Stop me if you’ve heard this before: predicting the winners for the Grammys truly is harder than predicting the winners of film and television award shows such as the Golden Globes or the Academy Awards. Personally, I think the hype and popularity of an artist’s music is taken into account for an award more so than from an actor’s performance or a director’s work.  There is a good and a bad side to this sort of evaluation. I’d like to think that most of the time when artists receive praise for their music, it is deserved, but sometimes an overwhelming amount of acclaim may overshadow those who may, arguably, deserve it more. For this thought, I have organized predictions based on who will most likely win and also who also deserves recognition for their outstanding work.

This year’s Grammys will take place on Sunday, January 26th, and will be broadcasted on CBS at 7:00 p.m. from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Multiple artists are set to perform: Imagine Dragons, Daft Punk, Katy Perry, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Pink, Robin Thicke, Chicago, Taylor Swift, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Bruno Mars, and more. Additionally, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will be awarded the 2014 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and will perform together for the first time in many years. It would be an understatement to say that this will be a night that goes down in music history.  Considering the past year in music, there may be many surprises and lots of snubs.

Record of the Year

Nominees:  Daft Punk – “Get Lucky”, Imagine Dragons – “Radioactive”,  Lorde –
“Royals”, Bruno Mars – “Locked Out Of Heaven”,  Robin Thicke Ft. T.I. & Pharrell – “Blurred Lines”

Who will win: “Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons

Although Daft Punk and Robin Thicke may be said to have created the “songs of the summer,” neither of them will likely “Get Lucky” with this category. Imagine Dragons took the Alternative music scene by storm this year, selling 6 million singles of their nominated song in the US alone and spending more than 1 year consecutively in the Billboard Hot 100. They are also most likely to win Best Rock Performance for their hit “Radioactive.”

Who should win:  “Royals” – Lorde

“Royals” was written by a 17 year-old from New Zealand who has topped both the Billboard Top Alternative and Rock Albums. Additionally, “Royals” has made it to #3 on the Billboard 200 – need I say more?

Album of the Year:

Nominees: Sara Bareilles – The Blessed Unrest, Daft Punk – Random Access Memories, Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist, Taylor Swift – Red

Who will win: The Heist,  Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

The Heist is no question album of the year. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis managed to get their song “Thrift Shop” to the very top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart without the support of a major label, which is outstanding to say the least. They are also nominated for 6 other Grammy awards, which most definitely places them with those with the most nominations this year and increases their chance to win this award. Despite their achievements this year, Daft’s Punk’s Random Access Memories and Taylor Swift’s Red may be some major competition.

Daft Punk has been nominated for many Grammys through the years since they released their debut album, Homework, in 1997. Out of 8, the majority for Best Dance Recording, they have won two, which wore both given to them in 2009 for their album Alive.  Daft Punk also collaborated with many notable artists on their latest album, including The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, Animal Collective’s Panda Bear, and Pharrell Williams. Even if they don’t win an award for this category, they most definitely will win the award for Best Dance/Electronica Album for Random Access Memories.

Taylor Swift also has an edge in this category. She has won numerous Grammys, including Album of the Year for Fearless in 2010. She has also collaborated with solo artist Ed Sheeran, who was nominated last year for his song “The A Team” and is nominated this year for Best New Artist.

Song of the Year: 

Nominees: Pink Ft. Nate Ruess – “Just Give Me A Reason”, Bruno Mars – “Locked Out Of Heaven”, Katy Perry- “Roar”, Lorde – “Royals”, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Same Love”

Who will win: “Royals” – Lorde

Lorde will deservedly win Song Of The Year due to the overall popularity and radio-play of the song “Royals.” Also, it is a very well written and catchy song worthy of the top of the pop charts. This young artist should and will definitely win this category due to her extraordinary talent and musicianship.

Best New Artist: 

Nominees: James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kacey Musgraves, Ed Sheeran

Who will win: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

This year, Macklemore has gone from virtually unknown to a globally well-known artist due to his hits “Thrift Shop” and “Same Love.” His overwhelming amount of Grammy nominations this year basically secures him the spot of Best New Artist.

Who should win: James Blake

James Blake and his work has grown in popularity this year, which is not surprising considering his fantastic electronic music guaranteed to leave you chilled out and relaxed. Blake hones his craft by using his impressive sampling skills while still managing to create a distinctive and unique sound.

Best Pop Vocal Album:

Nominees: Lana Del Rey – Paradise, Lorde – Pure Heroine, Bruno Mars – Unorthodox Jukebox, Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines, Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience

Who will win: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience

In spite of my devotion to Lana Del Rey and liking for Lorde, I truly believe that Justin Timberlake deserves to take this award. After a long hiatus from music, Timberlake managed to make an album that was beyond any doubt worth the wait. Every song draws you in and makes you think. Each song is different, but at the same time related. His performance with Jay-Z in “Suit & Tie” may also allow him to snag the award of  Best Pop Duo/Group Performance from artists such as Daft Punk and Rihanna. Also, he may quite possibly win the award for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Mirrors if Katy Perry or Lorde don’t take the prize. Overall, Timberlake’s long-awaited album surprised many and deserves recognition.

Best Rock Album:

Nominees: Black Sabbath – 13, David Bowie – The Next Day, Kings of Leon – Mechanical Bull, Led Zeppelin – Celebration Day, Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork, Neil Young With Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill

Who will win: Kings of Leon – Mechanical Bull

This category puts both more current and older musicians against each other, which is often how rankings on the Billboard and iTunes charts usually play out with musicians of this genre. Some artists are even battling it out in other categories, such as in the category Best Rock Performance.  David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and Neil Young have all gotten an immense amount of recognition from The Recording Academy, Bowie having won multiple awards and being nominated numerous times, Led Zeppelin having been inducted in the Grammy Hall Of Fame and being nominated many times, and Neil Young having been nominated before also. Let’s not forget that these artists have had an undeniable impact on the history of rock music and the way it is in the present day. That being said, the academy may not feel that they have to grant this award to these artists, and may award it to Kings of Leon, who have previously been nominated and have won 4 Grammys, all for their platinum-selling album, Only By The Night. 

Best Alternative Music Album: 

Nominees: Neko Case – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, The National – Trouble Will Find Me, Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks, Tame Impala – Lonerism, Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City

Who will win: Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City

This category heavily depends on popularity due to the fact that most of these nominated artists are rather lesser known. Therefore, Nine Inch Nails, Vampire Weekend, and even possibly The National have more of an advantage than the others nominated. Nine Inch Nails have been nominated multiple times and have won 2 Grammys in the past, but their latest album wasn’t as well received as those in the past. The National’s work has been rising in fame over the past years, starting with the release of High Violet in 2010, it reaching No. 3 in the US within the first week after its release. They toured extensively in 2011, attending the popular Reeding and Leeds festivals and headlining Latitude. Last year, The National repeated the success of their last album, ranking No.3 in the US after a week in sales. Last year they  headlined even more festivals, including Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Lollapalooza right here in Chicago.

Although I have grown more and more partial to Vampire Weekend over the years, I can’t deny their astounding success. The Ivy League graduates who have been known to dress in fisherman’s sweaters, khakis, and boating shoes have so far released 3 albums, all of which have widely praised. “A-Punk” off of their self-titled debut album was featured in Guitar Hero 5, Just Dance 2, and Lego Rock Band, which is pretty amazing for one single off of a band’s first album. 2010’s Contra further reflects their success with a place at No.1 on the Billboard 200. They continued touring and performing at major festivals that year, including Glastonbury, Coachella, Bonnaroo, and T in the Park. Their newest album, Modern Vampires of the City, has had the same success, debuting at No. 1 on the charts. Devoted fans were very pleased with the results of the long-awaited album, which has shown Vampire Weekend’s “darker” side. With an ever-growing fanbase and small competition, besides The National, Vampire Weekend is sure to win this category.

Best Rap Album:

Nominees: Nothing Was The Same, Drake, Magna Carta…Holy Grail, Jay-Z, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,  Kendrick Lamar, The Heist,  Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Yeezus,  Kanye West

Who will win:

Although it may be hard for some to take Yeezus seriously, Kanye West managed to make a powerful album with a number of radio hits including “Black Skinhead” and “Bound 2”. The album quickly reached gold a few weeks after its release and has also recently reached platinum in early January 2014. He also has won 21 Grammys, which can be to an artists benefit, depending on the view of the academy that year.  Ultimately, it may be Kanye West’s general fame that may allow him to steal the win for this category.

Who should win:

Kendrick Lamar is definitely the underdog in this category. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was an overall refreshing album with great lyrical content that really hit home with a great number of people but unfortunately, neither the artist nor the album has not gotten a lot of time in the spotlight compared to other artists competing in this category.