The Oscars of the music industry are just around the corner, and after last year's surprising results (Arcade Fire winning Album of the Year and Esperanza Spalding winning Best New Artist), everyone is asking the same question: Who will win this year's Grammys?
This year's ceremony will be a bit shorter and different than those of previous years. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) has reduced the number of categories from 109 to 78, eliminating the distinction between male and female categories. However, it still promises to be an exciting night.
Anxiously waiting for Sunday's awards, I prepared a list of predictions. There are some artists and music groups that are definitely taking at least one Grammy home this weekend — or at least I hope so.
Rihanna
Turn on the radio and you're bound to hear a Rihanna song or collaboration with another artist. From clubs to iPods, everyone is listening to her music.
This year, her new album, "Loud" is nominated for Album of the Year and Pop Vocal Album. However, these are probably not the only categories Rihanna will win Sunday.
The "We Found Love" singer also has two nominations in the category of Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "What's My Name" with Drake and "All of the Lights" with Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Fergie.
Her biggest competition: multiple time Grammy-winner and "Love the Way You Lie" partner, Eminem, with "I Need a Doctor." Nevertheless, Rihanna's two collaborations still have a great chance of winning the Grammy in this category, proving she continues to influence the music scene around the world.
Bon Iver
Although he has been part of the music world since 2007, Bon Iver has taken a different musical direction with his new self-titled album released last summer.
With songs such as "Calagary" and "Holocene," he has made an incredible comeback and become one of the most popular musicians of the year.
As a Grammy rookie, Bon Iver is surprisingly nominated for Grammys in four different categories this year. And, although he will not win all of them, he is, without a doubt, my pick for Best New Artist.
He faces tough competition from Nicki Minaj, Skrillex, The Band Perry and J. Cole, who are also contenders in the same category. However, his alternative music brings a new, innovative feel — a quality the NARAS will be looking at when choosing a winner.
Kanye West
After interrupting Taylor Swift while she accepted an award for Best Female Video in 2009's VMA's, there was only one question we could ask ourselves: WWKDN? (What Would Kanye Do Next?)
Although criticized by many after the incident, Kanye's recent albums and collaborations show he still rules the rap world.
This year, he leads the Grammy-nominee pack with seven nominations. He's nominated for Song of the Year category and four other rap awards, and will probably go home with at least two or three Grammys.
This artist is currently at a great place in his musical career. His Grammy nominations and probable wins are proof of his worldwide popularity and success.
Adele
Last but not least, Adele has been all over 2011. If there is someone that will take this year's music awards over by storm, it is she.
Her amazing voice and powerful lyrics have earned her a total of six Grammy nominations, three of them in the most important categories (Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Record of the Year). I am sure Adele and her album, "21," will dominate this year's Grammys, proving she can have it all.
Watch the 54th Grammy Awards Sunday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. on CBS.
contact Maria Fernandez at
mfernan5@nd.edu
