2016 Grammy Awards Predictions

February 10, 2016
The countdown has begun for the most anticipated night in music: the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Monday, February 15th, millions of people will tune in to see which artists will take home a coveted golden record player. There are over 70 categories with plenty of potential nominees, all of which I have narrowed down to the 34 most important categories, each with the artist(s) I believe will take home the gold. These predictions are based off of the overall skill, appeal, and popularity of the song/artist/album/performance/etc.
Record of the Year
“Really Love” by D’Angelo and the Vanguard
Album of the Year
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Song of the Year
“Blank Space” by Taylor Swift
Best New Artist
James Bay
Best Pop Solo Performance
“Blank Space” by Taylor Swift
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Shadows in the Night by Bob Dylan
Best Pop Vocal Album
Uptown Special by Mark Ronson
Best Dance Record
“Never Catch Me” by Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar
Best Dance/Electronic Record
“Our Love” by Caribou
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Sylva by Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest
Best Rock Performance
“Don’t Wanna Fight” by Alabama Shakes
Best Metal Performance
“Cirice” by Ghost
Best Rock Song
“Don’t Wanna Fight” by Alabama Shakes
Best Rock Album
Chaos and the Calm by James Bay
Best Alternative Music Album
Currents by Tame Impala
Best R&B Performance
“Breathing Underwater” by Hiatus Kaiyote
Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Little Ghetto Boy” by Lalah Hathaway
Best R&B Song
“Really Love” by D’Angelo and the Vanguard
Best Urban Contemporary Album
“Ego Death” by The Internet
Best R&B Album
Black Messiah by D’Angelo and the Vanguard
Best Rap Performance
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar
Best Rap/Sung Performance
“These Walls” by Kendrick Lamar featuring Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat
Rap Song
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar
Best Rap Album
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Best Country Solo Performance
“Little Toy Guns” by Carrie Underwood
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Girl Crush” by Little Big Town
Best Country Song
“Girl Crush” by Little Big Town
Best Country Album
Pain Killer by Little Big Town
Best Improvised Jazz Solo
“Cherokee” by Christian McBride
Best Vocal Jazz Album
Jamison by Jamison Ross
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Covered: Recorded Live at Capitol Studios by Robert Glasper and the Robert Glasper Trio
Best Music Video
“L$D” by A$ap Rocky
Best Music Film
The Wall by Roger Waters