It’s once again awards season, and as always, the recently announced Grammy nominations have taken the world by storm. With awards like Best New Artist, Song of the Year and the highly coveted Album of the Year, there’s a lot to be won. As the winners of the Grammys won’t be revealed until Feb. 1, writers of the Life section have come together to place their bets on who they think will take home the golden gramophones this Sunday.
Samantha Brody, Life Editor, she/her/hers, sab23059@uconn.edu
I’ve never been one for award shows, even the EGOTs themselves, but the Grammys would certainly be my favorite if I had to choose one. Music is such a subjective and ever-shaping landscape, and the art being judged is some of the most personal you’ll find in the entertainment world.
For me, “CHROMAKOPIA” has to be Album of the Year, there’s no doubt about it. Tyler, the Creator is, in my opinion, one of the best artists of our time and it would be a shame for him to not take Album of the Year for his 2024 effort. The entire album is beautiful from start to finish, and the Academy would be remiss to let Tyler slip by, especially considering the continued popularity of “Like Him” and “Sticky.”
As for Song of the Year, many of these nominations are a little throwaway for me. “Abracadabra,” “Anxiety” and “APT” are solid songs, but I think Billie Eilish’s “WILDFLOWER” and Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” rise above. Frankly, after Eilish lost Album of the Year to Beyoncé in 2025, I think she deserves a win. But given his upcoming Super Bowl performance, it could be amazing for Bad Bunny to get the spotlight for 2026, just like Kendrick Lamar before him. I’d be happy for either.
When it comes to the other categories on the table, Best New Artist seems like Olivia Dean’s to win, although I think KATSEYE has a shot. I really don’t want Alex Warren to get it, but I could see him winning. I also would love to see Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” to take home a Grammy, especially considering how determined the song has been to stay in the public consciousness. I’m also positive “KPop Demon Hunters” will take home an award in some category, but I can’t be sure where.
Maleena Muzio, Associate Life Editor, she/her/hers, maleena.muzio@uconn.edu
The Grammy Awards are approaching, with a star-studded list of nominees for various categories. Taking a look at the full nomination list, I am decently surprised to see a larger variety of artists showcased in the different categories than we have seen in years past. Let’s face it, the Grammys have increasingly reused the same few artists and albums as award nominees throughout the night.
Best New Artist or “Category 4” is the award I am most looking forward to. The majority of nominees are pop artists, and honestly, all have a decent chance of winning as they each produced major hits of 2025. Personally, I think Olivia Dean is going to win, with KATSEYE or The Marias as close second and third choices. Everyone nominated in this category is set to perform at the Grammys and although I am not so sure if she will win, I am guiltily (and excitedly) anticipating an Addison Rae “Diet Pepsi” performance.
As for Song of the Year, I find a few of the nominations slightly odd. I completely agree that Billie Eilish was snubbed at last year’s awards, nominated seven times and winning no awards, but her being nominated in this category for “Wildflower” is puzzling because the song came out in 2024 and was popular quite some time ago — it is an amazing song nonetheless. My prediction for this category is that “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter or “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” will take the win.
Regardless of who brings home awards (I have gotten so used to snubs), I am excited to see the plethora of performances through the night, as well as assess fashion choices made by celebrities. I am also anticipating politically charged acceptance speeches being made throughout the night, am interested to see which celebrities decide to use their voices to speak up on current issues they deem important.
Ayyan Tamjeed, Staff Writer, he/him/his, art24001@uconn.edu
I believe the most hotly contested award of the night will be found in the race for the best rap album. Whenever Kendrick Lamar releases an album, the Recording Academy is bound to hand this trophy to him. Rightfully so, I should add. But if that’s not the case, they’ll hand out this award to Tyler, the Creator.
Thanks to the Recording Academy’s odd eligibility window, not only is Lamar’s stellar 2024 album “GNX” nominated for a music award in 2026, Tyler, the Creator is on the nominee list as well for “Chromakopia.” This doesn’t even include the return of the rap duo Clipse, who released the best rap album of 2025, “Let God Sort Em Out.” Regardless of who wins, rap fans should relish in the fact there’s this much competition between three amazing pieces of work.
As for other genre categories, I’m going to be rooting for either Wet Leg or Hayley Williams to sweep their nominations in the rock, metal and alternative fields. It’s great to see the Academy nominate the intro song to the second episode of “Heated Rivalry,” that being “Mangetout” by Wet Leg. Hayley William’s third solo album “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” may have been my most played album last year, and it looks like the same holds true for some Academy members. I’ll be happy if either of them ends up with a gramophone in their hands by the night’s end.