2014 Grammy Nominees and Predictions

Tonight is the night when we crown artists as “Grammy Winners,” a status that can never be taken away. If you will be watching, make sure to follow me on Twitter @DJBrianPate for live tweeting and conversation about the festivities this evening.

Leading up to the big event tonight, I have compiled my predictions for 18 of my favorite categories.  My predictions for the winner are under each section.

1.       Record of the Year

·         Daft Punk- Get Lucky

·         Imagine Dragons- Radioactive

·         Lorde- Royals

·         Bruno Mars- Locked Out Of Heaven

·         Robin Thick- Blurred Lines

Brian’s Prediction:  There is a reason Bruno Mars has been chosen to entertain at the Super Bowl this year.  That event reaches millions of people and he will be tops in this category.  Imagine Dragons would be my second choice.

2.       Album of the Year

·         Sara Bareilles- The Blessed Unrest

·         Daft Punk- Random Access Memories

·         Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City

·         Macklemore and Ryan Lewis- The Heist

·         Taylor Swift- Red

Brian’s Prediction: Sara Bareilles could be a surprise here, but I am going to go with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

3.       Song of the Year

·         Pink- Just Give Me A Reason

·         Katy Perry- Roar

·         Lorde- Royals

·         Bruno Mars- Locked Out Of Heaven

·         Macklemore and Ryan Lewis- Same Love

Brian’s Prediction:  My favorite of these is Pink’s, “Just Give Me A Reason,” but I think Lorde takes this one.

4.       Best New Artist

·         Kendrick Lamar

·         James Blake

·         Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

·         Kacey Musgraves

·         Ed Sheeran

Brian’s Prediction:  I think Kendrick Lamar walks away with this one as the Grammys tries to spread some love around to different performers this year.

5.       Best Pop Solo Performance

·         Sara Bareilles- Brave

·         Lorde- Royals

·         Bruno Mars- When I Was Your Man

·         Katy Perry- Roar

·         Justin Timberlake- Mirrors

Brian’s Prediction:  Justin Timberlake walks away with this one.  Mirrors was everywhere this year.

6.       Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

·         Daft Punk- Get Lucky

·         Pink f/ Nate Ruess- Just Give Me A Reason

·         Rihanna f/ Mikky Ekko- Stay

·         Robin Thicke f TI & Pharrell- Blurred Lines

·         Justin Timberlake f/ Jay Z- Suit And Tie

Brian’s Prediction:  JT and Jay Z brought if for their performance so I’m leaning that way, but don’t be surprised if Robin Thicke pulls off the upset here.

7.       Best Pop Vocal Album

·         Lana Del Ray- Paradise

·         Lorde- Pure Heroine

·         Bruno Mars- Unorthodox Jukebox

·         Robin Thicke- Blurred Lines

·         Justin Timberlake- The 20/20 Experience- The Complete Experience

Brian’s Prediction:  This is an all star battle between Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake. Bruno Mars escapes with this one though I personally like the 20/20 Experience better.

8.       Best Dance Recording

·         Duke Dumont- Need U (100%)

·         Calvin Harris f Florence Welch- Sweet Nothing

·         Kaskade- Atmosphere

·         Armin Van Buuren f Trevor Guthrie- This Is What It Feels Like

·         Zedd f/ Foxes- Clarity

Brian’s Prediction:  This one will depend on whether the Grammy Awards take into consideration popularity.  Clarity was all over the radio this year while Sweet Nothing was a big hit on the club side.  My personal favorite is Calvin Harris and Florence Welch and Florence has Grammy chops so I’m going with “Sweet Nothing.”

9.       Best Rock Performance

·         Alabama Shakes- Always Alright

·         David Bowie- The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

·         Imagine Dragons- Radioactive

·         Led Zeppelin- Kashmir

·         Queens Of The Stone Age- My God Is The Sun

·         Jack White- I’m Shakin’

Brian’s Prediction:  Jack White always gets a ton of critical acclaim, but I’m going with Imagine Dragons here.

10.   Best Rock Album

·         Black Sabbath- 13

·         David Bowie- The Next Day

·         Kings of Leon- Mechanical Bull

·         Led Zeppelin- Celebration Day

·         Queens Of The Stoneage- …Like Clockwork

·         Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse- Psychedelic Pill

Brian’s Prediction:  This category has a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame feel to it with Black Sabbath, Bowie and Neil Young all in here but I think Kings Of Leon will pull the upset.

11.   Best R&B Performance

·         Tamar Braxton- Love And War

·         Anthony Hamilton- Best Of Me

·         Hiatus Kaiyote f/ Q-Tip- Nakamarra

·         Miguel f/ Kendrick Lamar- How Many Drinks

·         Snarky Puppy w/ Lalah Hathaway-  Something

Brian’s Prediction:  This one is probably a runaway for Miguel and Kendrick Lamar.

12.   Best Rap Performance

·         Drake- Started From The Bottom

·         Eminem- Berzerk

·         Jay Z- Tom Ford

·         Kendrick Lamar- Swimming Pools (Drank)

·         Macklemore f/ Ryan Lewis- Thrift Shop

Brian’s Prediction:  As much hype as there has been around Eminem this year with his appearance on college football, I just don’t see “Berzerk” as a Grammy Winner.  Jay Z has the star power, but even grandmothers were singing, “I’m gonna pop some tags, only got $20 in my pocket…”  all year long.  Give this one to “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

13.   Best Rap Album

·         Drake- Nothing Was The Same

·         Jay Z- Magna Carta…Holy Grail

·         Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City

·         Macklemore f/ Ryan Lewis- The Heist

·         Kanye West- Yeezus

Brian’s Prediction:  I am not a Kanye fan but he does get a lot of love from the critics.  If h doesn’t take it, look for Jay Z or Drake to take this one.  This one may be the most unpredictable of all Grammy categories.

14.   Best Country Solo Performance

·         Lee Brice- I Drive Your Truck

·         Hunter Hayes- I Want Crazy

·         Miranda Lambert- Mama’s Broken Heart

·         Darius Rucker- Wagon Wheel

·         Blake Shelton- Mine Would Be You

Brian’s Prediction:  Lee Brice’s tune, “I Drive Your Truck” sent tears streaming down faces when people heard it for the first time.  It is well deserving of the Grammy nod and it gets mine.

15.   Best Country Duo/Group Performance

·         The Civil Wars- From This Valley

·         Kelly Clarkson f/ Vince Gill- Don’t Rush

·         Little Big Town- Your Side Of The Bed

·         Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban- Highway Don’t Care

·         Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton- You Can’t Make Old Friends

Brian’s Prediction:  I would love to see Kenny Rogers win another Grammy Award but I think the power of McGraw, Swift and Urban is going to be tough for Grammy voters to not give them the award.

16.   Best Country Song

·         Taylor Swift- Begin Again

·         Lee Brice- I Drive Your Truck

·         Miranda Lambert- Mama’s Broken Heart

·         Kacey Musgraves- Merry Go ‘Round

·         Blake Shelton- Mine Would Be You

Brian’s Prediction:  My 9 year old daughter would vote for Taylor Swift in a heartbeat.  My vote goes to Lee Brice.

17.   Best Musical Theater Album

·         Kinky Boots

·         Matilda: The Musical

·         Motown The Musical

Brian’s Prediction:  I love Broadway Theater and all of these receive Tony Award nominations for one reason or another, but this is all about music.  I don’t think there is any better music than the Motown era and that is why Motown The Musical will walk away with the Grammy here.

18.   Best Music Video

·         Capital Cities- Safe And Sound

·         Jay Z- Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film

·         Macklemore f/ Ryan Lewis- Can’t Hold Us

·         Justin Timberlake f/ Jay Z- Suit And Tie

·         Jack White- I’m Shakin’

Brian’s Prediction:  I’m never good at predicting this category so the question is, who do I jinx this year?  I love the use of black and white in the Suit and Tie video so that is where my vote will go.

Hit me up on Twitter @DJBrianPate and let me know who your choices are!