The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards made for a handful of surprise wins last week — Billie Eilish winning everything for starters! — but one that ended up being surprising in more of a “about damn time!” sorta way was J. Cole‘s big win in the “Best Rap Song” category alongside 21 Savage for their hit collaboration “a lot.” Now, fellow rap king T.I. decided to give props to the homies on a job well done.

Tip’s kudos didn’t arrive as “expeditiously” as he usually is — the GRAMMYs happened a whole week ago after all — but the camaraderie is still a nice sight to see nonetheless. “Congrats Kings,” T.I. wrote on Instagram (seen above), followed by two crown emojis to signify his approval of their new royal golden gramophone trophies. Although he has no real reason to say anything, particularly since he’s not featured on a remix of the song or 21’s chart-topping I Am > I Was album where the track derives from overall, T.I.’s words are sincere off the strength that he’s simply just an OG to the game giving props to one of the new guys and the self-proclaimed “middle child.” Much respect, Tip.

Watch the music video for “a lot” by 21 Savage featuring J. Cole below to remind yourself of this award-worthy single: 

Miley Cyrus‘ Bangerz era was a wild time in human history. “Twerk” became a household term after Miley rubbed up against Robin Thicke during their 2013 VMAs performance. That moment also led to formerly-innocent foam fingers being perceived as sexually-charged objects. The world watched aghast as a Disney child-star transformed into a weed-enthusiast. Miley’s love for the ganja was put on blatant display when she pulled a joint out of her Chanel purse while onstage at the 2013 MTV European Music Awards. “You know I couldn’t fit this award in my bag, but I did find this,” she said as she started lighting up mid-acceptance speech. “So thank you guys very much.”  

Now, seven years later, Miley is reflecting on this decision with a tinge of regret. The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards took place this past Sunday and you may have noticed that Miley was not in attendance. Her latest Instagram post suggests that her past antics may be the reason that she is now excluded from these sorts of affairs. She shared the clip of her EMAs pot stunt with the caption: “& we wonder why I’m not invited to award shows anymore….” 

Miley is most likely kidding around. We all know that she has not been blacklisted from the music industry or these events. She performed at the Grammys in 2018 and the VMAs in 2019. While Bangerz Miley may have been controversial at the time, today, it is more or less remembered as an iconic period in pop culture. 

Heading into the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards last night, many people probably had a good feeling that the ceremony would lead to a photo of Billie Eilish struggling to hold all her trophies – the kind of photo that many of music’s most iconic acts have taken in the past. Lo and behold, Billie joined this lineage, cheesing with her arms full of golden gramophones after sweeping all of the Grammys’ major categories (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist). 

The fact that Eilish was even nominated in all these categories was a record-breaking feat, as she was the youngest artist in history to receive this honor. The milestones keep coming the 18-year-old’s way because she also became the second artist ever to take home those four major awards in the same year. It’s been nearly four decades since Christopher Cross also pulled this off in 1981. 

Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Not to be forgotten is Billie Eilish’ brother and musical sidekick, Finneas, who lugged home a ton of awards too for his work on her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. Aside from the major categories, Finneas also won Producer of the Year, Non-Classical and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. 

“Music’s biggest night” is here. The industry’s finest have all gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate what the Recording Academy has deemed to be the best of the past year. Among nominees, Lizzo leads the pack with eight nods, followed behind by Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X who have six nominations each. 

Per the Hollywood Reporter, the non-televised portion of the awards show has already settled on the grim news of the death of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna early Sunday evening, honoring their memories with a moment of silence. 

Alicia Keys is set to host the full ceremony as the evening’s stars move forward to collect their awards throughout the night. Keep up below with the night’s winners:

Album of the Year
I, I – Bon Iver
Norman Fucking Rockwell! – Lana Del Rey
WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish
thank u, next – Ariana Grande
I Used to Know Her – H.E.R.
7 – Lil Nas X
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) – Lizzo
Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend

Record of the Year
“Hey, Ma” – Bon Iver
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” – Ariana Grande
“Hard Place” – H.E.R.
“Talk” – Khalid
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X f/ Billy Ray Cyrus
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
“Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee

Song of the Year
“Always Remember Us This Way” – Lady Gaga
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“Bring My Flowers Now” – Tanya Tucker
“Hard Place” – H.E.R.
“Lover” – Taylor Swift
“Norman Fucking Rockwell” – Lana Del Rey
“Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo

Best New Artist
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola

Best Rap Album
Revenge of the Dreamers III – Dreamville
CHAMPIONSHIPS – Meek Mill
I Am > I Was – 21 Savage
IGOR – Tyler, the Creator
The Lost Boy – YBN Cordae

Best Rap Performance
“Middle Child” – J. Cole
“Suge” – DaBaby
“Down Bad” – Dreamville f/ JID, Bas, J. Cole, EarthGang & Young Nudy
“Racks in the Middle” – Nipsey Hussle f/ Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy
“Clout” – Offset f/ Cardi B

Best Rap/Sung Performance
“Higher” – DJ Khaled f/ Nipsey Hussle & John Legend
“Drip Too Hard” – Lil Baby & Gunna
“Panini” – Lil Nas X
“Ballin” – Mustard f/ Roddy Ricch
“The London” – Young Thug f/ J. Cole & Travis Scott

Best Rap Song
“Bad Idea” – YBN Cordae f/ Chance the Rapper
“Gold Roses” – Rick Ross f/ Drake
“A Lot” – 21 Savage f/ J. Cole
“Racks in the Middle” – Nipsey Hussle f/ Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy
“Suge” – DaBaby

Best R&B Performance
“Love Again” – Daniel Caesar & Brandy
“Could’ve Been” – H.E.R. f/ Bryson Tiller
“Exactly How I Feel” – Lizzo f/ Gucci Mane
“Roll Some Mo” – Lucky Daye
“Come Home” – Anderson .Paak f/ André 3000

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Time Today” – BJ the Chicago Kid
“Steady Love” – India.Arie
“Jerome” – Lizzo
“Real Games” – Lucky Daye
“Built for Love” – PJ Morton f/ Jazmine Sullivan

Best R&B Song
“Could’ve Been” – H.E.R. f/ Bryson Tiller
“Look at Me Now” – Emily King
“No Guidance” – Chris Brown f/ Drake
“Roll Some Mo” – Lucky Daye
“Say So” – PJ Morton f/ JoJo

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Apollo XXI – Steve Lacy
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) – Lizzo
Overload – Georgia Anne Muldrow
Saturn – NAO
Being Human in Public – Jessie Reyez

Best R&B Album
1123 – BJ the Chicago Kid
Painted – Lucky Daye
Ella Mai – Ella Mai
Paul – PJ Morton
Ventura – Anderson .Paak

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Spirit” – Beyoncé
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” – Ariana Grande
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
“You Need to Calm Down” – Taylor Swift

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Boyfriend” – Ariana Grande and Social House
“Sucker” – Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X f/ Billy Ray Cyrus
“Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee
“Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Sì – Andrea Bocelli
Love (Deluxe Edition) – Michael Bublé
Look Now – Elvis Costello & The Imposters
A Legendary Christmas – John Legend
Walls – Barbra Streisand

Best Pop Vocal Album
The Lion King: The Gift – Beyoncé
WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish
thank u, next – Ariana Grande
No.6 Collaborations Project – Ed Sheeran
Lover – Taylor Swift

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff
Dan Auerbach
John Hill
Finneas
Ricky Reed

Best Music Video
“We’ve Got to Try” – The Chemical Brothers (Ninian Doff, video director)
“This Land” – Gary Clark Jr. (Savanah Leaf, video director)
“Cellophane” – FKA Twigs (Andrew Thomas Huang, video director)
“Old Town Road” (Official Movie) – Lil Nas X f/ Billy Ray Cyrus (Calmatic, video director) – WINNER
“Glad He’s Gone” – Tove Lo (Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia: video directors)

Best Music Film
Homecoming – Beyoncé (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Ed Burke, video directors) – WINNER
David Crosby: Remember My Name – David Crosby (A.J. Eaton, video director)
Birth of the Cool – Miles Davis (Stanley Nelson, video director)
Shangri-La – Various artists (Morgan Neville, video director)
Anima – Thom Yorke (Paul Thomas Anderson, video director)

Best Dance Recording
“Linked” – Bonobo
“Got to Keep On” – The Chemical Brothers – WINNER
“Piece of Your Heart” – Meduza f/ Goodboys
“Underwater” – Rüfüs Du Sol
“Midnight Hour” – Skrillex & Boys Noize f/ Ty Dolla Sign

Best Dance/Electronic Album
LP5 – Apparat
No Geography – The Chemical Brothers – WINNER
Hi This Is Flume – Flume
Solace – Rüfüs Du Sol
Weather – Tycho

Best Rock Performance
“Pretty Waste” – Bones UK
“This Land” – Gary Clark Jr.
“History Repeats” – Brittany Howard
“Woman” – Karen O & Danger Mouse
“Too Bad” – Rival Sons

Best Metal Performance
“Astorolus – The Great Octopus” – Candlemass f/ Tony Iommi
“Humanicide” – Death Angel
“Bow Down” – I Prevail
“Unleashed” – Killswitch Engage
“7empest” – Tool

Best Rock Song
“Fear Inoculum” – Tool
“Give Yourself a Try” – The 1975
“Harmony Hall” –Vampire Weekend
“History Repeats” – Brittany Howard
“This Land” – Gary Clark Jr.

Best Rock Album
Amo – Bring Me the Horizon
Social Cues – Cage the Elephant
In the End – The Cranberries
Trauma – I Prevail
Feral Roots – Rival Sons

Best Alternative Music Album
U.F.O.F. – Big Thief
Assume Form – James Blake
I, I – Bon Iver
Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend
Anima – Thom Yorke

Best Country Solo Performance
“All Your’n” – Tyler Childers
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” – Ashley McBryde
“Ride Me Back Home” – Willie Nelson
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“Bring My Flowers Now” – Tanya Tucker

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Brand New Man” – Brooks & Dunn with Luke Combs
“I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)” – Brothers Osborne
“Speechless” – Dan + Shay
“The Daughters” – Little Big Town
“Common” – Maren Morris f/ Brandi Carlile

Best Country Song
“Bring My Flowers Now” – Tanya Tucker
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” – Ashley McBryde
“It All Comes Out in the Wash” – Miranda Lambert
“Some of It” – Eric Church 
“Speechless” – Dan + Shay

Best Country Album
Desperate Man – Eric Church
Stronger Than the Truth – Reba McEntire
Interstate Gospel – Pistol Annies
Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett
While I’m Livin’ – Tanya Tucker

Best Latin Pop Album
Vida – Luis Fonsi
11:11 – Maluma
Montaner – Ricardo Montaner
El Disco – Alejandro Sanz
Fantasía – Sebastian Yatra

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
X 100Pre – Bad Bunny
Oasis – J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Indestructible – Flor de Toloache
Almadura – iLe
El Mal Querer – Rosalía

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
Caminado – Joss Favela
Percepcion – Intocable
Poco a Poco – La Energía Norteña
20 aniversario – Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea
De Ayer Para siempre – Mariachi los Camperos

Best Tropical Latin Album
Opus – Marc Anthony
Tiempo al Tiempo – Luis Enrique + C4 Trio
Candela – Vicente García
Literal – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
A Journey Through Cuban Music – Aymée Nuviola

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)
Beastie Boys Book – Various artists
Becoming – Michelle Obama – WINNER
I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years as a Two-Time Cancer Survivor – Eric Alexandrakis
Mr. Know-It-All – John Waters
Sekou Andrews & The String Theory – Sekou Andrews & The String Theory

Best Comedy Album
Quality Time – Jim Gaffigan
Relatable – Ellen DeGeneres
Right Now – Aziz Ansari
Son of Patricia – Trevor Noah
Sticks & Stones – Dave Chappelle

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
The Lion King: The Songs – Various Artists
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Various Artists
Rocketman – Taron Egerton
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Various Artists
A Star Is Born – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – WINNER

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
Avengers: Endgame – Alan Silvestri
Chernobyl – Hildur Guðnadóttir – WINNER
Game of Thrones: Season 8 – Ramin Djawadi
The Lion King – Hans Zimmer
Mary Poppins Returns – Marc Shaiman

Best Song Written for Visual Media
“The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” (from Toy Story 4) – Chris Stapleton
“Girl in the Movies” (from Dumplin’) – Dolly Parton
“I’ll Never Love Again (Film Version)” (from A Star Is Born) – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – WINNER
“Spirit” (from The Lion King) – Beyoncé
“Suspirium” (from Suspiria) – Thom Yorke

Best Recording Package
Anónimas & resilientes – Voces Del Bullerengue (Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussan, Manuel García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura, art directors)
Chris Cornell – Chris Cornell (Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, Jeff Fura & Joe Spix, art directors) – WINNER
Hold That Tiger – The Muddy Basin Ramblers (Andrew Wong & Fongming Yang, art directors)
I, I – Bon Iver (Aaron Anderson & Eric Timothy Carlson, art directors)
Intellexual – Intellexual (Irwan Awalludin, art director)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
All These Things – Thomas Dybdahl (Tchad Blake, Adam Greenspan & Roderick Shearer, engineers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer)
Ella Mai – Ella Mai (Chris “Shaggy” Ascher, Jaycen Joshua & David Pizzimenti, engineers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer)
Run Home Slow – The Teskey Brothers (Paul Butler & Sam Teskey, engineers; Joe Carra, mastering engineer)
Scenery – Emily King (Tom Elmhirst, Ben Kane & Jeremy Most, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer)
WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish (Rob Kinelski & Finneas O’Connell, engineers; John Greenham, mastering engineer) – WINNER

As the 2020 GRAMMY Awards ceremony draws nearer — we’re just two days away! — many music fans are excited to see some of today’s biggest artists hit the stage for what’s sure to be a memorable night. However, one singer that everyone is looking to see is Demi Lovato as she makes her way back to performing following a rough couple of years that involved overcoming an overdose and other personal demons.

Looking as beautiful as ever in her official GRAMMY performer announcement post (seen above), Demi has been a voice for many people recently who are combating various issues in their own lives. Speaking with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, she describes the forthcoming single titled “Anyone” as a “special” song that acted as a “cry for help” as she was recording it just days before her now-infamous 2018 overdose.”This song was written and recorded actually very shortly before everything happened,” Demi tells Zane, following up by saying, “I recorded the vocals for it four days before [July 20].” She also mentions her confusion as to why nobody who heard the track beforehand could tell that she needed help, even saying she wishes she could “go back in time” and help that version of herself. Overall, we’re just glad the pop starlet is on the road to recovery and we continue to pray for her well-being.

Listen to Demi Lovato’s interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music below to hear her full explanation of “Anybody,” and be sure to watch her perform it live at the 2020 Grammys this Sunday (Jan 26) at 8PM ET/5PM PT on CBS: 

Music’s biggest night is swiftly approaching and with the announcement of Grammy nominees comes vigorous debate around which albums or songs are most deserving of recognition. 2019 was loaded with unforgettable songs and albums that transported us from our cars, treadmills and living rooms into the studio. These songs were the soundtrack of our lives for the past year. New artists burst onto the scene and grabbed our attention while wily veterans proved again why they remain on music’s pedestal. With that said, we’ll take a stab at foreseeing winners in the Hip-Hop and R&B categories.

Let us know what your predictions are in the comments. 

Best Rap Performance

For Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.

• DOWN BAD
  Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy
   
• RACKS IN THE MIDDLE
  Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy
   
• CLOUT
  Offset Featuring Cardi B

• SUGE
  DaBaby

Who should win: Suge – DaBaby

“Suge” was the breakthrough single that propelled DaBaby into music’s mainstream. The song appears on his well-received debut album Baby on Baby. The title obviously references infamous music executive Suge Knight – a proclamation of the artist’s intention to forcefully overtake hip-hop, something Knight became legendary for. DaBaby’s exuberant personality and brazen confidence shine through on this record. To pair with his compelling voice, DaBaby also presents some cunning penmanship with creative ad-libs putting the icing on the proverbial cake. The record was blasted everywhere to the tune of a number one spot atop Billboard’s Hip-Hop AirPlay charts.

Who will win: Middle Child – J Cole

Equally deserving in its own right Middle Child is J Cole executing on the fundamentals which built his rap persona. Cole uses a number of effective analogies to explore his place in the music industry as an ambassador for this era whose greatness transcends that of many “peers.”

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Best Rap/Sung Performance

For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.

• BALLIN
  Mustard Featuring Roddy Ricch

• HIGHER
  DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend

• DRIP TOO HARD
  Lil Baby & Gunna

• PANINI
  Lil Nas X
   
• THE LONDON
  Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott

Who should win: Ballin – Mustard featuring Roddy Ricch

“I put the new forgis on the Jeep!” We found ourselves uncontrollably singing the hook to feel-good anthem “Ballin” all year. The infectious DJ Mustard-produced track rang out through radios, arena speakers and car systems everywhere. You couldn’t escape its brilliance in 2019. The song diaries the rags to riches story of featured artist, Roddy Ricch and his ascent to success. The come up, one of hip-hop’s core motifs. It was released as a single from Mustard’s third studio album Perfect Ten. Mustard provides the ideal instrumental for Roddy to narrate his trouble to triumph fable. The marriage of Roddy’s unique voice and Mustard’s body-rocking beat is pure alchemy. 

Who will win: Higher – DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend. 

Hard to imagine a scenario where the fallen legendary figure Nipsey Hussle leaves without a triumphant moment. The creme of Khaled’s “Father of Asad,” Higher ignites your soul and your mind combining the Nispey’s message with John Legend’s refined and flowing vocals. This is sure to be a heavy, reflective and tear-jerking moment at the awards.

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Best Rap Song

A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

• BAD IDEA
  Chancelor Bennett, Cordae Dunston, Uforo Ebong & Daniel Hackett, songwriters (YBN Cordae Featuring Chance The Rapper)

• GOLD ROSES
  Noel Cadastre, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Khristopher Riddick-Tynes, William Leonard Roberts II, Joshua Quinton Scruggs, Leon Thomas III & Ozan Yildirim, songwriters (Rick Ross Featuring Drake)
   
• RACKS IN THE MIDDLE
  Ermias Asghedom, Dustin James Corbett, Greg Allen Davis, Chauncey Hollis, Jr. & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy)

• SUGE
  DaBaby, Jetsonmade & Pooh Beatz, songwriters (DaBaby)

• A LOT
  Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White, songwriters (21 Savage Featuring J. Cole)

Who should win: A lot – 21 Savage featuring J Cole

Who will win: A lot – 21 Savage featuring J Cole

This is maybe the biggest no brainer of the evening. The rhythmic masterpiece of a beat featuring an incredible sample from “I Love You” by East of Underground which also samples “I Love You for All Seasons,” performed by The Fuzz is a thing of sheer dexterity. On the track J. Cole delivers critical bars addressing dubiousness of music industry inauthenticity and affirms his place in hip-hop, while 21 Savage chronicles his trials on the way to the top. The juxtaposition of rap’s adjacent regimes melts perfectly into a song that makes you want to party as much as you want to think.  

 Moses Robinson/Getty Images

Best Rap Album

For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.

• REVENGE OF THE DREAMERS III
  Dreamville
   
• CHAMPIONSHIPS
  Meek Mill

• I AM > I WAS
  21 Savage

• IGOR
  Tyler, The Creator

• THE LOST BOY
  YBN Cordae

Who should win: IGOR – Tyler the Creator

Many, including myself were livid when nominations came out and IGOR was not included in the Album of the Year category. It was hands down the most complete body of work I have heard this year. Yet, in the confines of this designation when standing toe to toe against the likes of Championship it pains me to say Tyler will lose out of what could be his second Rap album of the year award. Flower Boy was also incredible. But Tyler is due for a Grammy so look for the academy to perhaps reward him next year.

Who will win: Championships – Meek Mill

While Championships does not have the consistency of I am > I was, the sonic delivery of IGOR or the deeply introspective approach of Lost Boys,  for a rap album it’s highs are unbelievably high and subject matter all parts profound, frivolous and entertaining. Meek’s lyrics on tracks like “Oodles and Noodles” or “Respect the Game” reach into your soul, gripping your heart with the story of his tribulations wrapped in the context of socio-economic complexities in urban America. It is a dissertation of continuous resurrection through the eyes of a dreamer. In the end, the combination of musical range, lyrical content, and hard-hitting storytelling sets Championships apart as a rap album. Although IGOR is perhaps the most comprehensive and impressive body of work from the list of nominees, it is also miscast and should be considered for the album of the year. In my opinion, considering the rap designation, Championships takes the crown this year by a slim margin.   

Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Best R&B Performance

For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.

• LOVE AGAIN
  Daniel Caesar & Brandy
   
• COULD’VE BEEN
  H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller
   
• EXACTLY HOW I FEEL
  Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane
   
• ROLL SOME MO
  Lucky Daye
   
• COME HOME
  Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000

Who should win: Love Again – Daniel Caesar featuring Brandy

Who will win: Love Again – Daniel Caesar featuring Brandy 

Undeniably deserving albeit by a thin margin – Love Again is the right choice. “Love Again” is a duet featured on Case Study 01, Daniel Caesar’s second studio album. The track conjoins Brandy’s signature breathy vocals with Caesar’s stirring and powerful soulfulness. The abutment of the singers’ variant styles works to give the song a pleasant musical affliction. The impressive performance by Brandy and Caesar yokes the raw youth of Caesar with the experience and polish of Brady. Although Caesar headlines here, the piece is a great reminder of Brandy’s incredible R&B legacy.    

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images 

Best Traditional R&B Performance

For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.

• TIME TODAY
  BJ The Chicago Kid
   
• STEADY LOVE
  India.Arie
   
• JEROME
  Lizzo
   
• REAL GAMES
  Lucky Daye
   
• BUILT FOR LOVE
  PJ Morton Featuring Jazmine Sullivan
  

Who should win: Time Today – BJ The Chicago Kid

Somehow BJ is STILL underrated, undeterred by this, the vocalist continues to producer outstanding songs like “Time Today.” Labeled as the “deacon of R&B” by some, BJ delivers his spellbinding belts on the song filled with a ton of powerful canticles from a love maker. The deacon is single-handedly restoring our faith in R&B with his mastership of soul. Not to go unmentioned is the near flawless production which provides a smooth surface for BJ’s voice to skate on. Still, is it wishful thinking for him to win? Will it inevitably go to Lizzo, or does BJ stand a real chance?

Who will win: Jerome – Lizzo

Lizzo is taking home multiple Grammys come hell or high water. The academy will reward the “entertainer of the year,” more factors at play here than simply her music (while this song is fantastic and deserving).

 Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Best R&B Song

A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

• COULD’VE BEEN
  Dernst Emile II, David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, H.E.R. & Hue “Soundzfire” Strother, songwriters (H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller)
   
• LOOK AT ME NOW
  Emily King & Jeremy Most, songwriters (Emily King)
   
• NO GUIDANCE
  Chris Brown, Tyler James Bryant, Nija Charles, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Michee Patrick Lebrun, Joshua Huizar, Noah Shebib & Teddy Walton, songwriters (Chris Brown Featuring Drake)
   
• ROLL SOME MO
  David Brown, Dernst Emile II & Peter Lee Johnson, songwriters (Lucky Daye)
   
• SAY SO
  PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring JoJo)

Who should win: Roll Some Mo – Lucky Daye

Who will win: No Guidance – Chris Brown featuring Drake

The best song on the best R&B is what I would go with but Chris Brown and Drake won’t be denied here. Once reportedly at each other’s necks over Rihanna, Chris Brown and Drake have since mended any quarrels and joined to give us the year’s best R&B song. The collaboration is truly mesmerizing and enthralls all who come under its waves. While not quite the vocalist Chris Brown is, Drake nevertheless ministers a tremendous tight-rope performance somewhere between rapper and singer. Both artists combine, with producers J-Louis,Vinylz, Teddy Walton, and 40, to give an addicting composition. 

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Best Urban Contemporary Album

For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded contemporary vocal tracks derivative of R&B.

• APOLLO XXI
  Steve Lacy
   
• CUZ I LOVE YOU (DELUXE)
  Lizzo
   
• OVERLOAD
  Georgia Anne Muldrow
   
• SATURN
  NAO 

• BEING HUMAN IN PUBLIC
  Jessie Reyez

Who should win: Cuz I Love You – Lizzo

Who will win: Cuz I Love You – Lizzo

It’s Lizzo’s year. Plain and simple. Overruling the deeply competitive nature of this category and legitimate questioning of her placement, here are the vocal acrobatics Lizzo delivers on Cuz I Love You. Her colossal, sometimes theatrical voice grabs and twists your ear from the outset – running your head across each piano stroke and lyric to drive home the song’s theme of lost love. The score sounds like the predicament of a heartbroken animated film’s villain plotting her revenge in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Grand runs and notes grab you by your shoulders, swinging you from side to side with the beat. Range and versatility keep Lizzo’s star rising. 

Best R&B Album

For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.

• 1123
  BJ The Chicago Kid
   
• PAINTED
  Lucky Daye
   
• ELLA MAI
  Ella Mai
   
• PAUL
  PJ Morton
   
• VENTURA
  Anderson .Paak

Who should win: Painted – Lucky Daye

Maybe the toughest choice of all. Best R&B album. Back and forth I went before championing a victor. You could very well settle on Ella Mai and her commercial smash, self titled album. Or BJ the Chicago Kid with his soulful and touching numbers set to marvelous instrumentals in 1123. Even the density of Anderson. Paak’s VENTURE. When the dust fades the winner should and will be Painted. The debut album by Lucky Daye, led by the single “Roll Some Mo” is the most exemplary comprehensive body which also provides moments of brilliance.  

Who will win: Ventura – Anderson. Paak

Anderson has paid his dues, being passed up for other nominations and awards he probably deserved. It’s his time.

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With a field this stacked the night is sure to produce loads of drama as names are called and dreams are shattered or realized. To go along with the suspense we are due for some great performances from the likes of Tyler the Creator, Lizzo and Roddy Rich to name a few. 

Ceremony date: January 26, 2020, 8:00 PM EST

The biggest night in music is rapidly approaching as, this Sunday, we will be glued to our television screens to see who will be honored as the biggest movers and shakers of the previous year. We’ve been celebrating music’s most promising young acts, highlighting up-and-coming stars in the industry as they look to make their dreams come true, hopping on stage and accepting a Grammy Award in front of their hard-working peers. It’s a lifelong goal for many to earn the opportunity to thank their families, collaborators, and a higher spirit for an audience of millions watching around the world. Nipsey Hussle, unfortunately, never got the chance to experience that, being celebrated last year for his Victory Lap album but being outmatched by Cardi B‘s strong debut. After sleeping on Nip for years, the Recording Academy is putting on a major celebration of Hussle’s being, enlisting some of his most frequent collaborators and friends to issue what will surely be an unforgettable tribute to his life and legacy.

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According to a press release by the Recording Academy, the Nipsey Hussle Grammy tribute will include performances and appearances from the rapper’s close friend YG, his “Higher” teammates John Legend and DJ Khaled, his boy Meek Mill, breakout star Roddy Ricch, and the ultra-powerful Kirk Franklin. With a line-up like that, you can rest assured the late, great Nipsey Hussle will be smiling down from above.

The Grammy Awards will air this weekend on Sunday, January 26. Performances have been confirmed by Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Tyler, The Creator, and many more. Will you be tuning in?

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In two weeks, artists and musicians from various genres will come together at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for one of the most coveted award ceremonies in the entertainment industry. There are plenty of people, artists and non-artists alike, who believe that the pomp of events such as these is unnecessary and a dying breed, but winning a Grammy Award is still a feat that even accomplished creatives still hope to achieve. 

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The 2020 Grammy announcement rollout continues as yet another performer has been revealed: Tyler, The Creator. Over the last few days, news of other artists like Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, and Aerosmith with Run-DMC (be prepared for an epic performance of "Walk This Way") as performers has been shared.

Tyler, The Creator had a praiseworthy year in 2019 after his IGOR project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, besting DJ Khaled's feature-heavy Father of Asahd. Tyler's IGOR was also recognized by the Grammys and is up for Best Rap Album along with Dreamville (Revenge of the Dreamers III), Meek Mill (Champions), 21 Savage (i am > i was), and YBN Cordae (The Lost Boy). Let us know if you're looking forward to seeing Tyler and his IGOR wig take to the Grammy stage and share which artist you think should win for Best Rap Album.