MUSIC: The upcoming Grammy Awards highlight the past year of growth and transformation in the music industry.
By Chloe Vega, Staff Writer
The time is upon us. For the next few months, every awards ceremony on Earth is happening, one after another. And if you’re a music fanatic, there is one in particular you want to keep an eye out for. On January 28, Madison Square Garden in New York City will be the host for the 2018 Grammy Awards. These are the most prestigious awards in the recording industry, with its four largest categories being Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist. The awards are presented by and to those who work in the music industry as a way to celebrate the achievements made in the past year. In a (futile) attempt to think like one of the great musicians of our time, here are a few Grammy predictions for the upcoming awards.
Record of the Year – “24K Magic,” Bruno Mars
Mars’s track “24K Magic” is definitely a hit with age groups across the board. It has an infectious rhythm that people can’t help but dance to. Mars won this same award in 2015 for his track, “Uptown Funk,” so he is already a familiar face to those at the Grammys; his latest nomination possesses similar traits to other prior winners.
Album of the Year – DAMN., Kendrick Lamar
Lamar has already been nominated for this award twice; despite not winning, his familiarity with those who decide the winners provides him slight advantage in comparison to his fellow nominees. In addition, his album includes two wildly popular songs, “DAMN.” and “HUMBLE,” prompting him to release a collector’s edition, so obviously someone likes it.
Song of the Year – “1-800-273-8255,” Logic
Off of his latest album Everybody, Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255,” has been the most popular by far. The name itself is the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The concept for this song is dialogue between a lifeline worker and a suicidal person. With such a prominent emotional message, this song is one of the strongest contenders for this award.
Best New Artist – Khalid
Every year there are many promising newcomers to the music scene. All of the nominees deserve to be recognized for their hard work and determination. Khalid worked especially hard and was incredibly successful, as seen with his debut single which certified platinum. He consistently seizes opportunities to collaborate with well-known and established music artists such as Logic and Marshmello.
Best Rap Album – Flower Boy, Tyler, The Creator
Tyler’s latest album is considered to be one of his most consistent works. This new album incorporated Tyler’s music through the use of “Golf Radio,” a feature on his GOLF MEDIA app. Not only was the concept delivered in a different way than his other albums, Flower Boy stood out as being the first of Tyler’s works to produce a radio hit. The track “See You Again,” featuring Kalis Uchis is the first ever of any of Tyler’s songs to receive radio play. It illustrates significant growth in both Tyler’s career and his fanbase.
These predictions are just the tip of the iceberg. With 84 categories total, the Grammys remain the largest music awards in the industry. They offer the opportunity for music artists to recognize the successes and growth of their peers, and come together to celebrate their shared love for the art of music. These awards are important not only for the recipients, but also for their audiences, as a time to focus on the evolution of art and showcase the works of those who use their talents to communicate their thoughts and emotions in a creative way.