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And The Winner is... The 43rd Grammy Awards, honoring excellence in music, will air live at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Channel 11 (CBS). The award show will feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Eminem, Madonna, N’Sync and U2. Below is a sneak preview of the nominations as well as predictions for some of the major awards: |
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His Prediction By David Reese Nominees
for Album of the Year
One of the most disappointing categories of the evening is leaning towards the foul-mouthed white rapper, Eminem. With one of the most critically and commercially praised albums of the year, Eminem should win this award with his eyes closed. Should win:
Eminem “The Marshall Mathers LP” Nominees
for Record of the Year
This category is probably the hardest to predict. All of the tracks are quite deserving. I believe Macy Gray’s song is just too old to be remembered. N’Sync had a catchy tune with “Bye Bye Bye,” but it is not the type of song that wins record of the year. Destiny’s Child had a triumphant year, but the Academy rarely recognizes an R&B group. Both Madonna and U2 are well-liked but U2 has more credibility which will help them garner this award. Should win:
Madonna “Music” Nominees for Best New Artist
One word: Who? I know this category is for best new artists, but who has ever heard of these people? Although I do not believe he is the best on this list, Sisqo will take home the Grammy for the simple fact that he is the most known artist in the category. Should win:
Jill Scott
Another hard category to predict. I think Don Henley and Steely Dan will cancel out the old-timer vote unless they rally around one of the nominees. Madonna, N’Sync, and Britney Spears all had popular and well-received albums. My assumption is that the youngsters will cancel each other out, and this award will be Madonna’s consolation prize for not winning record of the year. Should win:
Madonna “Music”
Although these are all great artists, none of their albums are strong rock albums. I think Foo Fighters had the strongest rock album, but the Grammys love Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. Should win:
Foo Fighters “There is Nothing Left to Lose”
This is a great R&B category with all of the key elements. Sisqo and Joe will cancel each other out. Boyz II Men are no longer what they were. Jill Scott could be this year’s Lauryn Hill or Erykah Badu, but I highly doubt it. The battle will be between Toni Braxton and D’Angelo with D’Angelo still standing. His album was fresh and, more importantly, overlooked for Album of the Year category which should yield him this prize. Should win:
D’Angelo “Voodoo”
A very good variety of popular rap music. The category comes down to two artists: Eminem and Dr. Dre. If Eminem wins, then Dr. Dre will win as well since he is the producer of Eminem’s album. This leads me to believe that the award will be given to Eminem because both artists will be rewarded with a Grammy. Should win:
Dr. Dre “Dr. Dre — 2001” Nominees for Best Country Album
None of these albums are true country albums. Most of them have a pop influence. Womack’s album was more inspiring with better writing and producing, but no one can deny that 2000 was the year of Faith Hill. She should be a lock for this award, but stranger things have happened in the past, including the Dixie Chicks winning the category over Shania Twain in 1998. Should win:
Lee Ann Womack “I Hope You Dance”
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Her Prediction By Emily E.
Ward Nominees for Album of the Year Beck “Midnite Vultures” Eminem “The Marshall Mathers LP” Radiohead “Kid A” Paul Simon “You’re the One” Steely Dan “Two Against Nature” The past year in music must have been a little lacking if these are considered some of the best albums of the year. Freedom of speech advocates should be glowing on Grammy night when the quite predictable winner Eminem takes the stage. I would like to see Beck win simply because he has some talent. Should win:
Beck “Midnite Vultures”
Picking Madonna as the winner above U2 is mainly the result of a coin flip, because both artists have equal probabilities of winning the Grammy. Macy Gray’s hit is a little too old to get the nod, and if ‘N SYNC wins the award, I think I will have a mild heart attack. As for Destiny’s Child, the group is talented and adored enough, but winning just doesn’t seem likely for them. Should win:
U2 “Beautiful Day”
Who are these people? These artists are not new — they are unrecognizable. Sisqo is the only one whose name makes me think of the music industry. It may be a good idea to watch the Grammys just so you can put a face to an unfamiliar name. Should win:
Sisqo
Madonna pretty much blows the rest of the nominees in this category out of the water. As much of an Eagle’s fan I am, I have to say I was not very impressed with Don Henley’s newest album. And as for Steely Dan ... he wasn’t even deserving of an award back in the 70s and 80s. Britney Spears and ‘N SYNC may be popular to tons of screaming fans, but popularity should not override depth and talent (two traits Madonna has had since she was a material girl in the 80s). Should win:
Madonna “Music”
The Grammy wrangle in this category won’t be too bloody since none of the nominations are really worth fighting for. Rage Against the Machine is probably the only group in this category who puts extensive intelligence and meaning into their lyrics, but they are not exactly a Grammy favorite. I have heard many good things about Matchbox Twenty’s new album, and next to all the others, the Academy is more likely to lean toward this alternative-style album. Should win:
Rage Against the Machine “Battle of Los Angeles”
Although I am no expert when it comes to the R&B category, I am almost positive D’Angelo will be taking stage as the Grammy winner. The “Boyz” are old men by now, so they are not edgy enough, and Jill Scott is just below the level that she needs to take the prize. Should win:
D’Angelo “Voodoo”
If Eminem is predicted to win album of the year, it seems rather likely that he would take another Grammy within album’s specific category. Good things have been said about the Dr. Dre album, but it does not stand out enough to be chosen over all the others. Should win:
Eminem “The Marshall Mathers LP”
Alan Jackson’s album is the only one in this category that is pure country. Looking at all the others, it’s easy to see that our culture is being raided by pop music. Faith Hill, who was the woman of the year in music, will take away the Grammy without a lot of competition. Lee Ann Womack’s nomination is well-deserved, but nobody can deny the power of Faith. Should win:
Lee Ann Womack “I Hope You Dance” |
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