Grammys 2021 Guide: Who Should, Will, and Can Win the Gramophone?
Written by: Daffa Adra Ghifari — Music Director
Back in January right after the deadline of the 63rd Grammy Awards final round voting process, the ceremony was announced to be postponed until March 14th, 2021. In a recent interview via Rolling Stones with the show’s producer, Ben Winston, the Music’s Biggest Night was postponed as “…American morale was at a low point in January — between political insurrection, an impeachment trial, and Covid-19 running rampant in Los Angeles — and it “didn’t feel right” to put the show on in the middle of that.” Fast forward to March, the 63rd Grammy Awards is just around the corner coming off to be another historical night in the music industry.
The initial reception for the ongoing Grammy Awards was met with several backlashes. The main focal point was The Weeknd’s global smash hit “Blinding Lights” and its parent album After Hours, being completely shut out from the nominees despite being one of the most commercially successful records in 2020. Many (including the singer himself) deemed the Recording Academy was corrupt for snubbing the three-time Grammy Winner — backed by Deborah Dugan’s January 2020 Grammy controversy. However, in contrast of the snubs, some were celebrating consequential first-time nominations for artists like BTS and Harry Styles.
As people may or may have not known, the Grammy Award is the most prestigious award in the music industry rewarded by the Recording Academy. Often times, Grammy wins correlate with commercial success. However, in fact the award is voted by thousands of members of the Recording Academy. Voting process of the initially-called Gramophone Awards is classified as rather complex. Songs and albums had to undergo multiple screening and voting processes — voting for nominations and voting for the winner. Within the span of the long course, nominated musicians are very likely to book multiple promotion slots in order to gather more votes — basically campaigning.
Maneuvering from the lengthy voting process, the nominations for the 63rd Grammy Awards have been up and about circulating the internet. Who will win and who should win the golden trophies? Check out my personal opinion on how the Music’s Biggest Night should and will be going.
General Field
Record of the Year
“Black Parade” — Beyoncé
“Colors” — Black Pumas
“Rockstar” — DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Say So” — Doja Cat
“Everything I Wanted” — Billie Eilish
“Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
“Circles” — Post Malone
“Savage” — Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé
By being the most competitive category on almost every ceremony, you would’ve expected Record of the Year to have such cutthroat competition within the songs. On the other hand, the reality doesn’t speak for itself as the nomination narrowed down to these 8 songs. Last year’s winner Billie Eilish might not take the award for a second consecutive year, for a more toned-down song than the explosively sickening “Bad Guy”. Beyoncé might be having a vote split by being nominated twice in the same category (although we shouldn’t count her out). Within the 8 songs, one particular song stands out by having a trendy 80s retro-inspired sound which can be taken seriously yet mindlessly. It was no other than “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa.
The infectious nu-disco lead single of its parent album Future Nostalgia with distinctive instruments leads the 80’s trend sound to make new splashes in the music industry — along with the snubbed “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. On top of that, Dua Lipa is one of the few artists that campaigned devotedly throughout the voting season, with online concerts and many virtual performances. By having a catchy record with a level of depth in overall production, this award should be Lipa’s to take home. However, I can see Megan Thee Stallion might be a dark horse with the fierce smash “Savage” (shoutout to Queen B’s fiery rap).
Who will win? “Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
Who should win? “Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
Who can win? “Savage” — Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
Album of the Year
Chilombo — Jhené Aiko
Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition) — Black Pumas
Everyday Life — Coldplay
Djesse Vol. 3 — Jacob Collier
Women in Music Pt. III — Haim
Future Nostalgia — Dua Lipa
Hollywood’s Bleeding — Post Malone
Folklore — Taylor Swift
The year 2020 may be one of the worst that we all have experienced with tremendous amount of restrictions due to the pandemic. During one of the worst times, Taylor Swift decided to put out a whole new album by surprise just a day before its release. In result, folklore was met with astonishing reception commercially and critically (mainly noting Swift’s departure from her autobiographical-style of writing). Notably, Swift held huge momentum with the recent release of documentary explaining the songwriting of every single song on folklore and the release of its sister album, evermore.
While “folklore” might go down as the album of lockdown, its close rival to win Album of the Year can be called the disco album of quarantine. Yes, it’s Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. The sophomore 80’s inspired record from Lipa — which is not as successful, actually — might appeal more to the Pop and Dance demographics that just want to listen without much needing of lyrics understanding. Other than Swift and Lipa, the infamous never-charting album Djesse Vol. 3 might also take home the award. Jacob Collier might be unknown to most of the public, but he’s the mentee of a respectful name within the Recording Academy, Quincy Jones (28-time Grammy Winner). Notably, Collier had been receiving supports from contemporary acclaimed musicians including H.E.R. and Lizzo. Although there are just-good albums listed like Chilombo and Everyday Life the soft-rock Women in Music Pt.III is actually an immaculate record to win. However, by not bagging any other nominations HAIM might be a weak shot.
Who will win? Folklore — Taylor Swift
Who should win? Folklore — Taylor Swift
Who can win? Future Nostalgia — Dua Lipa or Djesse Vol. 3 — Jacob Collier
Song of the Year
“Black Parade” performed by Beyoncé
“The Box” performed by Roddy Ricch
“Cardigan” — performed by Taylor Swift
“Circles” performed by Post Malone
“Don’t Start Now” performed by Dua Lipa
“Everything I Wanted” — performed by Billie Eilish
“I Can’t Breathe” performed by H.E.R.
“If the World Was Ending” performed by JP Saxe & Julia Michaels
Here’s the deal, it might be a little unbeknown information that Song of the Year category is awarded to songwriters for songwriting. The lyrics, melodies, and other aspects are taken into consideration. Among the nominees, Taylor Swift has always been known as a singer-songwriter. While she recently won “Songwriter of the Year” award on Apple Music, ironically enough, the “Love Story” singer has never won a single Song of the Year nomination. The beautifully-crafted story of young love alternative-folk track “cardigan” is taking this one in an ideal world.
Even so, the category’s name confusion has led to 32 songs winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year category in each respective years. Accordingly, it might be more possible for Dua Lipa to have another triumph in this category for “Don’t Start Now”. Notably, Lipa’s track seemed to be a bigger hit than “cardigan” with trendier sound that might be easier on the ears for common listeners. Furthermore, the year 2020 might be remembered as the year of racial tragedy. Powerful statement songs “Black Parade” and “I Can’t Breathe” might gather victory due to its strong messages related to the agony on the Grammys night.
Who will win? “Don’t Start Now” performed by Dua Lipa
Who should win? “Cardigan” performed by Taylor Swift
Who can win? “Black Parade” — Beyoncé or “I Can’t Breathe” — H.E.R.
Best New Artist
Ingrid Andress
Phoebe Bridgers
Chika Noah Cyrus
D Smoke
Doja Cat
Kaytranada
Megan Thee Stallion
Past winners of Best New Artist might have been seen as the most successful out of the bunch while in fact this category had been tricky once in a while. Not only commercial success, nominees also must ensure the Recording Academy on the quality of their music. Within the eight names, the list can be toned down into the major three: Phoebe Bridgers, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion. These three women have been actually garnering recognition for their presence in their own ways. Bridgers is a solid contender as proven by her sophomore effort “Punisher”, an epic journey of a folk-tronica album. Although she won’t likely win, her path could actually be similar to the 2012 Best New Artist triumphant — Bon Iver, whom upsets the then-favorite Nicki Minaj. Female rapper sensations, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, have accumulated multiple remarkable hits throughout the past year. While being in the same league, Megan Thee Stallion seems to be having an edge for a win with the momentum of her Good News album release, along with the hit singles “WAP” and “Savage”.
Who will win? Megan Thee Stallion
Who should win? Megan Thee Stallion
Who can win? Phoebe Bridgers or Doja Cat
Genre-specified Categories
Best Alternative Music Album
Fetch the Bolt Cutters — Fiona Apple
Hyperspace — Beck
Punisher — Phoebe Bridgers
Jaime — Brittany Howard
The Slow Rush — Tame Impala
Brimmed with stellar projects, the Grammys for this one should be handed out to Fiona Apple with her fifth once-in-a-blue-moon release. Despite Apple’s lack of technological knowledge, Fetch the Bolt Cutters break new grounds by being raw, translucent, intimate, and seamless. Nevertheless, the golden trophy might be Bridger’s relieving album or Tame Impala’s escapism record to steal.
Who should win? Fetch the Bolt Cutters — Fiona Apple
Who will win? Fetch the Bolt Cutters — Fiona Apple
Who can win? Punisher — Phoebe Bridgers or The Slow Rush — Tame Impala
Best R&B Performance
“Lightning & Thunder” — Jhené Aiko featuring John legend
“Black “Parade — Beyoncé
“All I Need” — Jacob Collier featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
“Goat Head” — Brittany Howard
“See Me” — Emily King
Three out of five nominees on this category also received nominations for the General Field. Although Aiko and Collier seems to be the new Recording Academy’s favorite, Beyoncé’s “Black Parade” deservingly will and should win the category for being an empowering anthem.
Who should win? “Black “Parade — Beyoncé
Who will win? “Black “Parade — Beyoncé
Who can win? “Lightning & Thunder” — Jhené Aiko featuring John legend or
“All I Need” — Jacob Collier featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
Best Song Written for Visual Media
“Beautiful Ghosts” (from Cats) performed by Taylor Swift
“Carried Me with You” (from Onward) performed by Brandi Carlile
“Into the Unknown” (from Frozen II) performed by Idina Menzel
“No Time to Die” (from No Time to Die) performed by Billie Eilish
“Stand Up” (from Harriett) performed by Cynthia Erivo
For being latched into such an atrocious movie, I’m actually surprised that “Beautiful Ghosts” managed to snatch a nomination. In spite of that, the category narrows to two possible winners either from a blockbuster animated musical (Frozen II) or a movie that had been postponed (somewhat) indefinitely. But it was clear that last year’s sweeper Billie Eilish will win this one.
Who should win? “No Time to Die” (from No Time to Die) performed by Billie Eilish
Who will win? “No Time to Die” (from No Time to Die) performed by Billie Eilish
Best Music Video
“Brown Skin Girl” — Beyoncé
“Life is Good” — Future featuring Drake
“Lockdown” — Anderson .Paak
“Adore You” — Harry Styles
“Goliath” — Woodkid
Meaningful cinematic messages can have somewhat solid chance to win. Yes, I’m calling “Brown Skin Girl” and “Lockdown”, if only there were to bigger hits in the category. Best Music Video is either down to “Life is Good” or “Adore You”. However, the British singer’s chance is more likely for taking the purpose of music video more seriously.
Who should win? “Brown Skin Girl” — Beyoncé
Who will win? “Adore You” — Harry Styles
Who can win? “Brown Skin Girl” — Beyoncé or “Lockdown” — Anderson .Paak
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff
Dan Auerbach
Dave Cobb
Flying Lotus
Andrew Watt
Being snubbed for a win last year, Jack Antonoff is nominated again but this time his chances grew stronger. The member of Fun helped Taylor Swift making my predicted Album of the Year, “folklore” and several other immaculate albums including The Chicks and FKA Twigs. His biggest competitor might be the man behind “Future Nostalgia”, Andre Watt. Honestly it’s between the two.
Who should win? Jack Antonoff
Who will win? Jack Antonoff
Who can win? Andrew Watt
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Un Dia (One Day)” — J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
“Intentions” — Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
“Dynamite” — BTS
“Rain on Me” — Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
“Exile” — Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver
Arguably the most hyped-up category of the year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance is one of the most competitive for the 63rd music’s biggest night. Weak nominees Bieber is busy melting down over his record being categorized under Pop over R&B and Dua Lipa’s collaboration barely made noise. On the contrary, the category triplet current A-list stars is up for a fight. Global sensation BTS might be the first ever Korean artist to grab a win with the most successful single out of the bunch. But don’t count out recent Grammy darling’s #1 hit, Lady Gaga’s “Rain on Me”. Out of the 4, the Recording Academy might also pick the only ballad among the nominees which is the non-single “Exile” — the same way “Say Something” and “Shallow” led to victory back in 2015 and 2019 respectively. Not only “Exile” has a stripped-down production with lyrics that came pouring in, the track also featured Bon Iver whom seemed to be a Grammy favorite. However, I’m still betting the global sensation’s historic first win.
Who will win? “Dynamite” — BTS
Who should win? “Exile” — Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver
Who can win? “Rain on Me” — Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande