The 2025 Grammys are shaping as much as be one of the aggressive in years. Breakout stars like Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter are going head-to-head with GRAMMY favorites like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish. However the actual heavyweight battles lie within the style crossovers—Beyoncé and Shaboozey are pushing nation boundaries whereas taking over staples like Kacey Musgraves for a number of the evening’s most prestigious awards.
The Album of the 12 months class is arguably the tightest this decade, with four-time nominee Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter going through off in opposition to four-time winner Taylor Swift. There was a number of murmurs round Jay-Z’s criticism of Beyoncé and different Black artists’ lack of Album of the 12 months recognition. In the meantime, André 3000 shakes up the sphere along with his flute-driven opus New Blue Solar, an avant-garde curveball in a class historically dominated by vocal-heavy initiatives. After which there’s Chappell Roan—an surprising pop power sweeping a number of classes. With every album boasting various levels of business success and important acclaim, predicting the winners is anybody’s guess.
The GRAMMYs are as a lot about messaging as they’re about music. Typically, they reward the 12 months’s greatest business juggernauts—see Taylor Swift’s Midnights 2024 win regardless of extra critically acclaimed competitors. Different years, they lean into an underdog narrative, like when Beck edged out Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Pharrell in 2015. After which there’s the wildcard issue—style splits, the place a number of nominees from the identical area cannibalize votes, opening the door for a left-field winner.
It’s the unpredictability that retains the present thrilling. Simply ask Jon Batiste, who shocked audiences by taking dwelling Album of the 12 months in 2022. With energy gamers like Beyoncé and boundary-pushing acts like Shaboozey and André 3000 within the combine, this 12 months’s GRAMMYs may ship one other shocker.
Album of the 12 months Nominees
André 3000 — New Blue Solar Beyoncé — Cowboy Carter Billie Eilish — Hit Me Exhausting And Smooth Chappell Roan — The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess Charli XCX — Brat Jacob Collier — Djesse Vol. 4 Sabrina Carpenter — Quick N’ Candy Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Division
Ought to Win: Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Would possibly Win: Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Division, Billie Eilish — Hit Me Exhausting And Smooth
To be frank this award is anybody’s to take. Beyoncé’s newest album Cowboy Carter is a masterpiece that bridges Black music’s roots with the essence of nation. The album flows seamlessly throughout enjoyable anthems and heartfelt ballads and is anchored by the primary hit, “Texas Maintain “Em.” That includes icons like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, it pushes style boundaries. Nevertheless, Beyoncé’s path to victory hinges on broader nation group assist, particularly with Andre 3000’s flute return engaging R&B and hip-hop voters. Regardless of being probably the most awarded artist in GRAMMY historical past, solely considered one of her wins, “Single Women,” is in a common discipline. This fourth Album of the 12 months nod carries immense weight.
Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish stay GRAMMY favorites. Swift, a four-time Album of the 12 months winner, claimed final 12 months’s prize for Midnights and boasts the second-highest U.S. first-week gross sales report. The GRAMMYs typically favor commercially dominant data as an indication that the music trade continues to be viable, making her a powerful contender. Billie Eilish, who gained in 2022 for her debut, delivered a viral sensation with “Birds of a Feather,” a single that resonated throughout social platforms and conventional listeners. Her potential to stability mainstream attraction and emotional depth cements her standing. Whether or not the Academy chooses business triumph or crucial acclaim, the choice shall be telling.
Report of the 12 months Nominees
The Beatles — “Now And Then” Beyoncé — “Texas Maintain ’Em” Billie Eilish — “Birds Of A Feather” Chappell Roan — “Good Luck, Babe!” Charli XCX — “360” Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us” Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso” Taylor Swift Feat. Submit Malone — “Fortnight”
Ought to Win: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
Would possibly Win: Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso” / Beyoncé — “Texas Maintain ’Em”
“Not Like Us” is the diss monitor that echoed around the globe—many times. Kendrick Lamar crafted an anthem so common that it transcended its origins as a diss monitor, turning into a celebration of delight and identification. The Report of the 12 months class typically favors anthems, and this one matches the invoice completely.
This 12 months’s Report of the 12 months race is fierce. Beyoncé’s “Texas Maintain ‘Em” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” had been inescapable, dominating playlists all through 2024. Each tracks transcended style traces, pulling in listeners who won’t usually gravitate towards nation or pop. Including to their edge, each songs had been crafted by prolific songwriters with sturdy GRAMMY monitor data—a bonus that would work of their favor when the votes are counted.
Tune of the 12 months Nominees
Beyoncé — “Texas Maintain ’Em” Billie Eilish — “Birds Of A Feather” Chappell Roan — “Good Luck, Babe!” Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us” Girl Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die With A Smile” Sabrina Carpenter — “Please Please Please” Shaboozey — “A Bar Tune (Tipsy)” Taylor Swift Feat. Submit Malone — “Fortnight”
Ought to Win: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
Would possibly Win: Girl Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die With A Smile” / Shaboozey — “A Bar Tune (Tipsy)”
Tune of the 12 months honors the songwriters behind the nominated tracks, and Kendrick Lamar matches that invoice completely as the only credited author on “Not Like Us.” The Recording Academy has a historical past of recognizing artists who not solely carry out but additionally write their very own music, typically favoring songs with fewer credited writers. Given the Academy’s tendency to reward each craftsmanship and cultural influence, it’s attainable that the style may sweep each main music classes this 12 months.
Girl Gaga and Bruno Mars are darkish horses within the Tune of the 12 months class. Whereas different nominees might have felt like larger cultural moments, their monitor quietly sustained momentum, surviving the vacation slowdown and hitting No. 1 simply as GRAMMY voting entered its closing levels—doubtlessly benefiting from recency bias. In the meantime, the bar anthem “A Bar Tune (Tipsy)” is tied because the longest-running No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and will symbolize the evolution many need to see in nation music. For voters hesitant to again Beyoncé however nonetheless wanting to assist progress throughout the style, this music could be the proper center floor.
Greatest New Artist Nominees
Benson Boone Doechii Chappell Roan Khruangbin Raye Sabrina Carpenter Shaboozey Teddy Swims
Ought to Win: Doechii
Would possibly Win: Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii ought to win. She’s pulled off one of the flawless GRAMMY campaigns in latest reminiscence—from her late-night present run to her Genius efficiency with Issa Rae and even her sitcom-inspired video for “Denial Is a River.” She’s positioning herself because the type of rap famous person we haven’t seen shortly. Her physique of labor is probably not probably the most commercially dominant, however it has ignited pleasure amongst critics and music lovers alike.
If Doechii doesn’t take this award dwelling, it ought to go to Sabrina Carpenter. Whereas some may argue she’s not a real new artist—provided that Quick n’ Candy is her sixth studio album—this period has undeniably been a breakthrough. She’s captivated the world, delivering a number of profitable singles from one mission, a rarity in immediately’s trade. She’s constructed a model paying homage to Katy Perry in 2008 and Billie Eilish in 2019—an more and more uncommon feat. It wouldn’t be stunning if the GRAMMYs selected to reward her momentum, making her the probably decide for voters.
Greatest R&B Efficiency Nominees
Chris Brown — “Residuals” Coco Jones — “Right here We Go (Uh Oh)” Jhené Aiko — “Steerage” Muni Lengthy — “Made For Me (Reside on BET)” SZA — “Saturn”
Ought to Win: Muni Lengthy – “Made For Me (Reside on BET)”
Would possibly Win: SZA — “Saturn”
Peak R&B from the ’90s and early 2000s was music everybody may sing alongside to and admire—that’s precisely the case with Muni Lengthy’s “Made for Me.” Fantastically written and deliberately composed, the music resonates throughout generations, genres and backgrounds, making it one of the quintessential R&B data of our time. Lengthy additionally has deep trade assist, due to her years as a songwriter, which may work in her favor. For immediately’s R&B lovers, this monitor is a testomony to how a well-crafted, genuine R&B music can nonetheless obtain chart success and international recognition. It wouldn’t be stunning if the GRAMMYs wished to acknowledge that.
SZA has had a blockbuster 12 months and stays a beloved determine within the trade. After securing her first solo GRAMMY wins on the 2024 ceremony for SOS, she’s solely grown into a good larger star, additional solidifying her standing as a prolific musician. The discharge of SOS Deluxe: Lana propelled the album again to No. 1, whereas her upcoming Tremendous Bowl halftime present and joint tour with Kendrick Lamar cement her because the defining R&B feminine icon of this period. This award may function a well-earned acknowledgment of her large success for the reason that unique SOS period.
Greatest R&B Album Nominees
Chris Brown — 11:11 (Deluxe) Lalah Hathaway — Vantablack Fortunate Daye — Algorithm Muni Lengthy — Revenge Usher — Coming Dwelling
Ought to Win: USHER — Coming Dwelling
USHER’s 2024 resurgence is in contrast to something we’ve seen in recent times. From his Vegas residency to his viral serenades and a blockbuster Tremendous Bowl halftime present, he’s dominated the cultural dialog. Successful this award may very well be the crowning second of his comeback. Whereas Coming Dwelling wasn’t the largest album commercially, it obtained sturdy opinions and stood out for sustaining a transparent narrative all year long—one thing lots of its rivals didn’t handle to do.
Greatest Progressive R&B Album Nominees
Avery*Sunshine — So Glad To Know You Infantile Gambino — Bando Stone And The New World Durand Bernarr — En Route Kehlani — Crash NxWorries — Why Lawd?
Ought to Win: Infantile Gambino — Bando Stone And The New World
Would possibly Win: NxWorries — Why Lawd?
Infantile Gambino is a recognized GRAMMY favourite, as evidenced by his Report and Tune of the 12 months sweep for “This Is America” and the constant recognition his albums have obtained since. Whereas this mission wasn’t probably the most newsworthy or critically acclaimed of his profession, it stays to be seen whether or not the GRAMMYs will shrink back from an artist they’ve traditionally proven a lot like to.
Greatest R&B Tune Nominees
Coco Jones — “Right here We Go (Uh Oh)” Kehlani — “After Hours” Muni Lengthy — “Ruined Me” SZA — “Saturn” Tems — “Burning”
Ought to Win: Tems — “Burning”
Would possibly Win: Coco Jones — “Right here We Go (Uh Oh)”
This class appears like a toss-up. Coco Jones took dwelling Greatest R&B Efficiency final 12 months, however she’s up in opposition to heavyweights like SZA, Tems, and Muni Lengthy, all vying for a similar honor. Tems delivered probably the greatest fusions of Afrobeats and R&B we’ve ever seen, pushing the dialog ahead on how we outline and categorize Black music.
Greatest Rap Tune Nominees
Future, Metro Boomin, & Kendrick Lamar — “Like That” Glorilla — “Yeah Glo!” Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us” Rapsody & Hit-Boy — “Asteroids” ¥$, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, & Wealthy The Child Feat. Playboi Carti — “Carnival”
Will Win: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
That is Kendrick Lamar’s award to lose. It’s laborious to think about any music aside from “Not Like Us” taking this dwelling—if not Tune of the 12 months, it’s undeniably the rap music of 2024. The way in which it revitalized the style shall be unattainable for voters to miss. With a catchy hook, a sole songwriter, and the added weight of being a rap beef anthem—one thing hip-hop voters traditionally love—it stands far forward of the competitors. The opposite contenders are sturdy, however none come near the cultural influence of “Not Like Us.”
Greatest Rap Album Nominees
Frequent & Pete Rock — The Auditorium Vol. 1 Doechii — Alligator Bites By no means Heal Eminem — The Demise Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) Future & Metro Boomin — We Don’t Belief You J. Cole — Would possibly Delete Later
Ought to Win: Doechii — Alligator Bites By no means Heal
Would possibly Win: Eminem — The Demise Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) / Frequent & Pete Rock — The Auditorium Vol. 1
Doechii ought to take this award dwelling for Alligator Bites By no means Heal. She delivered a masterful mission—various, intuitive, susceptible, and undeniably catchy. Rap has lengthy valued cohesive our bodies of labor, and in an period the place many criticize the brand new technology for missing that, Doechii proved in any other case. Her nomination alone is historic, however it wouldn’t be stunning to see her take this win—doubtlessly her solely award of the evening, although she’s deserving of many.
Eminem is a GRAMMY favourite, holding extra wins on this class than every other rapper, making him robust competitors. Pete Rock is a legend in his personal proper, and his collaboration on this mission solely strengthens its case. Nonetheless, neither of those albums really permeated the mainstream music area the way in which Doechii’s did. The way it all shakes out stays to be seen, however she’s undoubtedly a powerful contender.
Greatest African Music Efficiency
Asake & Wizkid — “MMS” Burna Boy — “Larger” Chris Brown Feat. Davido & Lojay — “Sensational” Tems — “Love Me JeJe” Yemi Alade — “Tomorrow”
Ought to Win: Asake & Wizkid — “MMS”
Asake and Wizkid deserve this award. Their collaboration is among the greatest Afrobeats pairings in latest reminiscence, boasting unbelievable replay worth and top-tier manufacturing. The monitor embodies all the things African music represents on a world scale, making it a becoming option to honor two of Afrobeats’ greatest stars with one standout report.
Greatest International Music Album
Antonio Rey — “Historias De Un Flamenco” Ciro Hurtado — “Paisajes” Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra — “Alkebulan II” Rema — “Heis” Tems — “Born In The Wild”
Ought to Win: Tems — “Born In The Wild”
Tems’ debut album, Born within the Wild, lastly arrived in 2024—and it took the world by storm. Her vocals are velvety and wealthy, her songwriting each intelligent and deeply susceptible. She effortlessly strikes between Afrobeats and conventional R&B, making this album uniquely dynamic and impactful. With its far-reaching affect, Born within the Wild embodies the essence of world music. Given all that Tems represents and the way deeply her music resonates throughout cultures, she’s the clear option to take this award dwelling.
