Record of the Year: “We Are Young” – Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe
Jeff Bhasker, producer; Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dawson & Stuart White, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

What started off as a little known song that was covered during an episode of Glee, and was later featured during a Super Bowl commercial, virtually blew up overnight. Over the next six weeks, “We Are Young” would rule the airwaves and eventually sell over 5 million digital singles, certifying it quintuple platinum. But if the Grammy’s were handed out based upon sales, then Carly Rae and Psy would rise to the top. Thankfully that is not the case, and talent is taken into account at these award shows – the majority of the time. Lyrically, the song is beautifully simplistic with lead singer, Nate Ruess, crooning about their limited youth over an echoing choir lead by previous Best-New-Artist-winner, Janelle Monae. This song has all the telltales of a Grammy winner; small beginnings, little-known band, and it doesn’t hurt that a previous Grammy nominee/winner is featured on the track.

Album Of The Year: Channel Orange – Frank Ocean, André 3000, John Mayer & Earl Sweatshirt, featured artists; Om’Mas Keith, Malay, Frank Ocean & Pharrell, producers; Calvin Bailif, Andrew Coleman, Jeff Ellis, Doug Fenske, Om’Mas Keith, Malay, Frank Ocean, Philip Scott, Mark “Spike” Stent, Pat Thrall, Marcos Tovar & Vic Wainstein, engineers/mixers; Vlado Meller, mastering engineer

Album of the Year is not only the most prestigious award at the Grammys, it’s the most closely contested category. With names such as Jack White, Mumford & Sons and the Black Keys in the mix who would think that Frank Ocean would win. Not you? Well you should. Channel Orange is one of the most unique and introspective albums that has been released in recent history. From the start to finish, Ocean delivers his message in ways never before heard by the masses. His gentle voice over simple piano notes reminds some of Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles. But in the process of breaking all barriers, Ocean brings along fellow Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt for a feature with some other semi-known artists named Andre 3000 and John Mayer. Even if someone were to disregard all features, the album is perfection from “Start,” a non-musical intro, all that way to “Pyramids,” a 10 minute long ballad, down to the finish.

Best New Artist: Hunter Hayes

The Grammys are infamous for snubbing the most talented new musicians almost every year. This year Frank Ocean should hands down be the winner, no questions asked. From his beginnings of recording a mixtape without the aid of his major label, down to his debut album revealing his most inner arcane secrets, Ocean has all the qualities of a winner. Sadly this award will most likely go to Hunter Hayes, a 21 year-old Louisiana native whose self-entitled debut album earned him a nod for Best Country album at this years Grammys. Hayes is extremely talented, having co-wrote and played each instrument on the album, but is his work really anything groundbreaking? Unfortunately not but that’s just how the Grammys do things.

Other Predictions:

Song Of the Year: “We Are Young” – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe)

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Set Fire To The Rain [Live]” – Adele, Track from: Live At The Royal Albert Hall [XL/Columbia]

Best Rock Performance: “We Take Care Of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen, Track from: Wrecking Ball [Columbia Records]

Best Rock Song: “Lonely Boy” – Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton & Patrick Carney, songwriters (The Black Keys)

Best Rock Album: El Camino – The Black Keys [Nonesuch]

Best Alternative Music Album: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona Apple [Epic/Clean Slate]

Best Rap Performance: “Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West, Track from: Watch The Throne [Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC]

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Cherry Wine” – Nas featuring Amy Winehouse, Track from: Life Is Good [Def Jam]

Best Rap Song: “Paris” – Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis & Kanye West, songwriters (W.A. Donaldson, songwriter) (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best Rap Album: Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 – Lupe Fiasco [Atlantic]

Best Comedy Album: Blow Your Pants Off – Jimmy Fallon [Warner Bros. Records/LoudMouth Entertainment]