Predictions for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards: Miley Cyrus, SZA, and Taylor Swift Among Top Contenders
The 66th annual Grammy Awards are just around the corner, and this year’s lineup is nothing short of eclectic. With artists like SZA, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Miley Cyrus dominating the top categories, it’s safe to say that we won’t see a clean sweep by any one artist. The album of the year category is particularly noteworthy, as it features an unprecedented number of female artists. It’s highly likely that one of them will take home the award, unless Jon Batiste surprises us all, just like he did two years ago.
The winners will be revealed on Sunday during the live broadcast of the Grammys, which will be hosted by Trevor Noah for the fourth time. The event will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and will be aired on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. EST/5 PST.
Let’s dive into our predictions for the top categories:
Record of the Year: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
It’s about time Miley Cyrus receives the recognition she deserves. Despite her immense popularity and consistent presence on the charts, she has never won a Grammy. “Flowers” was one of the longest-running No. 1 singles of 2023, according to Billboard. It revitalized Cyrus’ career after a couple of albums that didn’t quite hit the mark. The song’s uncluttered production allows Cyrus’ powerful vocals to shine, accompanied by a pulsing melody and lyrics that celebrate self-reliance without any snark. While SZA’s revenge fantasy anthem “Kill Bill” may give “Flowers” a run for its money, we predict that Cyrus will finally take home her well-deserved Grammy.
Album of the Year: “SOS” by SZA
With a leading nine nominations, SZA is undoubtedly a strong contender in the most prestigious category. Her sophomore release is a genre-busting journey that seamlessly blends pop/rock and R&B, with soulful samples and unvarnished lyrics. The album showcases SZA’s versatility and artistry, making it a worthy winner. However, Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” shouldn’t be overlooked. While it may not be her most consistently dazzling work, it’s undeniably deserving of recognition. If Swift wins, she will break the record for the most Album of the Year wins, currently held by Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder.
Song of the Year: “What Was I Made For?” (From The Motion Picture “Barbie”) by Billie Eilish
The front-runner for an Oscar next month for Best Original Song, “What Was I Made For?” is a delicate and introspective ballad that tugs at the heartstrings. Written for the movie “Barbie,” it beautifully captures the essence of the film’s most touching scenes. Billie Eilish’s authenticity shines through in this whispery sad song about feelings, making it a strong contender for Song of the Year. However, Taylor Swift’s catchy and off-kilter “Anti-Hero” shouldn’t be underestimated. Swift is the most nominated artist to have never won Song of the Year, and the Grammys might want to rectify that this year.
Best New Artist: Jelly Roll
The Best New Artist category is always a tough one to predict, as it often raises questions about the definition of a “new artist.” This year’s nominees are particularly impressive, but we believe Jelly Roll will come out on top. With his ability to seamlessly blend country, rock, and hip-hop, he is undoubtedly the most versatile artist in the lineup. However, songwriter-turned-R&B-solo-star Victoria Monét and the understated folk-pop artist Noah Kahan shouldn’t be counted out. Monét had a breakout year, earning nominations in seven categories, while Kahan’s collaborations with high-profile artists like Post Malone and Kacey Musgraves have garnered attention. Nevertheless, Jelly Roll’s triumph over adversity makes his success even more remarkable.
The 66th Annual Grammy Awards promise to be a night filled with surprises and well-deserved recognition. Tune in on Sunday to see if our predictions come true and to celebrate the incredible talent that graces the music industry.