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2019 Grammy Awards Predictions: 6 of Us Picked Who Will Win All the Major Categories

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Recording Academy

At this Sunday's 61st Grammy Awards, will your favorite singers, musicians, rappers, songwriters and producers take home coveted gold-plated gramophone trophies? 

Five ONE37pm editors and one VaynerX associate gave a stab at predicting the winners in the big four categories and five more categories. Check out the list of nominees at Grammy.com. You can watch the #GRAMMYs on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. 

1. Brian Anthony Hernandez, Senior Editor of Culture

  • Album of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour // The progressive country singer rightfully dominated 2018 best album lists everywhere, earned Apple Music’s all-genre Album of the Year title and ran away with top honors at the CMA Awards with her delicately powerful delivery of reflective lyrics. On Golden Hour, she weaves personal experiences into intricate phrases fashioned in a deeply relatable way for the masses—similar to her career-launching "Merry Go 'Round," which earned her the 2013 Grammy for Best Country Song and contributed to her winning Best Country Album.
  • Song of the Year: Childish Gambino, “This Is America” // Voters love Childish Gambino, going so far as to give him a surprise Album of the Year nomination last year. This time, it’s no surprise “This Is America” is up for Song of the Year as it masterfully exposes Americans’ erratic attention spans toward social issues by placing politically-riveting verses mockingly against gleeful choruses.
  • Record of the Year: Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, “The Middle” // Zedd and Grey transformed a Monsters and the Strangerz's demo into this auditory beast, enhanced by addictive vocals from country belter Maren Morris, who was one of more than a dozen singers who unknowingly battled to be the final voice on the track.
  • Best Live Performance of the Night: In a huge moment for Latin artists and music, Camila Cabello has assembled an impressive lineup to open the ceremony. The “Havana” singer and former Fifth Harmony member recruited Colombian sensation J Balvin, Puerto Rican legend Ricky Martin (whose 1999 performance of “The Cup of Life” is considered one of the best in Grammy history), rapper Young Thug and Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Everyone will be talking about it.
  • Best New Artist: H.E.R.
  • Best Rap Album: Cardi B, Invasion of Privacy
  • Best Rap Song: Drake, “God’s Plan”
  • Best Pop Album: Taylor Swift, Reputation
  • Best Pop Solo Performance: Camila Cabello, “Havana (LIVE)””

2. Trey Taylor, Editor

  • Album of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour // Musgraves popped off telling people to get off their high horses and somehow everyone heard her. I think she helped a lot of people rediscover their love of country. She has begun to occupy the space that Shania Twain left, straddling both the pop and country worlds with palatable music that even country haters can enjoy.
  • Song of the Year: Brandi Carlile, “The Joke” // I found out about Brandi Carlile like two days ago. She is very much not my vibe with her distilled Fiona Apple rasp and poetic lyrics but I guess some moms need music to put on in their Honda Odyssey.
  • Record of the Year: Childish Gambino, “This Is America” // This hit at a time when the world needed to hear it, which is why you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing it. Paired with the amazing visuals, I think this is the best bet for winning ROTY and it’s still fun to listen to.
  • Best Live Performance of the Night:  Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson // She’s singing "Shallow," right? I just know the Oscars are going to be a flop this year so need to get that live performance in somewhere! Bring it to the other 100 people in the room, Gaga!
  • Best New Artist: H.E.R.
  • Best Rap Album: Mac Miller, Swimming
  • Best Rap Song: Travis Scott and Drake, “Sicko Mode” 
  • Best Pop Album: Ariana Grande, Sweetener
  • Best Pop Solo Performance: Ariana Grande, “God Is a Woman”

3. Sarah Jacobs, Senior Photo Editor

  • Album of the Year: Cardi B, Invasion of Privacy // In 2018 these events happened in Cardi B's life: released Invasion of Privacy, birthed Kulture and made this video about taxes. Now she's set to start a Las Vegas residency. Is there anything this woman can't do? She will be recognized.    
  • Song of the Year: Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, “The Middle” // Remember that New York Times piece about the writing of this track? Maybe you don't, but you do remember the song if you heard it even just once.
  • Record of the Year: Drake “God’s Plan” // The song's been streamed over 1 BILLION times on Spotify alone. Enough said.
  • Best Live Performance of the Night: Janelle Monáe // If Monáe's vivid and visually stimulating music videos (and her album's entire Emotion Picture) are any indication of what her televised performance might look like—then we're in for a good one. I will probably have to get up to dance along with her.  
  • Best New Artist: Greta Van Fleet 
  • Best Rap Album: Mac Miller, Swimming
  • Best Rap Song: Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock Future and James Blake, “King’s Dead”
  • Best Pop Album: Taylor Swift, Reputation 
  • Best Pop Solo Performance: Lady Gaga, “Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?)”

4. Omari White, Associate Editor

  • Album Of The Year: Black Panther: The Album // This is my pick because this project exhibits the momentum the film created for itself. Kendrick Lamar, as a curator of the project, was able to match the energy the director Ryan Coogler was trying to display: a perfect celebration of black excellence, overcoming obstacles people face being absorbed in inner-city surroundings while introducing the world to underrated talents all at once. The Black Panther soundtrack showcased a wide array of emotional attachment that played a major part of why the movie was so successful. 
  • Song Of The Year: Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, “The Middle” // This song was pretty much everywhere. From TV commercials to radio stations being played in lounges and restaurants, I can not get away from this song. So if my real choice (Drake's "God Plan") loses, I wouldn't be surprised if this song became the winner.
  • Record Of The Year: Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J. Balvin, "I Like It" // The song pretty much dominated the summer of 2018. The usage of the classic sample on top of the production is what made this record an irresistible song to have on your playlist. Cardi recruited two talented Latin music artists for it.
  • Best Live Performance Of The Night: The Aretha Franklin Tribute from Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Andra Day // Aretha Franklin had a voice that would shake up any room. There was a sense of strength, healing and passion whenever she sang. These three ladies will give us goosebumps and are bound to receive a standing ovation. 
  • Best New Artist: H.E.R.
  • Best Rap Album: Travis Scott, Astroworld
  • Best Rap Song: Travis Scott and Drake, "SICKO MODE"
  • Best Pop Album: Camila Cabello, Camila
  • Best Pop Solo Performance: Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug, "Havana (LIVE)"

5. Justin Schnell, VaynerX, New Business Associate

  • Album of the Year: Cardi B, Invasion of Privacy // Sure, Drake and Post Malone's albums deserve Grammys. But I'm going out on a limb and saying Cardi takes it home! With features from Migos, Chance, Bad Bunny, J Balvin Kehlani, 21 Savage, YG and SZA, this album was hands down the most culturally relevant of the year.
  • Song of the Year: Drake, "God's Plan" // 2 words. Music video.
  • Record of the Year: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, "Shallow" // Rarely does a song translate from movie screen to music platform so flawlessly.
  • Best New Artist: Jorja Smith
  • Best Rap Album: Mac Miller, Swimming
  • Best Rap Song: Travis Scott, "Sicko Mode"
  • Best Pop Album: Ariana Grande, Sweetener
  • Best Pop Solo Performance: Camila Cabello, "Havana (LIVE)"

6. Corban Goble, Senior Editor of Strength

"Can you just put Post Malone for my entire entry?" Sure. 

  • Album of the Year: Post Malone
  • Song of the Year: Post Malone
  • Record of the Year: Post Malone
  • Best Live Performance of the Night: Post Malone (with Red Hot Chili Peppers)
  • Best New Artist: Post Malone 
  • Best Rap Album: Post Malone
  • Best Rap Song: Post Malone
  • Best Pop Album: Post Malone
  • Best Pop Solo Performance: Post Malone

Read more: How Post Malone Spent $40,000 on Postmates

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