Friday, February 5, 2016

58th Annual GRAMMY Award Predictions: Taylorpalooza

Via Tumblr

The 58th annual GRAMMY Awards are set to air on February 15 on CBS and the ladies of Information Services are psychedddd. We've taken the time to predict the winners of all the big categories so you don't have to. Fair warning: we're pretty sure Taylor Swift is gonna clean house this year.  

Record of the Year 
"Really Love" D'Angelo and the Vanguard
"Uptown Funk" Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
"Thinking Out Loud" Ed Sheeran
"Blank Space" Taylor Swift
"Can't Feel My Face" the Weeknd

Kate: As cute as Ed Sheeran is, there's no way he's going to trump Swift's infectious hit "Blank Space." Seriously- I bought a shirt that says "I can make the bad guys good for the weekend" on it. Please don't tell anybody.   

Jessica: Any record with the title "Can't Feel My Face" deserves to be Record of the Year. Plus, I love a guy who sounds like MJ and wears hair like Basquiat. 

Jasmin: Taylor’s “Blank Space” music video made the song a huge hit. With over 1 billion views on Vevo, it’s safe to say Taylor is going to win this GRAMMY.  

Album of the Year
"Sound & Color" Alabama Shakes
"To Pimp a Butterfly" Kendrick Lamar
"Traveller" Chris Stapleton
"1989" Taylor Swift
"Beauty Behind the Madness" the Weeknd

Kate: Chris Stapleton is the man. I've known that since 2008 when he was the lead singer and guitarist of the SteelDrivers. His first solo album Traveller was released last year and it's flawless as far as I'm concerned.

Jessica: Taylor Swift's got this one in the bag. I look like her... at least that's what strangers tell me. My mom and I don't see the resemblance, but I'll take it. I chose Taylor out of pure vanity. 

Jasmin: 1989 was THE jam of 2015. No matter what your stance is on Taylor Swift, we can all agree that she killed it with this album.  

Song of the Year 
"Alright" Kendrick Lamar
"Blank Space" Taylor Swift
"Girl Crush" Little Big Town 
"See You Again" Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
"Thinking Out Loud" Ed Sheeran

Kate: Is there a difference between song of the year and record of the year? Can somebody explain that to me? Anyways, "Blank Space" all day (this is not intended to be a Kanye West pun).  

Jessica: If I vote for "Thinking Out Loud", will I seem cool? It seems like the kiddies like him. B96 plays this song on REPEAT, 

Jasmin: Swift managed to make crazy seem alluring and turn comments about being a man eater into a ground breaking hit song with “Blank Space.” Without a doubt Tay wins this round; better luck next time Ed Sheeran!

New Artist
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor

Kate: Being a huge fan of country music, you think I would be supportive of Sam Hunt. But I'm not. His definition of country isn't quite on par with mine, so I'm definitely pulling for Courtney Barnett in this category. Her album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit proved Barnett to be one of the sharpest, most original songwriters around. 

Jessica: Tori Kelly, hands down. And she looks like she could be on the Disney Channel. YAY! 

Jasmin: My hope is that Sam Hunt wins this category. His entire album is phenomenal and if you haven’t heard “Single for the Summer” go pick up Montevallo and be ready to dance.     

Pop Vocal Album 
"Piece by Piece" Kelly Clarkson
"How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" Florence + the Machine
"Uptown Special" Mark Ronson
"1989" Taylor Swift
"Before This World" James Taylor

Kate: Florence + the Machine’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is one of my top five (okay, maybe top ten) albums of 2015. I listened to it religiously on repeat for weeks after its release. Chances are good, however, that Taylor Swift will walk away with this award.

Jessica: I’m pulling for How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful because Florence has a killer set of lungs....pun intended. I love a great melody and this album provides a lot of them.

Jasmin: I really hope Florence + the Machine wins this one. Welch needs to be recognized for her haunting music and strong vocals. Still -Taylor Swift will probably win this award. Sigh. 

Rap Album
"2014 Forest Hills Drive" J. Cole
"Compton" Dr. Dre
"If Youre Reading This Its Too Late" Drake
"To Pimp a Butterfly" Kendrick Lamar
"The Pinkprint" Nicki Minaj

Kate: If it were up to me, Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick would share this GRAMMY. Almost like how Cady Herron, Regina George, and Gretchen Weiners shared the Spring Fling crown in Mean Girls. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner and it’s sure to be To Pimp a Butterfly.   

Jessica: Apparently, I read this a little too late, because I had no idea the name of Drake's latest album. I hope he wins though.

Jasmin: I’m not exactly an expert in this genre, though I’ve heard that Drake’s album is great. Or maybe  Nicki Minaj should win…girl has to represent.

Country Album
"Montevallo" Sam Hunt
"Pain Killer" Little Big Town
"The Blade" Ashley Monroe
"Pageant Material" Kacey Musgraves
"Traveller" Chris Stapleton

Kate: Both Musgraves’ and Monroe’s albums are GRAMMY worthy, there’s no doubt about that. But Chris Stapleton has taken the music world by storm and he’s sure to come out on top this time around.   

Jessica: Little Big Town sang the National Anthem for the NFC championship game....so I think they meet the requirements for releasing the best country album of 2015. Because, honestly, what’s more country than America and football at the same time?

Jasmin: Kacey Musgraves! Pageant Material! This album is fun to listen to and I absolutely love it. Honestly, Sam Hunt might win, but please let it be Kacey.