The Grammy nominations have been released! Beyoncé and Sam Smith were nominated for five awards each. (Logo property of The Recording Academy)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Grammys are coming!
Every year, the music industry honors the best and brightest with the Grammy Awards.
Music icons Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Madonna have all made their marks in the business and earned countless trophies from the Recording Academy!
So, who was nominated for some of the Recording Academy’s greatest awards? Read on to find out…
Sia has been nominated for four Grammy Awards for her hit: “Chandelier.” (Album cover property of Monkey Puzzle Records & RCA Records)
Record of the Year:
“Fancy” by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
“Chandelier” by Sia
“Stay with Me” by Sam Smith
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
“All About The Bass” by Meghan Trainor
This category is way too close to call! All five songs were constant radio hits and played a part of our pop culture conversations this year. However, I may lean towards both “Chandelier” and “Stay with Me” as the last two standing.
Song of the Year:
“Chandelier” by Sia
“Stay with Me” by Sam Smith
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
“All About The Bass” by Meghan Trainor
“Take Me to Church” by Hozier
Both millennials and girl power command one of the most coveted awards in the Recording Academy’s armory. Epic Records chairman LA Reid might unleash a massive PR campaign to get Meghan her first Grammy. However, do not expect Ms. Swift to go down with a fight. But, in reality…I would give this award to either Sia or Sam Smith.
Best New Artist:
Iggy Azalea
Brandy Clark
Bastille
Sam Smith
HAIM
The winners of this category have had either massive success (Adele, Xtina, Carrie Underwood, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend and Maroon 5) or faded into obscurity (Men at Work, Jody Watley and A Taste of Honey). Both Iggy Azalea and Sam Smith have each made strong cases with their massive amount of radio airplay and A-list collaborations (Jennifer Lopez for Iggy; Mary J. Blige for Sam). I would bring out a coin to determine this tiebreaker!
Best Pop Solo Performance:
“All of Me (Live)” by John Legend
“Chandelier” by Sia
“Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
“Happy (Live)” by Pharrell Williams
These five superb singer-songwriters have strong vocals. However, I would give this award to either John Legend or Sia.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Fancy” by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
“A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay
“Say Something” by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
“Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse” by Katy Perry feat. Juicy J
“Say Something” is one of the most powerful tracks I ever heard! It always gives me chills and at times, I have been moved to tears when I listen to this track and I hope this duo gets its first (and for Xtina…her fifth) Grammy.
Barbra Streisand teamed up with a diverse group of A-list vocalists to deliver bold interpretations with her signature tunes. Hopefully, it will win the Traditional Pop Album Award in February. (Album cover property of Sony Music Records)
Best Traditional Pop Album
Cheek to Cheek by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Nostalgia by Annie Lennox
Night Songs by Barry Manilow
Sending You A Little Christmas by Johnny Mathis
Partners by Barbra Streisand
There are two acts that are worthy for this award: Tony and Gaga vs. Babs and an All-Star group of vocalists (Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Blake Shelton, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Michael Buble, Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli)! While the duo might have an advantage with their current PR campaign (appearances on Good Morning America, The View & Christmas at Rockefeller Center), Partners has a lot of incredible musical gems.
Best R&B Performance
“Drunk in Love”-Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
“New Flame”- Chris Brown feat. Usher & Rick Ross
“It’s Your World”- Jennifer Hudson feat. R. Kelly
“Like This”-Ledisi
“Good Kisser”-Usher
It is a Dreamgirls reunion! Expect Beyoncé and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson to be even with voters! However, if the Recording Academy cannot decide between Deena and Effie, expect Usher to grab his ninth Grammy!
Beyoncé’s self-titled album has turned platinum…but will Queen B walk away with some Grammy Awards? (Album cover property of Parkwood Records & Columbia Records)
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Sail Out by Jhene Aiko
Beyoncé by Beyoncé
X by Chris Brown
Mali is…by Mali Music
G I R L by Pharrell Williams
Beyonce’s self-titled album broke the Internet and iTunes when it was released in November 2013! While she may dominate this category, The Voice coach’s G I R L is filled with ear candy-laced tracks that could be the dark horse in this year.
Best Rap Album
The New Classic by Iggy Azalea
Because the Internet by Childish Gambino
Nobody’s Smiling by Common
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem
Oxymoron by ScHoolboy Q
Blacc Hollywood by Wiz Khalifa
As much as I loved The Marshall Mathers LP 2, 2014 has been Iggy Azalea’s year! Ever since I saw her perform at the 2012 Dancefestopia, I knew that she was destined for superstardom. “Fancy” and “Black Widow” have been playing constantly on the radio since The New Classic was released earlier this year and I think that could sway voters.
Carrie Underwood’s country-Christian track “Something in the Water” could take home a Grammy Award in February. (Album cover property of Arista Nashville & 19 Records)
Best Country Solo Performance
“Give Me Back My Hometown” by Eric Church
“Invisible” by Hunter Hayes
“Automatic” by Miranda Lambert
“Something in the Water” by Carrie Underwood
“Cop Car” by Keith Urban
“Something in the Water” is probably the best Country track of the year! Carrie Underwood’s powerful message about faith could be a quarantine win for the Idol winner.
Who do you think should win? Find out on February 8, when the Grammys air on CBS!
