Too-early predictions for the Grammy Awards biggest categories

As a long-time music enthusiast and aficionado, I must say that this year’s Grammy nominations have left me both intrigued and puzzled. On one hand, it’s fantastic to see some fresh faces like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan in the Best New Artist category, as well as the legendary Rolling Stones and Jack White competing for Best Rock Album.

This year, Jack Antonoff found himself in a less-than-pleasant situation with Grammy Awards voters. Despite being nominated at least once since 2019, and contributing to Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter’s albums that were also nominated, the academy chose not to recognize his work in this year’s nominations.

At some stage, we may discuss potential oversights in Grammy nominations, but if Antonoff had been nominated, he likely would have been among our predicted winners. His omission from the list could potentially suggest that Swift might not win multiple awards at the Grammys either. However, this is quite speculative.

It seems that Beyoncé may finally receive her big award this time around. With a record-breaking 99 Grammy nominations under her belt, she’s starting to resemble the musical equivalent of actress Glenn Close – consistently nominated but yet to win a major accolade. Fingers crossed we’ll find out if that changes when the Grammys take place on February 2, 2025.

Too-early predictions for who will win (and should win) the major categories at the Grammy Awards

Album of the Year nominees:

André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Billie Eilish – Hot Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli XCX – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 4
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

So far, Beyoncé hasn’t taken home a victory in this particular category, while Taylor Swift has won it four times. There are several contenders who deserve recognition, but they seem to be eclipsed by Beyoncé and Swift, as Billie Eilish appears to shine less brightly in comparison. It seems likely that Swift will claim another win, but there’s speculation that Beyoncé might receive an award in a different category.

Will win: Swift
Should win: André 3000

Song of the Year nominees:

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Chibueze Collins Obinna, Nevin Sastry and Mark Williams, songwriters (Shaboozey)
“Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“Die With a Smile” – Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars)
“Fortnight” – Jack Antonoff, Austin Post, and Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone)
“Good Luck, Babe!” – Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Daniel Nigro and Justin Tranter, songwriters (Chappell Roan)
“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)
“Please Please Please” – Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff, and Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters (Sabrina Carpenter)
“Texas Hold ‘Em” – Brian Bates, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro and Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyoncé)

The Grammys may have taken a subtle jab at Drake by nominating “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar instead. Shaboozey’s song was a commercial success, which this category often recognizes. However, the outcome seems to favor Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Billie Eilish in this particular category.

Will win: Eilish
Should win: Roan

Record of the Year nominees:

“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 featuring Post Malone

The presence of The Beatles serves as a testament to their fame and the application of AI in the song, but this might simply be the Grammys leveraging their ability to nominate such a renowned group. It’s unlikely Shaboozey will win Song of the Year because it isn’t even nominated in that category here.

Will win: Beyoncé
Should win: Beyoncé

Best New Artist nominees:

Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechi
Khruangbin
Raye
Chappell Roan
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Here, we have a number of exceptional musical talents that might shape the industry for many years. In truth, this could be one of the most talented groups in their category in quite some time. However, it’s largely a battle between Carpenter and Roan.

Will win: Carpenter
Should win: Roan

Best Rock Album nominees:

Happiness Bastards – The Black Crowes
Romance – Fontaines D.C.
Saviors – Green Day
TANGK – Idles
Dark Matter – Pearl Jam
Hackney Diamonds – The Rolling Stones
No Name – Jack White

It seems that the Grammy voters might be more accustomed to music genres other than rock, as they may have selected familiar names from their ballot without giving much consideration to newer acts. This doesn’t mean that the nominated records are of poor quality; in fact, many of the artists have been active for quite some time (25 years or more). The academy could have chosen to recognize “best new artist” like Khruangbin, who has been active for over a decade, but they opted not to.

Will win: Rolling Stones
Should win: White

Best Country album nominees:

Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves
Higher – Chris Stapleton
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson

The academy could opt for a more conventional decision and bestow the award upon Musgraves or Stapleton in this particular category. However, Beyoncé’s album is likely to secure a victory in this instance. Some country radio stations may disapprove, but it doesn’t matter either way.