On February 2, some of the biggest and best stars in the music industry will be stepping out for the 67th annual Grammy Awards. While the Grammys have had their fair share of criticisms and controversies, causing some artists like the Weeknd to boycott the event altogether, they remain some of the most coveted and prestigious awards in music. With the ceremony just a few short weeks away, I thought it would be fun to share my predictions for the Big 4 categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Album of the Year. It is certainly a tough competition this year, so please enjoy my humble predictions, hopefully at least one is right.
Record of the Year
Nominees:
The Beatles – “Now and Then”
Beyoncé -“Texas Hold ’Em”
Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”
Charli XCX – “360”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – “Fortnight”
Not to be confused with Song of the Year, ROTC is an award recognizing the best production of a track, done by the not only artist themself, but the producers and sound engineers. In my opinion, “Now and Then” is the clear winner in this category. A new Beatles song in 2025 certainly came as a surprise to most audiences, but “Now and Then” is a touching and beautiful tribute to George Harrison and John Lennon. The song was first recorded in 1995, it was brought to life this year by new cutting edge recording technology, developed specifically for the track. While the use of AI in the song was controversial, it was only used to heighten Lennon’s vocals, not generate new audio. “Now and Then” is a feat of technical ingenuity, and in a category for music production, it deserves the win.
Song of the Year
Nominees:
Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Billie Eilish -“Birds of a Feather”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
Taylor Swift – “Fortnight” [ft. Post Malone]
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Sabrina Carpenter -“Please Please Please”
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”
If “Espresso” had been nominated in this category, and not “Please Please Please” I would have said that Sabrina Carpenter was a shoe in for Song of the Year. But as it stands, I think the award will go to “Birds of a Feather.” The Grammys famously love brother-sister writing duo Billie Eilish and Finneas; she has won the category two times already. “Birds of a Feather” was the most streamed song on Spotify in 2024 and has maintained consistent radio play and charting since its release in October. While “Good Luck, Babe!” is also a strong contender, I do not think the Recording Academy will miss the chance to make Billie the first artist to win SOTY three times.
Best New Artist
Nominees:
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
RAYE
Chappell Roan
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
While this is a stacked category, I do not think there is any choice here but Chappell Roan. No artist this year has made such a great cultural impact as Roan, and so surprised an industry that never saw her coming. The Grammys love a good story, and Roan’s meteoric rise to superstardom after years of barely making an impact in music is a tale that writes itself. It’s almost unfortunate that Roan’s shine eclipses other artists nominated in the category; I do think in another year Doechii or Shaboozey could have won. But in 2025, the winner is clear and obvious: Chappell all the way.
Album of the Year
Nominees:
André 3000 – “New Blue Sun”
Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter”
Billie Eilish – “Hit Me Hard and Soft”
Chappell Roan – “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”
Charli XCX -“Brat”
Jacob Collier – “Djesse Vol. 4”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Short n’ Sweet”
Taylor Swift – “The Tortured Poets Department”
Now here is where it really gets divisive. In a year with so many pop albums nominated, the vote could get split and the award may go to André 3000 or more likely, Grammy favorite Jacob Collier. But the Recording Academy is well aware of certain optics, as well as their waning relevance and goodwill with audiences. Beyoncé, despite being the most awarded artist in Grammy history, has never won AOTY, a double standard that has been criticized by many, including her husband Jay-Z. “Cowboy Carter” was a career defining moment for Beyoncé, as she asserted her right as a Black female artist to hold space in the country music genre. With this album, she rose to new heights as an artist and performer and delivered a record that was truly groundbreaking. The Grammys would truly be fools to not give AOTY to “Cowboy Carter,” but then again, they were fools not to give it to “Renaissance” in 2023. However, I choose to believe that history will not repeat itself and Beyoncé will finally get the recognition she deserves this year.