Scheduled for February 2nd, 2025, this year’s Grammy Awards are fast approaching. This year, female artists have largely dominated the nominations, with Beyoncé leading at 11 nominations, Billie Eilish and Charli XCX not far behind with 7 each, and newcomers Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan with 6 apiece. With seasoned Grammy veterans like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar also in the running for some of the show’s most coveted awards, it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Grammys in a long time.
While it seems as though any of the incredibly talented musicians nominated could end up taking home the big prize, I have attempted to narrow it down to just one definitive winner for each of the “Big Four” categories.
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Shaboozey
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” Billie Eilish
“Die With a Smile,” Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga
“Fortnight,” Taylor Swift
“Good Luck, Babe!,” Chappell Roan
“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
“Please Please Please,” Sabrina Carpenter
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” Beyoncé
The Song of the Year Grammy is awarded to the songwriter(s) of a particular track. Having received numerous accolades for their vivid and emotional songwriting (2 Academy Awards each, and 19 Grammys combined), there is no one that better represents this category than sibling duo Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. The two writers have been Grammys favorites for years, and with their monumental hit “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” up for Song of The Year, it is likely they will once again be taking home the prize.
RECORD OF THE YEAR:
“Now and Then,” The Beatles
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM, Beyoncé
“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 feat. Post Malone
Unlike Song of the Year, Record of the Year is a more production-oriented award that is awarded to the artist, producers, mixers, and/or recording engineers of a track. And when it comes to production, “Espresso” does not fall short. The Sabrina Carpenter track was produced by Julian Bunetta, who was behind numerous hits by One Direction, such as “Drag Me Down” and “Story of My Life.” One of the definitive songs of 2024, “Espresso” introduced a new, fresh sound to the pop world, and helped to redefine the summer song. If Grammy voters consider the lasting impact that “Espresso” will likely have on pop music over the next few years, this track could certainly end up winning Record of the Year.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
New Blue Sun, André 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
With so many mega-stars releasing new albums this year, the race for Album of the Year seems extremely tight. While the award could easily go to Sabrina Carpenter’s album for its popularity, or Beyoncé’s for its genre-bending tracks, if the Grammys choose to focus on an album for its narrative, the award could go to Billie Eilish. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT has often been described as Eilish’s best work to date, and sees her reaching incredible new heights from a writing, production, and vocal standpoint. If the Grammys seek to acknowledge an artist’s growth this year, the award could definitely go to Eilish.
BEST NEW ARTIST:
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
RAYE
Chappell Roan
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Chappell Roan had a meteoric rise to fame this year. From attracting one of the largest crowds in Lollapalooza history, to winning her first MTV Video Music Award, Roan truly stood out among the crop of this year’s new artists. Her captivating vocals, unique songwriting, and big personality all make her an extremely strong candidate for Artist of the Year.
