee on this class that’s up for album of the 12 months. Plus, her culturally groundbreaking album isn’t only a genre-defying masterpiece; it’s a cultural second that ought to rightfully dominate the evening.
Voters have made some questionable calls prior to now. But when justice prevails, Queen Bey must be leaving with this nation music crown.
Greatest R&B album
“11:11 (Deluxe),” Chris Brown; “Vantablack,” Lalah Hathaway; “Revenge,” Muni Lengthy; “Algorithm,” Fortunate Daye; “Coming Home,” Usher
LANDRUM: Do you know it’s been a decade since Usher final took residence a Grammy? 2015 to be actual. I feel Usher’s Grammy-winning drought lastly involves an finish along with his “Coming Home” album. That mentioned, don’t sleep on Muni Lengthy’s “Revenge,” which may sneak in and steal the highlight.
SHERMAN: I typically discover that Grammy voters award an artist for his or her very large years. After strategically dropping the nice “Coming Home” forward of his Tremendous Bowl efficiency and following it up with a tour after his tremendous fashionable Vegas residency, how may it not go to Usher?
Greatest dance/digital album
“BRAT,” Charli xcx; “Three,” 4 Tet; “Hyperdrama,” Justice; “Timeless,” KAYTRANADA; “Telos,” Zedd
SHERMAN: Charli xcx’s “BRAT” was greater than an album, it was a zeitgeist-shifting motion the place the foundations are have enjoyable, be messy, go to a rave and embrace a vomit-y chartreuse shade. Proper? I imagine she is going to win her first Grammy at this 12 months’s present, and I imagine not less than one among them will likely be for finest dance/digital album – until, after all, the Justice followers emerge out of the woodwork.
LANDRUM: This looks like “BRAT” is destined to win, particularly because it’s the one challenge on this class additionally up for album of the 12 months. Nonetheless, if Beyoncé may doubtlessly lose finest nation album, then something’s attainable together with KAYTRANADA’s “Timeless” pulling off the upset.
Each initiatives are on par with one another, and KAYTRANADA together with Justice have triumphed on this class earlier than. However it simply looks like the celebs are aligning for Charli xcx to take this one.
Greatest Latin pop album
“Funk Generation,” Anitta; “El Viaje,” Luis Fonsi; “GARCÍA,” Kany García; “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” Shakira; “ORQUÍDEAS,” Kali Uchis
SHERMAN: Whereas música Mexicana continues to develop globally (and that class will possible see one other win from Peso Pluma — or perhaps Carin León for his hooky “Boca Chueca, Vol. 1”) I needed to speak by way of the Latin pop album class, as a result of I feel there’s some potential for competitors right here. Kali Uchis’ “ORQUÍDEAS” was not solely one among AP’s picks for better of 2024, but it surely was additionally met with wide-spread acclaim. May Recording Academy members agree? Kany García received a number of trophies on the 2024 Latin Grammys, however my cash is on Shakira’s “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.” It’s her first new album in seven years, and I feel she will likely be awarded accordingly.
LANDRUM: Shakira might need a robust shot at taking this class, however my cash’s on “ORQUIDEAS.” With out-of-this-world manufacturing, Uchis effortlessly switches between Spanish and English, taking listeners on a journey that flows from melodic vibes to full-on dance flooring vitality. It’s the right fusion, and the last word recipe for a win.
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The 67th Grammy Awards will likely be held Sunday at Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles. The present will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. For extra protection, go to https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards.
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Author : LasVegasNews
Publish date : 2025-01-27 19:27:05
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