All nomination lists are taken from the Grammy website.
1. Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.
Likely to win: “God’s Plan” by Drake
Drake had a massive year — arguably the biggest of anybody nominated in the category — and “God’s Plan” was a smash hit. Record of the Year is awarded to a song with the best performance and production, and it is fair to say “God’s Plan” qualifies for both of these things. The Grammys seemed to go for popularity this year.
What should win: “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
There is no denying the influence of hip-hop in pop music, and “All the Stars” is the epitome of combination. Kendrick Lamar and SZA, both extremely talented,young artists, have changed the sound of music from their start to today. Lamar was passed up for Album of the Year last year, so the Grammys may choose to redeem themselves this time.
2. Album Of The Year
Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33 percent playing time of the album, if other than Artist.
Likely to win: Too close to call
This category is wide open. There is no clear frontrunner; Drake’s “Scorpion” spawned massive hits but lacked cohesivity. Post Malone’s “beerbongs & bentleys” was nothing revolutionary or original for him. Could Kacey Musgraves’ “Golden Hour” prevail? This seems like a likely scenario because “Scorpion,” “Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By,” “H.E.R.,” and “Dirty Computer” could all split the Hip Hop or R&B votes, leaving Musgraves
What should win: “Dirty Computer”
Janelle Monae perfectly blends the past, present, and future in her 2018 album “Dirty Computer.” Monae worked with music legends — Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Pharrell Williams to name a few — to create what is widely considered her most impressive work. With mostly lackluster albums from other major artists nominated in this category, it is possible Grammy voters will turn to the impressive “Dirty Computer.”
3. Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.
Likely to win: “Shallow”
“Shallow” represents the typical song of the year: slow, vocally challenging, and written by an established Grammy favorite. While it is Bradley Cooper’s first nomination, Lady Gaga has won six Grammys, so she will be looking to expand her repertoire with a win for “Shallow.”
What should win: “This Is America”
Packaged with a viral music video which critiques the racial and political climate of 2018, “This Is America” was a cultural juggernaut which — with its masterful writing and production — deserves a win in “Song of the Year,” however, it is unclear whether the Grammys are willing to leave their traditional ways.
4. Best New Artist
An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.
Likely to win: Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa had the biggest year commercially of anybody in this category. Her smash hit “New Rules” peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her follow-up single “IDGAF” also peaked in the top 50. Throughout the course of 2018, Dua Lipa solidified her stance in pop music and became a commonly-known name.
Who should win: Chloe X Halle
Signed to Parkwood Entertainment — Beyoncé’s record label — these twin-sister-musical-prodigies have an immense artistic potential. They released their first album, “The Kids Are Alright,” in March. Though it went largely unnoticed by the general public, “The Kids Are Alright” received positive reviews from critics.