The 2018 Grammy Awards have already been controversial. For the first time since 1999, not a single white man was nominated for Album of the Year. What’s more, rumor has it that Beyoncé fans still have not forgiven the Academy for bestowing Adele the Album of the Year award over Beyoncé’s “Lemonade.”
The music industry raised the bar this past year. Most of the nominated artists produced some of their best work, resulting in a fiercely competitive year—just in time for the Grammys’ 60th year milestone. With the show fast approaching, let’s break down some of the nominations and see how many of the categories the Academy’s voting members will get wrong, yet again.
Album of the Year Nominees:
“Awaken, My Love!” by Childish Gambino
“4:44” by Jay-Z
“DAMN.” by Kendrick Lamar
“Melodrama” by Lorde
“24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
What should win: “DAMN.”
We might have given “DAMN.” a mere two stars when we reviewed it, but the album has both the artistic merit and the cultural significance to win the award. Standout songs “HUMBLE.” and “LOYALTY.” reveal a refreshingly poppy side of Lamar, while future classics “DNA.” and “DUCKWORTH.” remind listeners why the wordsmith’s ability to storytell remains his biggest strength.
What will win: “4:44.”
Like his wife, Jay-Z has never won the Grammy’s top prize. Though the album is exclusively on Tidal, Jay-Z’s streaming company, which undoubtedly hindered “4:44’s” commercial success compared to his younger counterparts. Nevertheless, this album is Jay-Z’s most revealing, honest, and self-critical work. His long standing reputation and staying power make him the obvious choice to win.
Record of the Year Nominees:
“Redbone” by Childish Gambino
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story of O.J.” by Jay-Z
“HUMBLE.” by Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
What should win: “Redbone.”
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