The Grammys are back again for their 67th year running. This year has been outstanding for music, and has been a year for the underdogs, with many lesser-known artists seeing their hard work and dedication pay off with virality finally being achieved by them. A new wave of pop culture icons are currently paving the way, with talks of a pop-revival akin to the late 2000s. It can truly be anyone’s game, however, here are my predictions for my top 6 most anticipated Grammys categories. 

Record of the Year 

The Record of the Year award is given to the song with the best recording. This includes the artists, producers and song engineers who contribute to the project. 

• “Now and Then” – The Beatles 

• “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Beyonce 

• “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter 

• “360” – Charli xcx 

• “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish 

• “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar 

• “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan 

• “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
  

  

“Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter provides a tropical production with 90s funk inspirations. The lyrics, though not a deep concept, remain engaging enough to create an immersive listening experience for everyone. The song’s cultural impact is clear due to its virality among many social media platforms, and in turn its various parodies via SNL also gaining much attention. Ultimately, the energetic yet soothing energy given by this song provides clear reasoning why it is deserving of the title Record of the Year. 

Song of the Year 

The Song of the Year category discusses the composition of a song, mainly highlighting the songwriters who perfect a top performing track. 

• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey 

• “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish 

• “Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars 

• “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone 

• “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar 

• “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan 

• “Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter 

• “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Beyonce
  

  

   

“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish exudes a positive energy that we all need going into 2025. Whether 2024 has been an amazing or an awful year for you, Billie Eilish is here to remind us about the importance of close relationships, and how they can carry you through tough times. With lyrics discussing topics of sticking together and loving someone for a lifetime (platonic or romantic), Eilish truly sets the tone of things we should keep in mind leading into the new year. 

Best New Artist 

The Best New Artist award is given to an artist who has had an extreme rise to the top in the industry or shows promising merit to do so. The artist does not have to debut in the year prior to being awarded, however, it should be their first year being known in mainstream pop culture. 

• Benson Boone 

• Sabrina Carpenter 

• Doechii 

• Khruangbin 

• Raye 

• Chappell Roan 

• Shaboozey 

• Teddy Swims
  

  

Chappell Roan is an obvious choice for this award. She has had an explosive year, despite releasing her last full-length project, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”, almost two years ago in 2023. After garnering attention on social media for opening for Olivia Rodrigo, the 2022 Best New Artist winner, she skyrocketed in the industry gaining notoriety for her kitschy yet charismatic character. Many are left yearning for new projects and are excited to see what’s to come from this midwestern princess. 

Best Dance/Electronic Album 

The Best Dance/Electronic Album title is an award given to an album that is deemed the best within its respective genre. This goes to highlight artists who have seen extreme success in their niche but may not always break mainstream.

• “BRAT” – Charli xcx 

• “Three” – Four Tet 

• “Hyperdrama” – Justice 

• “TIMELESS” – KAYTRANADA 

• “Telos” – Zedd
   

BRAT by Charli xcx was not only a phenomenal record, but a cultural movement. With the creation of the term “brat summer” as well as the album being used as branding material for one of the 2024 presidential candidates, the cultural impact of this album is clear. Charli xcx was able to take the niche genre of “pc music” to the mainstream audience, creating a larger audience for techno-infused music. The impact of this album is undeniable which is why this project well deserves this award. 

Best Rap Album 

Similarly to the previous award, The Best Rap Album title is an award given to an album that is deemed the best within its respective genre. This goes to highlight artists who have seen extreme success in their niche but may not always break mainstream.

• “Might Delete Later” – J. Cole 

• “The Auditorium, Vol. 1” – Common & Pete Rock 

• “Alligator Bites Never Heal” – Doechii 

• “The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)” – Eminem 

• “We Don’t Trust You” – Future & Metro Boomin
  

  

   

Doechii is a bright light that the world needs to keep an eye on. Despite having a small fan base, her catchy lyricism and quirky flow make her shine bright among competition. Alligator Bites Never Heal is a project that delves into topics from her home life, opening up about growing up in the Florida suburbs. She is able to infuse her personal story with a fun flow, making seemingly dark topics feel fun and light-hearted. This project is phenomenally written, rapped and produced, and proves exactly why this album is deserving of this award.

Album of the Year 

The Album of the Year award is given to a project that is deemed the best album released in 2024. 

• “New Blue Sun” – Andre 3000 

• “COWBOY CARTER” – Beyoncé 

• “Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter 

• “BRAT” – Charli xcx 

• “Djesse Vol. 4” – Jacob Collier 

• “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” – Billie Eilish 

• “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” – Chappell Roan 

• “The Tortured Poets Department” – Taylor Swift
  

  

This is an extremely hard category to call, and I’m sure the Grammys committee will have the same issue. There has been numerous stand-out projects this year, however, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” by Billie Eilish I believe has the most cultural impact, lyrical and sound quality to be awarded this honor. From having numerous trending sounds across a multitude of social media platforms, to meaningful lyrics discussing close relationships and personal struggle, to enamoring production that continues to draw listeners in, this project, though short, is extremely well made. Their time was well used to ensure all songs were of a high standard, making all ten songs topically diverse, with captivating production and inspiring yet interesting lyrics. Ultimately, this song captivated the world which is why Album of the Year seems only fit for this work of art.