These are far away, the nominations reveal hasn't even been announced yet, but August 31 is officially the cut off point for eligible music. We will never know why they do Sept-Sept, hopefully one day that will change. One thing that did change, thanks to our fried The Weeknd, is that the Super Double Secret Nominations Panel is no longer a thing! So, for better or for worse, what the music industry actually loves will actually be nominated. No more Jacob Colliers, Black Pumas (who I do really like), random Coldplay albums, etc... It's a shame that small artists will be shut out even more, but I think they can find a way to recover from that. In time. This year is gonna be all mega popular artists.

Contenders:

Olivia Rodrigo - It has been her year and I think she shoud be the favorite for all categories. I only really like G4U, but Driver's License will be the song competing in the two song of the year categories and I'd expect her to win at least one of the big 3 along with Best New Artist.

Billie Eilish - Is pretty much undefeated at the grammys, but will the new record generate enough good will to give her even more gold? I don't think so. Album of the year nom for sure, maybe Lost Cause in record/song, but wouldn't be surprised if the individual tracks were shut out.

Taylor Swift - Just won. I think Evermore is better than Folklore(which won the top prize last year), but most people don't. The industry would be fine with leaving her out this year, but will it happen?

Tyler the Creator - I think hip-hop will actually do even better than before with the new rules. Tyler has great reviews, is a grammy favorite and due for a big nomination. Potential sleeper for the big win.

Nas - Another overdue longtime favorite in the rap category who has terrific reviews. I think it gets in.

HER - She benefitted from the old rules at first, but with a win in song of the year last year she is now big enough to carry her own name. Another potential winner.

Kanye West - Probably a crazy long shot, but he did get it out in time for eligibility, so maybe he knows something?

Ariana Grande - Does anyone remember Positions? I think it had some good tracks on it but can't be sure.

Foo Fighters - If rock has any representation it will be with these fellas.

The Weeknd - I think the Save Your Tears remix could be a good way to make up for some previous snubs.

BTS - The BTS fans are saving their money to bribe their way into a record of the year nomination.

Not sure what else will get into the big ones. Bieber maybe? They did nominate Yummy. I always hope for The Killers and am always disappointed. Halsey or Turnstile? Great reviews but just came out. Feel free to share your thoughts!

Pretty weak list, they will probably just go for Olivia. Maybe J Cole can sneak into Best Album.

I want Olivia to win but I am sure it will be either Taylor of Eilish because Grammy's cannot see anyone else.

Some other possible contenders from metacritic

Dave - 92 - british rapper - almost no way

Nick Cave - 91 - sad guy indie rock - better chance but still almost no way

Wolf Alice - 91 - alt rock band - this could be a maybe, it had a lot of buzz on release, but I just don't see anyone outside the top tier of popularity making any impact.

Japanese Breakfast - 88 - alt pop - same as Wolf Alice, but would be more woke so maybe?

St. Vincent - 85 - alt pop - another maybe? Does fit their style actually and the name is big enough for people to recognize.

Vince Staples - 84 - hip hop - long overdue but will likely to continue to be overlooked

Clairo - 84 - alt pop - not a big name on her own but Jack Antonoff co-produced it.

Chvrches - 83 - new wave - see the Vince Staples entry

Yola - 82 - alt country - was nommed for best new artist and could be a good alternative woke pick.

Beartooth - ? - metalcore - in my dreams maybe. They don't even get metacritic scores.

What abour Adele?

The cutoff is August 31st so she'll be next year at best

Kacey Musgraves is also gonna miss the deadline, but only by like two weeks.

But that’s good. I want a unique winner and as many new nominees as possible.

Though it is a bummer Kendrick didn’t get out in time. Giving him an overdue win would have been the best result.

I did forget about some other late 2020 contenders. Deftones or Bring Me The Horizon would be great picks but as I stated before, I don’t see rock getting much love. Stapleton could represent country, same as Eric Church. Megan Thee Stallion or Bad Bunny could put some more hip hop in contention too.

The one big standout is Machine Gun Kelley. White rapper + Blink 182 nostalgia could be too much to pass up.

The grammys have, once again, changed their eligibility period so now the September releases are back in. Kacey Musgraves won for her last album, but Lil Nas X is probably the bigger contender this year.

Lil Nas X is more of a public figure than a musician IMO. If he wins its a giant virtue signal.

He's someone who writes, records and releases music. He's a musician. He's no more of a public figure than pretty much any big artist out there and trying to diminish what he does because, idk, he dared to bring his black ass into country music or released a video that was just too darn gay, just reeks of bigotry.

No, it's because he can't sing and his music is tuneless noise.

I had fun with OTR for a few weeks, but then it turned really cringey and I just can’t separate Lil Nas X from facepalming just yet. So I really don’t even wanna listen to his new music (though I will if it wins album of the year.) Though I do recognize this is also how most people view my beloved Carly Rae.

I wouldn't call myself a fan but it's the same time ambivalence as many other current stars (Halsey, etc.) I'm more bothered by Drake's success.

Nominations announced on November 24.

Halsey, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross got the Billboard magazine cover plugging the awards. It's a good idea to package them since Reznor and Ross will also likely win for Soul. It's easily my favorite of the contenders (I'm not optimistic about Beartooth's chances ) so I'm glad that powers that be are pushing the album hard. Gold derby still has it as a 100-1 long shot though.

Finalish predictions:

Album:

Billie Eilish
Halsey
HER
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo
Chris Stapleton
Taylor Swift
Tyler The Creator

Record:

Driver's License
Good 4 U
Happer Than Ever
Kiss Me More
Montero
Peaches
Rapstar
Up

Not sure if anyone has gotten a double nomination before but with the new rules I can see it happening with Rodrigo.

ABBA for Best Album nomination next year!

Morgan Wallen for sure would've gotten noms if not for the controversy. Oh well. Hopefully others will learn from his mistake.

Nominations are live now! This will take awhile though.

Lil Nas X is getting killed in the sub cats. Nothing in the pop field, just music video.

Gen noms are very boring with a few wtfs, but nothing too great.

Album:
Jon Batiste
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Justin Bieber
Doja Cat
Billie Eilish
HER
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Kanye West


Record:
I Still Have Faith In You - Abba
Freedom - Jon Batiste
I Get A Kick Out Of You - Bennett and Gaga
Peaches - Bieber
Right On Time - Brandi Carlile
Kiss Me More - Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
Montero - Lil Nas X
Driver's License - Olivia Rodrigo
Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic


Based on how boring the noms are I'm gonna predict Billie wins everything again. The rock categories are especially sad, with mostly old (or dead) people plus a live album from Black Pumas. Come on! Maybe the super secret nomination panel wasn't such a bad thing.

Billie is not winning anything lol. It's Olivia's to lose.

Olivia winning big and then being interupted by Kanye is the grammy's biggest dream in terms of ratings. I'm just going with the most boring pick possible to display my dissatisfaction with these nominations.

Looks like Olivia Rodrigo night