2021 Grammys Predictions
As the first Grammy during the pandemic is approaching, the staff of CommRadio Arts & Entertainment predicts music’s biggest night.
*Nominees in bold are predicted to win in its category
Record of the Year:
“Black Parade” — Beyoncé
“Colors” - Black Pumas
“Rockstar” - DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
“Everything I Wanted” - Billie Eilish
“Don’t Start Now” - Dua Lipa
“Circles” - Post Malone
“Savage” - Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
“Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa is arguably one of the biggest singles of the year. The disco-pop reinvention of Lipa resulted in one of the biggest single and best selling albums of the year. Lipa is definitely the front runner for Record of the Year.
Album of the Year:
“Chilombo” - Jhené Aiko
“Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition)” - Black Pumas
“Everyday Life” - Coldplay
“Djesse Vol.3” - Jacob Collier
“Women in Music Pt. III” - HAIM
“Future Nostalgia” - Dua Lipa
“Hollywood’s Bleeding” - Post Malone
“folklore” - Taylor Swift
As one of the most influential albums of 2020, “folklore” by Taylor Swift is the most likely winner of this category. Swift’s indie/alternative pop record is one of the singer’s best releases to date and garnered universal acclaim from both critics and audiences.
Song of the Year:
“Black Parade” - Beyoncé
“The Box” - Roddy Ricch
“cardigan” - Taylor Swift
“Circles” - Post Malone
“Don’t Start Now” - Dua Lipa
“Everything I Wanted” - Billie Eilish
“I Can’t Breathe” - H.E.R.
“If the World Was Ending” - Julia Michaels & JP Saxe
As an award that celebrates the songwriter, Song of the Year should go to one of pop’s most prominent songwriters, Taylor Swift. Swift has been nominated in this category four times yet she has never won. Since Swift has always been known for writing her own music, it is only logical for her to take home this award with “cardigan,” a song full of long lost love, heartbreaking metaphors and imageries.
Best New Artist:
Ingrid Andress
Phoebe Bridgers
Chika
Noah Cyrus
D Smoke
Doja Cat
Kaytranada
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion dominated 2020 with her hits songs such as “Savage ft. Beyoncé” and “WAP” with Cardi B. Even though Doja Cat is also a likely winner, Stallion made an arguably bigger impact in 2020 and is still making hit songs in 2021.
Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Yummy” - Justin Bieber
“Say So” - Doja Cat
“Everything I Wanted” - Billie Eilish
“Don’t Start Now” - Dua Lipa
“Watermelon Sugar” - Harry Styles
“Cardigan” - Taylor Swift
Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” dominated the charts in terms of longevity and popularity. Billie Eilish would be a strong contender, but since she swept the Grammys last year, Lipa will most likely take the award home. However, it won’t be a surprise if the award got nabbed by Taylor Swift or Harry Styles with his summer hit, “Watermelon Sugar.”
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Un Dia (One Day)” J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
“Intentions” — Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo
“Dynamite” — BTS
“Rain on Me” — Lady Gaga With Ariana Grande
“exile” — Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver
“exile” by Taylor Swift and Bon Iver is one of the most popular songs off of “folklore” despite being a single. The heart-wrenching duet shows off Swift and Iver’s electrifying vocal chemistry and both of their songwriting. “Rain on Me” would’ve been the likely winner, but since Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande won’t be performing or attending the Grammys, it is safe to assume that the song won’t win. The Grammys might pull a surprise by giving it to BTS, however, “Dynamite” is not the group’s most popular or best song in their discography.
Best Pop Vocal Album:
“Changes” — Justin Bieber
“Chromatica” — Lady Gaga
“Future Nostalgia” — Dua Lipa
“Fine Line” — Harry Styles
“Folklore” — Taylor Swift
Both Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa have dominated the charts with their albums and these two are the front runners for the award. Swift could take home her second Best Pop Vocal Album since “1989,” and Lipa could receive her first award in the category.
Jimmy (Chien-Hsing) Lu is a senior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jfl5603@psu.edu
