Grammy Nominations Announced, The Rob’s Predictions

Yesterday shortly after our show ended, the academy that votes on the Grammy Awards released this year's nominations.  Beyonce leads the pack with nine nominations, followed by Rihanna, Drake, and Kanye West, all of whom have eight nominations.  I'm actually somewhat proud of the Academy this year as I think they actually did a really solid job of putting their nominations together.  While I obviously don't agree with them 100%, I agree with them more this year than in most previous years.

So anyway, here is a list of the awards that KISS listeners care about, followed by my predictions for each award!

Album of the Year:

"25", Adele

"Lemonade", Beyoncé

"Purpose", Justin Bieber

"Views", Drake

"A Sailor's Guide to Earth",Sturgill Simpson

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: While I greatly prefer Adele's "25," I feel like the academy will choose the overrated "Lemonade" album from Beyonce.  While I don't think Beyonce is overrated, I think "Lemonade" is.

Record of the Year:

"Hello", Adele

"Formation", Beyoncé "

7 Years", Lukas Graham

"Work", Rihanna featuring Drake

"Stressed Out", Twenty One Pilots

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: Adele all the way.  If she doesn't win, she's a victim of timing as her song is significantly older than any other song in this category.  It will be SIXTEEN months old by the time the Grammy Awards role around on February 12th, 2017.

Song of the Year:

"Formation", Beyoncé

"Hello", Adele

"I Took a Pill in Ibiza", Mike Posner

"Love Yourself", Justin Bieber

"7 Years", Lukas Graham

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: I think Adele should win everything she's nominated for, but this one is tough to call.  It wouldn't shock me to see Beyonce or even Lukas Graham (who got a strange amount of love from the Academy this year) win this particular category.  I don't see Justin Bieber or Mike Posner winning, however.

Best New Artist:

Kelsea Ballerini

The Chainsmokers

Chance the Rapper

Maren Morris

Anderson Paak

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: I think any outcome other than The Chainsmokers will be a miscarriage of justice.

Best Pop Vocal Album:

"25", Adele

"Purpose", Justin Bieber

"Dangerous Woman", Ariana Grande

"Confident", Demi Lovato

"This Is Acting", Sia

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: These are GREAT choices this year.  Since Beyonce is not nominated, I'm going with Adele!

Best Pop Solo Performance:

"Hello", Adele

"Hold Up", Beyoncé

"Love Yourself", Justin Bieber

"Piece By Piece (American Idol Version)", Kelly Clarkson

"Dangerous Woman", Ariana Grande

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: Adele's "Hello" is honestly one of the best pop solo performances of ALL TIME...  Let alone 2016!

Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group:

"Closer", The Chainsmokers

"7 Years", Lukas Graham

"Work", Rihanna featuring Drake

"Cheap Thrills", Sia featuring Sean Paul

"Stressed Out", Twenty One Pilots

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: I WANT The Chainsmokers and Halsey to win.  If I had to place a bet, I'd go with Lukas Graham.

Best Rap Song:

"All the Way Up", Fat Joe and Remy Ma featuring French Montana and Infared

"Famous", Kanye West featuring Rihanna

"Hotline Bling", Drake

"No Problem", Chance The Rapper featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz

"Ultralight Beam", Kanye West featuring Chance The Rapper, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, and The-Dream

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: I feel Drake's "Hotline Bling" is the safest bet in this category.

Best Rap Album:

"Coloring Book", Chance the Rapper

"And the Anonymous Nobody", De La Soul

"Major Key", DJ Khaled

"Views", Drake

"Blank Face LP", Schoolboy Q

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: Drake, without a doubt.

Best Rap Performance:

"No Problem", Chance The Rapper featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz

"Panda", Desiigner

"Pop Style", Drake featuring The Throne

"All the Way Up", Fat Joe and Remy Ma featuring French Montana and Infared

"That Part", Schoolboy Q featuring Kanye West

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: This is a tough call.  I don't want to see Desiigner win, but his song had the most cross-over success.  I don't think Fat Joe will take this one.  I'll go with "Pop Style," or potentially "No Problem."

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:

"Freedom", Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Hotline Bling", Drake

"Broccoli", D.R.A.M. featuring Lil Yachty

"Ultralight Beam", Kanye West featuring Chance The Rapper, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, and The-Dream

"Famous", Kanye West featuring Rihanna

THE ROB'S PREDICTION: Another category with solid nominations and a tough category to call.  If I had to place a bet on this, my money is on Drake's "Hotline Bling."