Grammy nominations will be announced tonight. There have been quite a few category changes in the last couple years and, to be honest, I’m not sure if most of the changes have been fair or make sense, particularly for a year like 2013. One such change: making Grammy categories genderless. If ever there were a year where gender separation made sense, it’d be this one. This year, there have been too many great songs to whittle down and pit into a single category of five or six.
Because of this, I’m going to guess that this year’s Grammy choices will mostly be about popularity rather than quality. There just won't be enough categories to nominate the lesser known stuff. Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Jay Z, and Katy Perry will reap nominations for sure. But I wonder if acts like Rhye, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Tamar Braxton, Haim, and Sara Bareilles will be recognized. The Grammy’s are notorious for honoring the obscure artist from time to time, but those with bigger names have made much bigger splashes this year than ever before so I don’t see that happening this go around.
Below are my choices for the best in music of 2013. For the first time, I don’t think there is a clear frontrunner for most of the categories so I’ll list multiple “winners” instead.
Album of the Year
The Heist. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
With three hit singles so far, this has proven to be the best hip-hop album of the year. Forget Kanye West's "Yeezus." This is it. This independently produced album has made a great impact critically, socially, and commercially and for good reason.
Honorable Mention: "The Blessed Unrest" by Sara Bareilles. It's this year's "21" in my opinion. The album is amazing from start to finish.
Record of the Year
"Brave" – Sara Bareilles.
The song is an anthem for those of us who need a little push to be, well, brave. It’s an encouraging song that’s catchy, beautiful, and quite frankly a major step away from the trendy stuff on radio—and thank God for that. Say what you will about Katy Perry’s “Roar” but this came first.
Honorable Mentions:
“We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus—the girl acts like a joke but her music is incredible. There’s no way industry folks will nominate this song for Record of the Year but let’s be honest: it’s a great jam and deserves some kudos, in spite of its subject matter. It’s a shame Miley’s crazy stage antics take away from her good voice.
"Gorilla" by Bruno Mars—this is another one with very daring lyrics. Singing about sex and drug use is popular this year, apparently. Still, together with his voice and great music, it's a powerful song. It's honest, too.
“Royals” by Lorde—was there a bigger song this year? She’s the anti-Miley outcast hero voice of her generation. (Actually, I’m much older and I think she’s the voice of me as well.) She’s essentially 17 going on 105, with wisdom and courage to boot.
“Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis w/ Wanz—a funny, intelligent, and hip-hop masterpiece.
Song of the Year
"Brave" – Sara Bareilles.
The words are important at a time when bullying is so popular in America.
Best New Artist
Tamar Braxton, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Rhye, Phillip Phillips, and Lorde are my favorite new artists this year.
Best Pop Solo Performance
"Brave" – Sara Bareilles.
Honorable Mention: "Blurred Lines" – Robin Thicke
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"The Fall" – Rhye
Honorable Mention: "Don't Save Me" – Haim
Best Pop Vocal Album
"The Blessed Unrest" – Sara Bareilles
Best Dance Recording
"Applause" – Lady Gaga
Honorable Mention: "Clarity" – Zedd w/ Foxes
Best Rock Performance
"Still Into You" – Paramore
Best R&B Performance
"Love & War" – Tamar Braxton
Honorable Mention: "Side Effects of You" and "Lose to Win" – Fantasia
Best R&B Album
"Love & War" – Tamar Braxton
Seriously, this is the best R&B album I've heard in a very long time.
Best Rap Performance
"Thrift Shop" – Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Rap/Sung Collaboration
"Same Love" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis w/ Mary Lambert
Best Latin Pop, Rock, or Urban Album
"3.0" – Marc Anthony
Producer of the Year
Ryan Lewis
