Another year another Scammys.
Though many have tried to discredit the Recording Academy’s relevancy, as the awards program is never short on controversy, I do love the Grammy Awards. Music is so subjective, but it’s so personal. It’s not like the Oscars where actors are praised for a single performance in one movie. Musicians have so much ownership of their art, and it is so inspiring to see artists reward for music that they’ve dedicated so much time to, music that they’ll perform for years to come.
I can honestly say I feel way more knowledgeable about this year’s nominees, many of them are my favorite artists who released some of their best work within the last year.
But there are still some egregious snubs this year. Namely controversy of The Weeknd’s After Hours being shut out likely because of his plan to perform at CBS’s other big event, the Super Bowl. It seems silly, now that the ceremony is being held in March, weeks after the big game. That aside, the album dominated the charts and media last year. And sure, the Grammy’s aren’t about the charts but Abel is no Tik Tok artist with fluke success.
JoJo’s Good To Know also was shut out, despite being a solid R&B album. I will also add, The Chick’s comeback album, Gaslighter, was a fun, and fresh endeavor for the group that has moved away from being a country artist and is now straddling the folk/singer-songwriter genre.
But understanding what makes a genre is at the root of the issue of the Grammys. Because really WHAT DEFINES A GENRE? Justin Bieber meltdown for his “R&B” album being labeled as a pop album fueled the long-running debate of what is R&B? The purists favor the Ari Lennox of the world over the girlies like Lizzo who may straddle the line between pop and R&B. As pop starts to get back to its roots and away from the pseudo-rap and EDM heavy hold it’s been stuck in for the past few years, even that genre isn’t black and white. One could argue, Taylor’s Swift return to her roots album Folklore leans towards her country roots more than her previous entries into the pop category. Genres, in my opinion, are in the eye of the artist. If Biebs wants to go up against R&B heavyweights, and fail, he should have the right.
Genre issues aside, this does feel like a more well-rounded list of nominees. Maybe it’s because the normal push of album promotion was skewed. Big award show moments, hearing songs on the radio or in restaurants were scarce. So it does feel like the best of the industry was nominated over the influence of oversaturation. So I’m excited to see some truly talented artists walk away with awards that have long alluded them. Here are my pics from some of my favorite categories.
Record Of The Year
It’s a tough go. With Beyoncé nominated twice. I always considered the Record of The Year award to go to the most unique songs from a production standpoint. I would have to throw it to Doja or Dua Lipa for reigniting the disco sound in mainstream music with fresh production.
Album Of The Year
This category has never been this stacked and well represented across genres. My heart wants to give it to Dua Lipa. To me, she’s been the sleeper hit of the music industry over the past few years. From her Best New Artist win in 2018 and her wins for collaborations in Dance Music, I think she’s been leading to this moment. Future Nostalgia had one of the best rollouts last year, even before the pandemic hit. From “Don’t Start Now’s” late 2019 debut, the visuals with the workout bop “Physical, and the perfectly timed “stay at home” (even if Dula Peep doesn’t) message of “Break My Heart” the album dominated. And not to mention Dua’s ability to pull off live performances with Studio 2054 and her immaculate Tiny Desk At Home show. Dua has PUT IN THE WORK and I will be thrilled with her winning the biggest award of the night.
Honorable Mention to Chilombo and Women In Music PT. III and of course Folklore.
Song Of The Year
It’s hard to discuss this year’s Grammy’s without discussing Taylor Swift. Folklore is arguably her best effort since her decision to turn pop after 2012’s Red, because of its songwriting. “Cardigan” is one of the standouts. With its narrative, and long-form swirly script lyrics. I don’t think anything else can compete.
Best New Artist
Doja or Meg…..or I riot. That’s it.
It will probably be Phoebe Bridgers.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
It should be Rain On Me, but I feel like the BTS Mafia will prevail and it will go to Dynamite.
Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album
I tend to believe the albums/songs that are also nominated in the general categories, are the big contenders in their genre. So that being said, I would have to give it to Dula Peep, even though I think Mr. Styles’s “Watermelon Sugar” is a better vocal performance in comparison Dua’s entry “Don’t Stop Now”. And his fans deserve the flex of stanning a Grammy winner in my opinion.
Best R&B Performance
I would lose it if my top choice, “Lightening and Thunder” by Jhene Aiko and John took home the trophy. I think this entry is the best appeals to the classic R&B bops of the 90s and 00s, while bringing something fresh to the table.
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Speaking of bringing something fresh, I think it’s difficult to imagine Chloe and Halle not winning anything for Ungoldly Hour. And yes, “Wonder What She Thinks Of Me” is my favorite track from the album, but I also think it is the track to show there’s a place for younger artists in the Traditional R&B field, that has long been dominated by seasoned vets.
Best R&B Song
The odds are stacked in H.E.R.’s favor, but I still leaning towards “Do It” because just like WWSTOM, “Do It” was the quintessential R&B track of 2020, bridging together fans of the genre and making waves in the mainstream. Look Chloe and Halle didn’t perform from their tennis court for no reason this summer.
Best Progressive R&B Album
This revamped category will be interesting. Previous winners have been artists who leaned into what many consider “mainstream” R&B. Chilombo had some standout moments and is the only album from the category nominated for Album of The Year, which makes me think it will pull this one out. And it should. Jhené has birthed a lot of daughters in this genre and it’s time to reward her.
Best Rap Performance
The other day, the “Savage” Remix came on shuffle like it has countless times since it’s released. And it dawned on me…..THIS IS IMMACULATE. Like we expect bars for Meg, but for Bey, the OG of rap-singing to switch her flow so many times, and still sing??? No, this song deserves EVERYTHING.
Best Melodic Rap Performance
“Laugh Now, Cry Later” is an easy Grammy grab. It has a catchy hook and does play very much like a pop song with a sprinkle of rap (I also say the line “surround Drake around Dracs” quietly to myself way too often.) But I would to see Stormi’s daddy take the award. But I still feel like Travis is too ahead of his time to pull this one out.
What are your Grammy picks? Haven’t heard of any of these songs (is everything okay?) ? Check out my Scammy’s Playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.
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