The News Of …

Even though the nominees were all announced late last year, this Sunday night will see all nominated artists go head to head in a bid to secure the music industry’s most prestigious award. Eminem, who is a leading nominee tonight would be expected to secure at least some of the gongs in the major categories.
However he is facing stiff competition in some of these from the likes of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga to name a few. Also expected to do well tonight but facing competition is Justin Bieber. Who is nominated in both the Best Pop Vocal Album and Best New Artist category. Its in the latter that it could prove most interesting tonight given that he is up against much more contemporary artists including ‘Mumford & Sons’ and ‘Florence and the Machine’.
Also included is a tip of the hat to the late Micheal Jackson with the possibility of what may not be a final, posthumous Grammy for him in the Best Male Pop Vocal category.

Justin Bieber.

The Best New Artist Grammy Award category this year is a packed one. Here is a short break down of who is nominated and who I think will win.
The 2011 Grammy Awards Nominations for Best New Artist are Justin Bieber, Drake, ‘Florence & the Machine’, ‘Mumford & Sons’ and Esperanza Spalding. I will have to admit I had to look up who Esperanza Spalding is. She is a jazz singer who also plays the upright bass and has an interesting sound. She is the kind of artist that the Grammys often love, but I doubt she is going to win this one. ‘Mumford & Sons’ will be playing with Bob Dylan on the show which could be a good omen for them. They are cool ALT. Country band that has an interesting sound (think Wilco without all the booze), but I think they too will be left out in the cold. Drake has had a great year and has been all over and on lot of different people’s records, but I think he has been more known for his guest appearances than his own record.
To me this category at the Grammy Awards 2011 is a two car race between Justin Bieber and ‘Florence & the Machine’. ‘Florence & the Machine’ had what might have been a career making performance at the MTV Music Video Awards a few months ago and will be riding that wave of new found popularity and good will into the Grammys. That leaves Justin Bieber. If this were something where the fans voted you could hand him the trophy now because he has a large, radical fan base. Still, I think there is no denying his popularity and while this award is not supposed to go to the most popular new artist, it often does. Just look at the last 20 winners, they were all big names and had big years when they won. I think the same will happen here. Bieber has been everywhere and it seems like the music industry is in love with him. I can’t see how the Grammy Awards can deny him. If anyone but Justin Bieber wins Best New Artist, I will be pretty damn shocked.

The following is a list of major nominees.
Song of the Year
‘Beg, Steal or Borrow’ – Ray LaMontagne
‘Forget You’ – Cee-Lo
‘The House That Built Me’ – Miranda Lambert
‘Love the Way You Lie’ – Eminem Feat. Rihanna
‘Need You Now’ – Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year
‘The Suburbs’ – Arcade Fire
‘Recovery’ – Eminem
‘Need You Now’ – Lady Antebellum
‘The Fame Monster’ – Lady Gaga
‘Teenage Dream’ – Katy Perry

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence and the Machine
Mumford and Sons
Esperanza Spalding

Record of the Year
‘Nothing on You’ – B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars
‘Love the Way You Lie’ – Eminem Feat. Rihanna
‘Forget You’ – Cee-Lo
‘Empire State of Mind’ – Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys
‘Need You Now’ – Lady Antebellum

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
‘King of Anything’ – Sara Bareilles
‘Halo (Live)’ – Beyonce
‘Chasing Pirates’ – Norah Jones
‘Bad Romance’ – Lady Gaga
‘Teenage Dream’ – Katy Perry

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
‘Haven’t Met You Yet’ – Michael Buble
‘This is It’ – Michael Jackson
‘Whataya Want from Me’ – Adam Lambert
‘Just the Way You Are’ – Bruno Mars
‘Half of My Heart’ – John Mayer

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
‘Satisfied’ – Jewel
‘The House That Built Me’ – Miranda Lambert
‘Swingin” – LeAnn Rimes
‘Temporary Home’ – Carrie Underwood
‘I’d Love to Be Your Last’ – Gretchen Wilson

Best Pop Performance by a Group or Duo with Vocals
‘Don’t Stop Believin’ (Regionals Version)’ – ‘Glee’ cast
‘The Only Exception’ – Paramore
‘Babyfather’ – Sade
‘Hey, Soul Sister (Live)’ – Train

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
‘Airplanes, Part II’ – B.o.B., Eminem & Hayley Williams
‘Imagine’ – Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
‘If it Wasn’t for Bad’ – Elton John & Leon Russell
‘Telephone’ – Lady Gaga & Beyonce
‘California Gurls’ – Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

Best Pop Vocal Album
‘My World 2.0′ – Justin Bieber
‘I Dreamed a Dream’ – Susan Boyle
‘The Fame Monster’ – Lady Gaga
‘Battle Studies’ – John Mayer
‘Teenage Dream’ – Katy Perry

Best Country Song
‘The Breath You Take’ – George Strait
‘Free’ – Zac Brown Band
‘The House That Built Me’ – Miranda Lambert
‘I’d Love to Be Your Last’ – Gretchen Wilson
‘If I Die Young’ – The Band Perry
‘Need You Now’ – Lady Antebellum

Best Country Album
‘Up on the Ridge’ – Dierks Bentley
‘You Get What You Give’ – Zac Brown Band
‘The Guitar Song’ – Jamey Johnson
‘Need You Now’ – Lady Antebellum
‘Revolution’ – Miranda Lambert

Best Rock Song
‘Angry World’ – Neil Young
‘Little Lion Man’ – Mumford & Sons
‘Radioactive’ – Kings Of Leon
‘Resistance’ – Muse
‘Tighten Up’ – The Black Keys

Best Rock Album
‘Emotion & Commotion’ – Jeff Beck
‘The Resistance’ – Muse
‘Backspacer’ – Pearl Jam
‘Mojo’ – Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
‘Le Noise’ – Neil Young

Best R&B Song
‘Bittersweet’ – Fantasia
‘Finding My Way Back’ – Jaheim
‘Second Chance’ – El DeBarge
‘Shine’ — John Legend & The Roots
‘Why Would You Stay’ – Kem

Best R&B Album
‘The Love & War Masterpeace’ – Raheem DeVaughn
‘Back To Me’ – Fantasia
‘Another Round’ – Jaheim
‘Wake Up!’ – John Legend & The Roots
‘Still Standing’ – Monica

Best Contemporary R&B Album
‘Graffiti’ – Chris Brown
‘Untitled’ – R. Kelly
‘Transition’ – Ryan Leslie
‘The ArchAndroid’ – Janelle Monáe
‘Raymond V Raymond’ – Usher

Best Rap Song
‘Empire State Of Mind’ – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
‘Love the Way You Lie’ – Eminem & Rihanna
‘Not Afraid – Eminem
‘Nothin’ On You’ – B.o.B & Bruno Mars
‘On To The Next One’ – Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

Best Rap Album
‘The Adventures of Bobby Ray’ – B.o.B
‘Thank Me Later’ – Drake
‘Recovery’ – Eminem
‘The Blueprint 3′ – Jay-Z
‘How I Got Over’ – The Roots

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
‘Crazy Heart’ – Various Artists
‘Glee: The Music, Volume 1′ – ‘Glee’ Cast
‘Treme’ – Various Artists
‘True Blood-Volume 2′ – Various Artists
‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ – Various Artists.