To me, the Grammy Awards are the least important of all the major awards, or should I say, the Grammys are the worst part about the two-month “awards season” blitz in January and February. By far, the Grammys are actually the most entertaining of the music-awards-shows, but I just think we could generally do with fewer music awards, and the Grammys seem out of place during that space of time where we’re so focused on film and television. Anyway, I didn’t have any real predictions for the 2018 Grammy nominations, because the Grammys are pretty much impossible to predict. There is always a massive amount of f–kery and “seriously tho?” I didn’t come into this with any expectations. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN is getting a lot of Grammy love. The Grammys also adore Childish Gambino/Donald Glover, Lorde, and “Despacito.” I don’t hate it. Some of the major categories (you can see the full nom list here).
Record Of The Year:
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — Jay-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno MarsAlbum Of The Year:
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — Jay-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno MarsSong Of The Year:
“Despacito”
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury & Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)Best New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZABest Pop Solo Performance:
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed SheeranBest Rock Performance:
“You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” — Chris Cornell
“Run” — Foo Fighters
“No Good” — Kaleo
“Go To War” — Nothing MoreBest Alternative Music Album:
Everything Now — Arcade Fire
Humanz — Gorillaz
American Dream — LCD Soundsystem
Pure Comedy — Father John Misty
Sleep Well Beast — The National
Random thoughts… is it just me or did Bruno Mars’ album kind of suck? Like, he aimed for “radio friendly” and it just seems so bland, like pop music made by a committee. I loved Kendrick’s DAMN and I hope he wins all of the Grammys, because that would be justice. I hope Gorillaz win some Grammys too, because Humanz is a great album. And I’m praying for Kesha too, because that song is awesome.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Cardi B got nominated for Kodak Yellow, no?
Bodak Yellow? Yes, in two categories from what I can see.
What no song awards for Taylor? Good those songs were basic.
Pleasantly surprised to see all the love for artists of color AND rap. All of the noms are stellar.
And yea not my favorite Bruno Mars album. Love 24K Magic but he’s had better albums
She didn’t release it in time. It will be considered for next year…
The singles she released were eligible. The album was not
Oh my God, I love Bruno Mars latest. He brought back that old school funk from the 80’s. Versace on the Floor is one of my favorite songs of all time.
So no it didn’t suck, to answer the writer’s question, it just has an 80 old school R&B vibe to it.
I’ll chill in the corner with you. I loved this album. It made me feel all 80s baby nostalgic. And trust me, after the last 2 years, that was a good thing.
I love that Leonard Cohen was nominated. He won’t win (because reasons, although I wish will all my heart he would)…but it’s glorious to see him there. LOVE.
it would be great if The Time performed with him. They’d turn it out
Tay got 2 songwriting noms, one for better man, performed by little big town. Second one for I don’t want to live forever.
Look what you made me do was eligible but did not receive any noms
I like better man and little big town. But the 50 shades song was kinda terrible.
I love Better Man! She was right to give that one away to someone with better vocal abilities.
Even though it sucked I’m shocked LWYMMD wasn’t nominated. Mostly for the name factor and Shake It Off had noms when 1989 wasn’t eligible. Weird that Alessia Cara is up for New Artist. She’s been around for a few years.
HOW did Jay Z ended up with the most nominations? Even more than Kendrick! That album was weak and absolutely did not deserve an AOTY and none of its songs deserved SOTY. Whatever, I just hope Kendrick doesn’t get snubbed again. Also major love for Khalid! He deserves it
No Daniel Cesar?!?!? Sigh….
He’s nominated for best r&b album and peformance for “get you” w kali ulchis
I hope Kesha wins – Praying is a great song , love it!!!
I love that song, so much. And the timing of it all is impeccable, its an anthem for the survivor.
That said, I think Shape of You will win though, its much more ear wormy.
I love it too, although, I also love Million Reasons.
Yes Kesha!!!!! I hope she wins, Praying is such a great song and she deserves it!
I’m with you on Bruno Mars. I always turn down the radio when any of his dry songs come on.
I loved Bruno’s album. He went a different way than other people (90s feel).
Truth.
@Kaiser -Yeah, I’m not with you on Bruno Mars. I actually think this album is the least “radio friendly”. The songs are not typical, catchy format we are used to from Bruno (and maybe that’s why you feel it sucks?) They are definitely Bruno style but are more retro to 70s/80s soul.
I really dig it… I love “That’s What I Like” and “Perm” especially.
Thank you, finally someone who knows and recognize Mars album for what it is. I commented up post before I read your comment. I guess they don’t recognize that old school funk.
One of the best albums of the year and I pray he wins. Sometimes different doesnt mean good but in this case he was great.
I LOVE this album. It’s such great, old-school funk. Perm is easily one of my favourite songs of the year.
V4Real & KatieBo – Love the album too! I just saw him live again and he was amazing! I was on my feet the entire night. It was 2 hours of pure joy!
Speaking of, if you don’t already know, Bruno’s 24K tour TV special is on tomorrow (Wed) night at 10p on CBS.
ugh. . . horrid Lorde got nominated. how is Alessia Cara a “new artist” ? Really?? JayZ??
no Tay Tay non writing noms?
at least they got one thing right!!
I’m also confused on Alessia Cara being nominated as a new artist? She’s been around for well over a year at this point, right?
The new artist category is weird. Bieber was nominated well into his upswing and a few others too. That’s always a headscratcher
Tay Tay’s album wasn’t released in time for consideration. It will be considered for next year’s awards…
I’m all about the Americana nominations this year. Some pretty stellar work there!
Respectfully disagree re Bruno Mars. I loved it and played the shit out of . That said it was clearly a 90’s R&B album. I think you kinda needed to be a Teddy Riley fan, cus a lot of it was straight up Guy.
Yay for Lorde. Her album is amazing.
I’m glad the Grammy’s finally got the memo to show love to hip hop artists. I’m still mad that Beyonce didn’t win this year! I’m rooting for Kendrick, but Lorde will probably win album of the year just because LOL The Weeknd was mostly snubbed, no? And Ed Sheeran?
And yes, Bruno Mars’ album was disappointing. I like the idea of a early 90’s throwback, but the singles were the best songs and I don’t think I can listen to them again with how overplayed they are.
What? No nomination for Carpet Scraps by LeAnn Rimes and Barrell Brown???
I love DAMN. From start to finish!
Grammy is no different than Oscars – stuck in ice age. How are they still relevant?
These nominations are awful. First, where are the women??? Second, Jay is going to get more acclaim for his album than Beyonce did?? Third, most of the songs nominated are pretty awful…. i absolutely cannot believe no nominations for Sam Smith…. like for real, since the grammys stick to popular music, where is the thrill of it all?? Best pop album of the year!