The Grammy Awards claim to be music’s biggest night, an exciting spectacle of live performance and major upsets honoring the best in the biz. With 84 categories, it’s easy to get lost in the fanfare of an awards ceremony that is as self-congratulating -- members of The Academy, i.e., people who have won a Grammy previously or qualify as an industry professional -- as it is exhaustive, recognizing everything from Record of the Year to Best Album Notes.
This year’s ceremony, which airs on Sunday on CBS live from Los Angeles, promises some historic moments, including in memoriam tributes to Prince and George Michael, Katy Perry’s first performance of “Chained To The Rhythm,” her new song featuring Skip Marley, and a genre-scrambling union of Lady Gaga performing with Metallica.
For those who want to play catch up on a year of music or want a guide map of what to expect when it comes to the winners and losers, Vanyaland presents its prediction of the winners in 10 of the Grammys’ biggest categories.
Best Rock Performance
“Joe (Live From Austin City Limits)” by Alabama Shakes
“Don’t Hurt Yourself” by Beyoncé feat. Jack White
“Blackstar” by David Bowie
“The Sound Of Silence (Live On Conan)” by Disturbed
“Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots
Who Will Win: David Bowie. Plain and simple.
The Dark Horse: The fact that Beyoncé was nominated in a Best Rock Performance category is a testament to Bey’s reach and importance in 2016. It’s hard to ignore that Beyoncé didn’t play any of the instruments on “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” though. In a category traditionally reserved for musicians who sing and play, expect Brittany Howard’s powerful performance as leader of the Alabama Shakes to threaten even the brightest “Blackstar.”