Though the GRAMMYs have gotten it wrong a couple of times in the past, the awards ceremony is still a night all artists, and this eager blogger, anticipate all year. A total of 83 awards will be given out on February 8, 2015, spanning over multiple music genres including pop, rap, country, rock and jazz. Who are the early contenders to receive the prestigious nominations?... Let's breakdown the top four categories of the night: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Album of the Year!
Album of the Year:
Beyonce by Beyonce: Missing the submission deadline for last year's award ceremony, the buzz and critical reception to Beyonce's fifth studio album has not died down. As one of the year's biggest sellers, and the artist's record with the academy in the past, the album is a clear frontrunner for a nomination, as for the win.
Cheek to Cheek by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Her last solo effort, ARTPOP, may have been harshly criticized, but Lady Gaga's jazz collaboration album with the legendary Tony Bennett definitely had people talking in the right ways. Both artists are previous GRAMMY winners, and the academy is often known for their refined taste and judgment.
In the Lonely Hour by Sam Smith: Pegged as a clear Best New Artist nominee this year, Sam Smith also has a shot for the Album of the Year title. Thanks to heartbreaking, personal tracks including "Stay With Me" and "I'm Not the Only One", the British crooner could surprise everyone by rightfully taking home the top prize of the night.
1000 Forms of Fear by Sia: "Chandelier" was everywhere this year, for the song itself and music video, but Sia released a critically acclaimed album with little promotion which focused on her powerhouse vocals and ability to pen beautiful ballads. It wasn't one of the top selling albums this year, but that shouldn't really mean anything.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem: With his most critically-acclaimed release since 2002 to back him up, Eminem could very well represent the rap genre in the Album of the Year category this year. Almost every effort from the artist receives a nomination, and Eminem's return to top form could very well secure a place for him in the running.
Other Possible Contenders:
My Everything by Ariana Grande: With four top ten hits from the album, and a strong positive reception, it's possible to see Miss Grande's name pop up in the category.
x by Ed Sheeran: The well received album featured Sheeran's first top ten hit and had a huge first week of sales. With a collected voice and story-like lyrics, this album is a possibility.
Lazaretto by Jack White: White already received a solo nomination in the category two years ago, so his most recent release could have him representing the rock genre on his own.
Record of the Year (awarded to the performer of the nominated song):
"Happy" by Pharrell Williams: Released last November, time could hurt Williams' chances in this category a little, but his smash hit was everywhere. It remained at the number one position for ten consecutive weeks, sold over six million copies in the U.S. alone and is already considered one of the best-selling singles of all time. Factors are favoring Williams' this year.
"All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor: When originally released this past summer, listeners perceived the pop song as a simple viral trend. However, weeks following, the track by Trainor became a part of pop culture, was number one for eight consecutive weeks and has sold over three million copies today, making the artist a fierce, juicy candidate.
"Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift: A number one debut is no easy task, but Swift accomplished it with her first true "pop" effort. Released only in August, the song has already spent four weeks at number one, sold close to three million copies and triggered a new love for the artist in a new genre. It doesn't hurt that Swift has already taken home numerous awards in the past.
"Stay With Me" by Sam Smith: It may not have reached the number one spot, instead settling for runner-up for two weeks, but Smith's U.S. debut was inescapable. The heartbreaking ballad did the right thing by focusing all attention of the artist's chilling vocal performance without the need for loud and pointless production. Expect to see Smith in the running for sure.
"Fancy" by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX: This hip-hop/electro track spent seven weeks at the number one position and features two breakout artists of 2014, so it has twice the chance of snagging a nomination. With nearly four million copies sold, an already iconic music video and a extremely catchy hook, Iggy and Charli could easily take home the coveted award.
Other Possible Contenders:
"Let It Go" by Idina Menzel or Demi Lovato: It already has an Oscar win, has sold over 3.5 million copies and became a viral hit, why doesn't the Disney song have a chance at being nominated?
"Drunk in Love" by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z: The collaboration wasn't the biggest hit of the year, but it was the parent album's strongest. People love Beyonce, so her single does have a shot.
"Chandelier" by Sia: Another decent hit, but a huge radio staple this year. Sia's gut-wrenching ballad of alcoholism stands a decent chance of receiving a nomination in the category.
Song of the Year (awarded to the songwriters of the nominated song):
"All Of Me" by John Legend: Though tricky since it was released to urban radio in August 2013, but not to contemporary radio till 2014, Legend's beautiful love piece will most likely still receive a songwriting nomination, probably due to a live performance submission. A number one hit with over four million copies sold, this near perfect ballad will be the one to beat.
"Chandelier" by Sia: Though it may struggle with receiving a nomination for Record of the Year, Sia's biggest hit to date should definitely secure a place in the songwriting category. Though listeners initially assumed the track was just another typical pop song, the lyrics painted a somber, darker picture of the artist's real battle with alcoholism. Fingers crossed for Sia.
"Habits (Stay High)" by Tove Lo: Another breakout artist of 2014 has a shot to defeat some heavyweights this year. Tove Lo's debut single is a sad, lyrically-driven piece where the artist chooses to forget about her ex through drugs and alcohol. The song currently sits nicely in Billboard's top five and has sold an impressive two million copies since its release.
"Stay With Me" by Sam Smith: While the sleeper hit does more for Smith's impressive vocal abilities, the songwriting of the track is not to be overlooked. The message of the love song is simple and sweet, it's carried by a top notch hook and it surely resonated with most of its targeted audience. Smith's chances for a nomination are strong, seeing that he actually wrote it.
"Pompeii" by Bastille: Another effort that could face a difficult time due to releasing schedules, Bastille's debut U.S. single was still a smash rock hit and has sold well over three million copies. Clever and original, comparing a love to the unfortunate city, the song became successfully thanks to its well-written lyrics. It could be a long shot, but a nomination is deserved.
Other Possible Contenders:
"Say Something" by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera: A powerful, heartbreaking ballad featuring an already GRAMMY award winner, the song unfortunately may have been forgetten.
"Gypsy" by Lady Gaga: Never released as an official single, though it should have been, Lady Gaga's ballad of travelling the world is a special piece, but definitely a long shot at a nomination.
"Ain't It Fun" by Paramore: It's another long shot, but Paramore most successful song to date is an acclaimed, catchy, carefree effort written about the band's experience of relocating. It's possible.
Best New Artist:
Iggy Azalea: The female hip-hop artist broke records left and right with her number one hit "Fancy" and really put rap on the mainstream map once again. She has been criticized for some artistic choices, but there's no denying that Azalea was the talk of the town all through 2014. She could definitely receive a nomination, and eventually win, this category.
Sam Smith: Smith is the only artist many publications are expecting to receive a nomination in each of the top four categories. The artist has a successful debut album, released a couple of inescapable, beautiful singles and has a voice that could draw the attention of many academy voters this year. Smith is probably the only other "for sure" contender in this unpredictable category.
Tove Lo: The Swedish artist is edgy, unique and a breath of fresh air for the music industry. She released a critically-acclaimed album, one of my personal favorites this year, and is riding the success of her debut single. It is definitely a tight race between the previously mentioned contenders, but Lo has a strong chance of squeezing by for the eventual win as a deserving new artist.
Ariana Grande: She may be on her second studio album, but Grande is strangely eligible this time around for the category and has had a stellar 2014. With two number one albums under her belt, achieving the accomplishment in less than a year, and four top ten hits, academy voters may throw Grande into the category to rightfully compete with for the recognition.
Some country artist: I am not the biggest country fan, however, academy voters usually choose one representative from the country genre to compete. It could be difficult given the status of the other pop candidates, but stranger things have happened in the Best New Artist category. Remember Lady Gaga's omission and Justin Beiber's loss? Sure you do!
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