A&E’s 2020 Grammy Predictions

The Grammys are undoubtedly the biggest night in the music industry. Every year the most influential artists of the year attend the show while millions watch from home. Winners are chosen by the Academy’s voting members, similar to the Oscars’ voting process. In recent years, the public has frequently been outraged after seeing the results, believing that the wrong winners were picked. Nonetheless, almost 20 million people tune in every year with their own predictions of who the winners will be, anticipating the outcome. Here are A&E’s predictions for the 2020 Grammys!

Record of the Year

Hey, Ma by Bon Iver

Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

7 Rings by Ariana Grande

Hard Place by H.E.R.

Talk by Khalid

Old Town Road by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus (predicted winner)

Truth Hurts by Lizzo

Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee

As his first single ever, Lil Nas X took two highly incompatible genres, rap and country, and combined them to make one of the biggest songs of all time. “Old Town Road” charted the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 19 weeks, making it one of the most beloved songs of the year. The trap background music alongside a deep country tone makes this song the first of its kind. The song gained mass attention when it became a success on the popular app Tik Tok and was used for dancing, leading it to reach meme status. As the meme blew up and a remix was released featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, it became a smash hit.

Album of the Year

I, I by Bon Iver

Norman F***ing Rockwell! by Lana Del Rey (predicted winner)

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? by Billie Eilish

Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande

I Used To Know Her by H.E.R.

7 by Lil Nas X

Cuz I Love You by Lizzo

Father Of The Bride by Vampire Weekend

Lana Del Rey’s fifth studio album was highly anticipated and has left fans and critics extremely satisfied. As her best and most mature album by far, Del Rey portrays her outlook on Hollywood and romance through her recurring haunting and melancholic sound. She also reflects on the drastic change in America and puts her own sarcastic commentary on the modified social norms. Released the day before the Grammy nomination cut-off, Del Rey’s album was close to not even receiving a nomination. With the involvement of Jack Antonoff, a man known to carry musicians to Grammy success, the production and songwriting of her album have granted it to be the front-runner of this category.

Song of the Year

Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga

Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

Bring My Flowers Now by Tanya Tucker

Hard Place by H.E.R.

Lover by Taylor Swift (predicted winner)

Norman F***ing Rockwell by Lana Del Rey

Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi

Truth Hurts by Lizzo

Taylor Swift is highly acclaimed for her songwriting, and Lover is an excellent example of her full potential. Throughout the whole song, Swift expresses her love for her long-time boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. She winds down in the bridge by emulating a wedding speech with heartfelt lyrics. The lyrics transport the audience into Swift’s world, making you feel what she feels. Swift’s passion and admiration for love are beautifully displayed through her words. This love song takes listeners on the journey of falling in love through Swift’s story-telling and vulnerability in a highly descriptive manner.

Best New Artist

Black Pumas

Billie Eilish (predicted winner)
Lil Nas X

Lizzo

Maggie Rogers

Rosalía

Tank and the Bangas

Yola

As the youngest, and arguably the most successful artist in this category, Billie Eilish has continued to garner new fans and climb up the charts. Eilish’s soft tone and dark melodies are eerie, yet calming at the same time. Eilish speaks on the issues of the new generation, creating songs relatable songs for teenagers like her. Her fluidity and individuality as an artist make her different from many other singers in this category.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Boyfriend by Ariana Grande

Sucker by Jonas Brothers

Old Town Road by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus (predicted winner)

Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee

Señorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello

The already big “Old Town Road” was made even more popular with the featuring of Billy Ray Cyrus. The unexpected duo of Lil Nas X, a newly discovered soundcloud rapper, and Cyrus, an old-time country singer, brought together two completely different sounds, but the two artists worked surprisingly well together. As a music veteran, Cyrus broadened the audience while Lil Nas X added a youthful touch, garnering a wide range of listeners.

Best Pop Vocal Album

The Lion King: The Gift by Beyoncé

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? by Billie Eilish

Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande (predicted winner)

No. 6 Collaborations Project

Lover by Taylor Swift

Albums with the best vocals are awarded in this category, of which Ariana Grande is the front runner. As last year’s winner, Grande maintains her impressive vocal range from her previous album, “Sweetener,” to “thank u, next,” while exposing her vulnerability to her fans. The album serves as a storybook for Grande’s rough year with songs like “ghostin” reflecting her grief over Mac Miller and her relationship with Pete Davidson. Alongside the lyrical content, the album showed off Grande’s impressive vocals ranges with effortless whistle notes in multiple songs. At her vocal peak, Grande is the true winner of this category.

Best Rap Album

Revenge Of The Dreamers III

Championships by Meek Mill

I Am > I Was by 21 Savage

Igor by Tyler, The Creator (predicted winner)

The Lost Boy by YBN Cordae

As the most unconventional rapper of the decade, Tyler, The Creator steers away from the usual topic of drugs and sex in hip hop and talks about love and heartbreak in Igor. He breaks the boundaries of rap and puts his own unique spin on the genre. The album possess harmonies and soul, making it stand out alongside the other albums in this category. From producing his own beats and writing his own lyrics on the record, Tyler, The Creator is the most deserving of this award.