Muse predicts: the 66th grammys

After an insane year of new releases, breakout artists, and incredibly entertaining X (Twitter) feuds, the red carpet is ready to be rolled out for music’s most prestigious night of the year—the Grammy Awards. As the world waits to see if sweet ol’ Noah Kahan will win his first Grammy after skyrocketing to stardom, and if the creator of coquette, Lana Del Rey, will win Album of the Year, MUSE’s Music Team is here to tell you what we think will go down at the Crypto.com Arena on February 4th. 

Here are the categories to watch for, that will undoubtedly hold the most significance in the coming years. The Grammys are the breeding ground for iconic pop culture moments, and here is why. 

Album of the Year: The competition in this category is almost always the most intense, featuring either groundbreaking works or something that no one has heard of, let alone expects. 

Our Prediction: “SOS” by SZA

Best New Artist: As always, this category introduces us to the fresh faces and rising stars who are making waves in an industry already so convoluted. The Music Team predicts that this year's Best New Artist award will go to an artist who not only captivates with their talent, just when you’ve thought you’ve already seen it all. 

Our Prediction: Isis Naija Gaston or “Ice Spice”

Song of the Year: This category recognizes some pretty outstanding compositions that have resonated with audiences worldwide, or a man with a guitar. Our prediction for the standout song of the year reflects a combination of chart success and critical acclaim. 

Our Prediction: “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish

Record of the Year: Do not get it twisted, the Record of the Year category is distinct from Song of the Year. It focuses on the overall production, including performance, engineering, and mastering. Our prediction for this category goes to a track that not only boasts an unforgettable melody and lyrics but also houses exceptional production quality. 

Our Prediction: “Kill Bill” by SZA

Producer of the Year: Producers are the visionaries, shaping the entire landscape of an artist's work. The Music Team predicts that this year's Producer of the Year will be someone who has demonstrated unparalleled skill in bringing out the best in diverse musical projects, marking their territory in the studio. Jack Antonoff, we love you!

Our Prediction: Jack Antonoff

Best Pop Dance Recording: Here, we’re talking about infectious beats and rhythms that get people dancing, for hours. We predict that this year's award will go to a track that not only dominated the dance charts but also pushed a lot of the boundaries that close pop and dance genres off, delivering something electrifying and memorable.

Our Prediction: “Rush” by Troye Sivan

Best Rock Song: Rock music continues to evolve and never really stops evolving at that. No, we weren’t looking for something your dad listens to. This category celebrates some of the best songwriting within the genre, and in music more broadly. For this reason, our prediction for Best Rock Song is a track that not only captures the essence of a rebellious spirit but also showcases excellence in songwriting, and strong instrumentation. 

Our Prediction: “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius

Best Rock Album: Likewise, the Best Rock Album category honors the artists who have delivered exceptional bodies of work in rock with consistently immaculate instrumentals and lyrics. We predict that this year's award will go to an album that not only headbangs hard but also demonstrates innovation for an older set of music. 

Our Prediction: “This is Why” by Paramore

Best Alternative Performance: Alternative music was born out of the practice of nonconformity. It has always been the spot of innovation and sonic exploration. The Music Team predicts that the award for Best Alternative Performance will go to a track that stands as a testament to the continued evolution of alternative music, cool sounds, and challenging the status quo.

Our Prediction: “A&W” by Lana Del Rey

Best Alternative Album: The Best Alternative Album category celebrates the artists who have pushed the envelope. They’re iconic, they make iconic music, and keep on getting better. We predict that this year's award will go to an album that holds a diverse range of influences, but also delivers a cohesive and immersive listening experience. This album is a shining example of the creativity that defines the alternative genre. Also, she’s a legend in the making.

Our Prediction: “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Rey

Best R&B Song: R&B continues to be a genre of emotional depth and soulful expression. In line with this, our prediction for the Best R&B Song is a track that not only features captivating rhythm, but a testament to all those before it. 

Our Prediction: “Snooze” by SZA

Best R&B Album: The Best R&B Album category celebrates excellence in the broader scope of R&B projects. Our prediction is that this year's award will go to an album with stellar and deep vocal performances, but also explores the diversity in sound and beat that R&B is loved for.

Our Prediction: “JAGUAR II” by Victoria Monét

Best Rap Song: Rap is arguably the most powerful force in contemporary music. Everything is dependent on its delivery, timing, and articulation. The Music Team predicts that this year's award will go to a track that is littered with impressive wordplay, flow, and criticality. 

Our Prediction: “Rich Flex” by Drake and 21 Savage

Best Rap Album: The Best Rap Album category honors the artists who have delivered outstanding work in the rap genre. We predict that this year's award will go to an album that not only boasts lyrical prowess and innovation but also changes the game for hip-hop in general.

Our Prediction: “HEROES & VILLAINS” by Metro Boomin

Best Country Song: We are a music team that celebrates country music, as it continues to tell stories of life, love, and letting the liquor talk. This award deserves to go to a track that twangs, that delivers those cute and lovely little lines, and that will encourage people to line up for two hours at the Ale House on a Tuesday. 

Our Prediction: “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves

Best Country Album: Tumble today, Tumble tomorrow, Tumble forever. 

Our Prediction: “Zach Bryan” by Zach Bryan

Best Music Video: Welcome to the age of visual storytelling. Our prediction for Best Music Video is a visual component that not only complements the song but is also something we’ve never seen before. Bonus points if the star of the video goes to Queen’s University, and blows up Drake’s car (wink). 

Our Prediction: “Rush” by Troye Sivan

We have a lot of confidence that we’ll get at least 10/17 of these categories right. The MUSE Music Team understands that it is often hard to predict things like the Grammys, because, like most other things in the entertainment industry, there are a plethora of factors that impact someone’s fame, influence, and reach. From the Barbie movie, to the Troye Sivan epidemic, we believe that music does house a lot of the cultural significance that we’ve endured over the past year, and our predictions reflect that. Noah Kahan son, or Ice Spice daughter? 

Thank you to the MUSE Music team for compiling these predictions.