The Grammys is the biggest event of the year in music and one of the most anticipated award shows each year, highlighting the wide variety of accomplishments in the music industry. This year’s nominees were announced on Friday, Nov. 8 and surprised many listeners around the globe. These nominations span over 93 vastly diverse categories like “Song of the Year” and “Best Instrumental Composition.” The panel of people that chooses these winners is composed of “venerable performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists, and other creators currently working in the recording industry,” as described by The Recording Academy (recordingacademy.com). So, let us check out a few on the list to see if your favorite artist made the cut.
Let us start with one of the most honorable Grammys one could win: “Album of the Year.” This year’s nominees for best album are New Blue Sun by André 3000, Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé, Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter, BRAT by Charli xcx, Djesse Vol. 4 by Jacob Collier, Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan, and The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift. When asked how she feels about Swift’s many nominations, freshman Amelia Nolan responded, “Taylor Swift has been my most-listened-to artist of these past two years, and I couldn’t be more proud to see the ‘end of an era’ end so positively with all of these nominations.” As for some artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, this is their first time being nominated for a Grammy as well as both being nominees in the “Best New Artist” category. “Short n’ Sweet is my favorite album, and I am so happy to see Sabrina get so many awards,” shared freshman Anabella Errico.
On the other hand, for artists like Swift, Jacob Collier, Charli xcx, André 3000, Beyonce, and Billie Ellish, this is not their first rodeo. For instance, Beyonce has allotted 32 Grammy wins, making her the most-awarded nominee of all time. So, when talented artists like her make the list, it does not come as a surprise.
Another category that is just as highly respected is “Record of the Year.” The nominees for this category includes, “Now and Then” by The Beatles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, “360” by Charli xcx, “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, and “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift, featuring Post Malone. Fans of all ages are ecstatic about the nominations. “I was so surprised when I saw The Beatles were nominated. I really hope they win. It has been such a long time since they have released music,” said social studies teacher Olga Zisel. Although all these artists’ records have totally “blown up” on the radio this year, there is one artist who needs to be recognized. You might know her from her song, “Good Luck, Babe!” which became an overnight success, reaching over one billion streams on Spotify this month. She is singer, songwriter Chappell Roan. This is Roan’s first time being nominated for a Grammy, with her six nominations for this year, including her first studio album, Chappell Roan: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, getting nominated for “Album of the Year” as well as “Best Pop Vocal Album.” In a Nov. 30 Instagram post (instagram.com), Roan expressed her gratitude to her fans: “Hitting a billion streams on Spotify is cuckoo loco. All I have to say is thank you.” With rumors of her new projects coming soon, many cannot wait to see what she has in store.
Make sure to tune in on Feb. 2 to find out who takes home a Grammy.
