Grammys 2022 Nominees: My Thoughts
Earlier this week, the official nominations for the 2022 Grammy Awards were finally revealed, and even if you think the Grammys aren’t hot shit anymore, I think it’s a big deal for newer artists. Having that ‘Grammy-nominated’ or ‘Grammy-winning’ stamp in front of your name is huge for smaller artists or artists who haven’t won Grammys yet. So, I’m gonna go through every major category and the categories I care about and list the nominees, who I think should win, and what I think will win in said category. Let’s get into it.
Album of the Year
Jon Batiste - WE ARE
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Justin Bieber - Justice
Doja Cat - Planet Her
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Lil Nas X - MONTERO
Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR
Taylor Swift - Evermore
Kanye West - Donda
What Will Win?: SOUR
What Should Win?: Donda or MONTERO
Record of the Year
ABBA - “I Still Have Faith in You”
Jon Batiste - “Freedom”
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
Brandi Carlile - “Right on Time”
Doja Cat feat. SZA - “Kiss Me More”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Lil Nas X - “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drivers license”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
What Will Win?: “Happier Than Ever”
What Should Win?: “Leave the Door Open”
Song of the Year
Ed Sheeran - “Bad Habits”
Alicia Keys feat. Brandi Carlile - “A Beautiful Noise”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drivers license”
H.E.R. - “Fight for You”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Doja Cat feat. SZA - “Kiss Me More”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
Lil Nas X - “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
Brandi Carlile - “Right on Time”
What Will Win?: “drivers license”
What Should Win?: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
What Will Win?: Olivia Rodrigo
What Should Win?: Baby Keem or Olivia Rodrigo
Best Rap Album
J. Cole - The Off-Season
Drake - Certified Lover Boy
Nas - King’s Disease 2
Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Kanye West - Donda
What Will Win?: Donda
What Should Win?: CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Best Pop Vocal Album
Justin Bieber - Justice
Doja Cat - Planet Her
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande - positions
Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR
What Will Win?: SOUR
What Should Win?: Happier Than Ever
Best Rock Album
AC/DC - Power Up
Black Pumas - Capitol Cuts - Live From Studio A
Chris Cornell - No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight
Paul McCartney - McCartney III
What Will Win?: Medicine at Midnight
What Should Win?: No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Best Alternative Music Album
Fleet Foxes - Shore
Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
What Will Win?: Jubilee or Collapsed in Sunbeams
What Should Win?: Daddy’s Home
Best Progressive R&B Album
Eric Bellinger - New Light
Cory Henry - Something to Say
Hiatus Kaiyote - Mood Valiant
Lucky Daye - Table for Two
Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington - Dinner Party: Desert
Masego - Studying Abroad: Extended Stay
What Will Win?: Mood Valiant
What Should Win?: Dinner Party: Desert
Best R&B Album
Snoh Aalegra - Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
Jon Batiste - WE ARE
Leon Bridges - Gold-Diggers Sound
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
What Will Win?: WE ARE
What Should Win?: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies or Heaux Tales
Best Rap Performance
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar - “Family Ties”
Cardi B - “Up”
J. Cole feat. 21 Savage & Morray – “My Life”
Drake feat. Future & Young Thug - “Way 2 Sexy”
Megan Thee Stallion - “Thot Shit”
What Will Win?: “Family Ties”
What Should Win?: “Family Ties”
Best Melodic Rap Performance
J. Cole, Lil Baby - “Pride Is the Devil”
Doja Cat - “Need to Know”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow - “Industry Baby”
Tyler, the Creator feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign - “WUSYANAME”
Kanye West feat. The Weeknd & Lil Baby - “Hurricane”
What Will Win?: “Hurricane” or “Industry Baby”
What Should Win?: “WUSYANAME”
Best Rap Song
DMX feat. Jay-Z & Nas - “Bath Salts”
Saweetie feat. Doja Cat - “Best Friend”
Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar - “Family Ties”
Kanye West feat. Jay-Z - “Jail”
J. Cole feat. 21 Savage & Morray – “My Life”
What Will Win?: “My Life"
What Should Win?: “Jail” or “Family Ties”
Best Rock Performance
AC/DC - “Shot in the Dark”
Black Pumas - “Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)”
Chris Cornell - “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Deftones - “Ohms”
Foo Fighters - “Making a Fire”
What Will Win?: “Shot in the Dark”
What Should Win?: “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Best Metal Performance
Deftones - “Genesis”
Dream Theater - “The Alien”
Gojira - “Amazonia”
Mastodon - “Pushing the Tides”
Rob Zombie - “The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)”
What Will Win?: “Amazonia”
What Should Win?: “Amazonia”
Best Rock Song
Weezer - “All My Favorite Songs”
Kings of Leon - “The Bandit”
Mammoth WVH - “Distance”
Paul McCartney - “Find My Way”
Foo Fighters - “Waiting on a War”
What Will Win?: “Waiting on a War”
What Should Win?: “Find My Way”
Best R&B Performance
Snoh Aalegra - “Lost You”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
H.E.R. - “Damage”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
Jazmine Sullivan - “Pick Up Your Feelings”
What Will Win?: “Leave the Door Open”
What Should Win?: “Lost You” or “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Jon Batiste - “I Need You”
BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, Kenyon Dixon & Charlie Bereal - “Bring It on Home”
Leon Bridges & Robert Glasper - “Born Again”
H.E.R. - “Fight for You”
Lucky Daye feat. Yebba - “How Much Can a Heart Take”
What Will Win?: “Fight for You"
What Should Win?: “Born Again”
Best R&B Song
H.E.R. - “Damage”
SZA - “Good Days”
Giveon - “Heartbreak Anniversary”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
Jazmine Sullivan - “Pick Up Your Feelings”
What Will Win?: “Leave the Door Open”
What Should Win?: “Heartbreak Anniversary” or “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Best Pop Solo Performance
Justin Bieber - “Anyone”
Brandi Carlile - “Right on Time”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Ariana Grande - “Positions”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drivers license”
What Will Win?: “drivers license”
What Should Win?: “Happier Than Ever”
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Justin Bieber feat. Benny Blanco - “Lonely”
BTS - “Butter”
Coldplay - “Higher Power”
Doja Cat feat. SZA - “Kiss Me More”
What Will Win?: “Kiss Me More”
What Should Win?: “Kiss Me More”
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Cruella
Dear Evan Hansen
In The Heights
One Night In Miami...
Respect
Schmigadoon! Episode 1
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
What Will Win?: One Night In Miami...
What Should Win?: One Night In Miami...
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
Kris Bowers - Bridgerton
Album of the Year
Jon Batiste - WE ARE
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
Justin Bieber - Justice
Doja Cat - Planet Her
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Lil Nas X - MONTERO
Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR
Taylor Swift - Evermore
Kanye West - Donda
What Will Win?: SOUR
What Should Win?: Donda or MONTERO
Record of the Year
ABBA - “I Still Have Faith in You”
Jon Batiste - “Freedom”
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
Brandi Carlile - “Right on Time”
Doja Cat feat. SZA - “Kiss Me More”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Lil Nas X - “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drivers license”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
What Will Win?: “Happier Than Ever”
What Should Win?: “Leave the Door Open”
Song of the Year
Ed Sheeran - “Bad Habits”
Alicia Keys feat. Brandi Carlile - “A Beautiful Noise”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drivers license”
H.E.R. - “Fight for You”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Doja Cat feat. SZA - “Kiss Me More”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
Lil Nas X - “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
Brandi Carlile - “Right on Time”
What Will Win?: “drivers license”
What Should Win?: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
What Will Win?: Olivia Rodrigo
What Should Win?: Baby Keem or Olivia Rodrigo
Best Rap Album
J. Cole - The Off-Season
Drake - Certified Lover Boy
Nas - King’s Disease 2
Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Kanye West - Donda
What Will Win?: Donda
What Should Win?: CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Best Pop Vocal Album
Justin Bieber - Justice
Doja Cat - Planet Her
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande - positions
Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR
What Will Win?: SOUR
What Should Win?: Happier Than Ever
Best Rock Album
AC/DC - Power Up
Black Pumas - Capitol Cuts - Live From Studio A
Chris Cornell - No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight
Paul McCartney - McCartney III
What Will Win?: Medicine at Midnight
What Should Win?: No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Best Alternative Music Album
Fleet Foxes - Shore
Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
What Will Win?: Jubilee or Collapsed in Sunbeams
What Should Win?: Daddy’s Home
Best Progressive R&B Album
Eric Bellinger - New Light
Cory Henry - Something to Say
Hiatus Kaiyote - Mood Valiant
Lucky Daye - Table for Two
Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington - Dinner Party: Desert
Masego - Studying Abroad: Extended Stay
What Will Win?: Mood Valiant
What Should Win?: Dinner Party: Desert
Best R&B Album
Snoh Aalegra - Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
Jon Batiste - WE ARE
Leon Bridges - Gold-Diggers Sound
H.E.R. - Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
What Will Win?: WE ARE
What Should Win?: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies or Heaux Tales
Best Rap Performance
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar - “Family Ties”
Cardi B - “Up”
J. Cole feat. 21 Savage & Morray – “My Life”
Drake feat. Future & Young Thug - “Way 2 Sexy”
Megan Thee Stallion - “Thot Shit”
What Will Win?: “Family Ties”
What Should Win?: “Family Ties”
Best Melodic Rap Performance
J. Cole, Lil Baby - “Pride Is the Devil”
Doja Cat - “Need to Know”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow - “Industry Baby”
Tyler, the Creator feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign - “WUSYANAME”
Kanye West feat. The Weeknd & Lil Baby - “Hurricane”
What Will Win?: “Hurricane” or “Industry Baby”
What Should Win?: “WUSYANAME”
Best Rap Song
DMX feat. Jay-Z & Nas - “Bath Salts”
Saweetie feat. Doja Cat - “Best Friend”
Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar - “Family Ties”
Kanye West feat. Jay-Z - “Jail”
J. Cole feat. 21 Savage & Morray – “My Life”
What Will Win?: “My Life"
What Should Win?: “Jail” or “Family Ties”
Best Rock Performance
AC/DC - “Shot in the Dark”
Black Pumas - “Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)”
Chris Cornell - “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Deftones - “Ohms”
Foo Fighters - “Making a Fire”
What Will Win?: “Shot in the Dark”
What Should Win?: “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Best Metal Performance
Deftones - “Genesis”
Dream Theater - “The Alien”
Gojira - “Amazonia”
Mastodon - “Pushing the Tides”
Rob Zombie - “The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)”
What Will Win?: “Amazonia”
What Should Win?: “Amazonia”
Best Rock Song
Weezer - “All My Favorite Songs”
Kings of Leon - “The Bandit”
Mammoth WVH - “Distance”
Paul McCartney - “Find My Way”
Foo Fighters - “Waiting on a War”
What Will Win?: “Waiting on a War”
What Should Win?: “Find My Way”
Best R&B Performance
Snoh Aalegra - “Lost You”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
H.E.R. - “Damage”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
Jazmine Sullivan - “Pick Up Your Feelings”
What Will Win?: “Leave the Door Open”
What Should Win?: “Lost You” or “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Jon Batiste - “I Need You”
BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, Kenyon Dixon & Charlie Bereal - “Bring It on Home”
Leon Bridges & Robert Glasper - “Born Again”
H.E.R. - “Fight for You”
Lucky Daye feat. Yebba - “How Much Can a Heart Take”
What Will Win?: “Fight for You"
What Should Win?: “Born Again”
Best R&B Song
H.E.R. - “Damage”
SZA - “Good Days”
Giveon - “Heartbreak Anniversary”
Silk Sonic - “Leave the Door Open”
Jazmine Sullivan - “Pick Up Your Feelings”
What Will Win?: “Leave the Door Open”
What Should Win?: “Heartbreak Anniversary” or “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Best Pop Solo Performance
Justin Bieber - “Anyone”
Brandi Carlile - “Right on Time”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Ariana Grande - “Positions”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drivers license”
What Will Win?: “drivers license”
What Should Win?: “Happier Than Ever”
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Justin Bieber feat. Benny Blanco - “Lonely”
BTS - “Butter”
Coldplay - “Higher Power”
Doja Cat feat. SZA - “Kiss Me More”
What Will Win?: “Kiss Me More”
What Should Win?: “Kiss Me More”
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Cruella
Dear Evan Hansen
In The Heights
One Night In Miami...
Respect
Schmigadoon! Episode 1
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
What Will Win?: One Night In Miami...
What Should Win?: One Night In Miami...
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
Kris Bowers - Bridgerton
Hans Zimmer - Dune
Ludwig Göransson - The Mandalorian: Season 2 - Vol. 2 (Chapters 13-16)
Carlos Rafael Rivera - The Queen’s Gambit
Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Soul
What Will Win?: The Mandalorian: Season 2 - Vol. 2 (Chapters 13-16)
What Should Win?: Dune
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez - “Agatha All Along” [WandaVision]
Bo Burnham - “All Eyes on Me” [Inside]
P!nk - “All I Know So Far” [Pink: All I Know So Far]
H.E.R. - “Fight for You” [Judas and The Black Messiah]
Jennifer Hudson - “Here I Am” [Respect]
Leslie Odom, Jr. - “Speak Now” [One Night in Miami…]
What Will Win?: “All Eyes on Me”
What Should Win?: “All Eyes on Me”
Best Music Film
Bo Burnham - Inside
David Byrne - David Byrne’s American Utopia
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter to Los Angeles)
Jimi Hendrix - Music, Money, Madness…Jimi Hendrix in Maui
Questlove - Summer of Soul
What Will Win?: Inside
What Should Win?: Inside
Best Music Video
AC/DC - “Shot in the Dark”
Jon Batiste - “Freedom”
Tony Bennet & Lady Gaga - “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Lil Nas X - “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
What Will Win?: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
What Should Win?: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Overall, I think that the Grammys played it pretty safe this time around. I do think the biggest snub this time around is Bo Burnham’s Inside and its soundtrack, which at least deserved Album of the Year. The other things are very underground stuff that I knew would never get nominated at the Grammys. Obviously, seeing BTS getting snubbed again is a little upsetting, but are we truly surprised? Snubs happen all of the time, it is what it is. Outside of those things, I’m oddly satisfied with the choices. I was expecting some left-field choice in the general fields, and I guess Jon Batiste fulfilled that, even if he has the most nominations out of every single person this year. Congrats to Batiste and every other nominee involved, even if I didn’t list the small categories.
Click here to see a list of albums that I’ve reviewed for this year’s Grammys, and it will constantly be updated until the ceremony happens on January 31. If you see the list, yes, Fine Line did get a nomination this year somehow, so it’s on here.
What Will Win?: The Mandalorian: Season 2 - Vol. 2 (Chapters 13-16)
What Should Win?: Dune
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez - “Agatha All Along” [WandaVision]
Bo Burnham - “All Eyes on Me” [Inside]
P!nk - “All I Know So Far” [Pink: All I Know So Far]
H.E.R. - “Fight for You” [Judas and The Black Messiah]
Jennifer Hudson - “Here I Am” [Respect]
Leslie Odom, Jr. - “Speak Now” [One Night in Miami…]
What Will Win?: “All Eyes on Me”
What Should Win?: “All Eyes on Me”
Best Music Film
Bo Burnham - Inside
David Byrne - David Byrne’s American Utopia
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter to Los Angeles)
Jimi Hendrix - Music, Money, Madness…Jimi Hendrix in Maui
Questlove - Summer of Soul
What Will Win?: Inside
What Should Win?: Inside
Best Music Video
AC/DC - “Shot in the Dark”
Jon Batiste - “Freedom”
Tony Bennet & Lady Gaga - “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Cesar & Giveon - “Peaches”
Billie Eilish - “Happier Than Ever”
Lil Nas X - “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
What Will Win?: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
What Should Win?: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”
Overall, I think that the Grammys played it pretty safe this time around. I do think the biggest snub this time around is Bo Burnham’s Inside and its soundtrack, which at least deserved Album of the Year. The other things are very underground stuff that I knew would never get nominated at the Grammys. Obviously, seeing BTS getting snubbed again is a little upsetting, but are we truly surprised? Snubs happen all of the time, it is what it is. Outside of those things, I’m oddly satisfied with the choices. I was expecting some left-field choice in the general fields, and I guess Jon Batiste fulfilled that, even if he has the most nominations out of every single person this year. Congrats to Batiste and every other nominee involved, even if I didn’t list the small categories.
Click here to see a list of albums that I’ve reviewed for this year’s Grammys, and it will constantly be updated until the ceremony happens on January 31. If you see the list, yes, Fine Line did get a nomination this year somehow, so it’s on here.
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