As we gear up for the holidays there’s another season dusting off its winter coat and getting ready. That’s right, we’re talking about AWARD SEASON! This morning, the Recording Academy announced the full list of nominees for the 2021 GRAMMY Awards and gave us a glimpse of what to expect. We’re so excited to see some incredibly deserving artists on the list of nominees. Of course, Taylor Swift is nominated in a billion categories (alright it’s more like five) and Billie Eilish is close behind with three nominations, but I’m personally so excited to see Yebba, HAIM, Jacob Collier, and Emily King getting their well deserved recognition.
As announced on their website, “The 63rd GRAMMY Awards will be happening, rain or shine, COVID-19 vaccine or not. The health and safety of artists, guests, crew and staff is always front of mind during every GRAMMYs, so, logistically, things will be a little different this year.” They go on to explain that they have three options they are currently preparing for: a traditional show with a full crowd, a limited crowd, or no crowd at all. Any way it goes, the Academy has assured us the show will be on January 31st with whatever precautions are safest at that time.
The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah is scheduled to host, a first for the dimpled dreamboat. In a statement he said, “Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the GRAMMYs have refused to have me sing or be nominated for Best Pop Album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event.” Noah went on to say, “I think as a one-time GRAMMY nominee, I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artists who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award! (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I’m not trying to catch Corona). See you at the 63rd GRAMMYs!”
Additional changes for 2021 include several category name changes. For example, “Best Urban Contemporary Album” will now be “Best Progressive R&B Album” and “Best Rap/Sung Performance” will be “Best Melodic Rap Performance.” The Academy recognizes the evolution of music and believes the titles should reflect that. They have also announced that, unlike other awards shows this year, they plan to address the civic and social unrest and they encourage the artists to share their thoughts and opinions.
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff, we know why you’re here. Check out some of the categories we are most excited about!
Record Of The Year
Awarded to those behind the scenes such as producers and engineers.
- BLACK PARADE
Beyoncé
Beyoncé & Derek Dixie, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
- COLORS
Black Pumas
Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; JJ Golden, mastering engineer
- ROCKSTAR
DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
SethinTheKitchen, producer; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali, Chris Dennis & Liz Robson, engineers/mixers; Susan Tabor, mastering engineer
- SAY SO
Doja Cat
Tyson Trax, producer; Clint Gibbs, engineer/mixer; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
- EVERYTHING I WANTED
Billie Eilish
Finneas O’Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski & Finneas O’Connell, engineers/mixers; John Greenham, mastering engineer
- DON’T START NOW
Dua Lipa
Caroline Ailin & Ian Kirkpatrick, producers; Josh Gudwin, Drew Jurecka & Ian Kirkpatrick, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
- CIRCLES
Post Malone
Louis Bell, Frank Dukes & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
- SAVAGE
Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
Beyoncé & J. White Did It, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
Album Of The Year
Awarded to the artists and performers
- CHILOMBO
Jhené Aiko
Fisticuffs & Julian-Quán Việt Lê, producers; Fisticuffs, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Zeke Mishanec, Christian Plata & Gregg Rominiecki, engineers/mixers; Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Maclean Robinson & Brian Keith Warfield, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
- BLACK PUMAS (DELUXE EDITION)
Black Pumas
Jon Kaplan & Adrian Quesada, producers; Adrian Quesada, Jacob Sciba, Stuart Sikes & Erik Wofford, engineers/mixers; Eric Burton & Adrian Quesada, songwriters; JJ Golden, mastering engineer
- EVERYDAY LIFE
Coldplay
Daniel Green, Bill Rahko & Rik Simpson, producers; Mark “Spike” Stent, engineer/mixer; Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer
- DJESSE VOL.3
Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier, producer; Ben Bloomberg & Jacob Collier, engineers/mixers; Jacob Collier, songwriter; Chris Allgood & Emily Lazar, mastering engineers
- WOMEN IN MUSIC PT. III
HAIM
Rostam Batmanglij, Danielle Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, producers; Rostam Batmanglij, Jasmine Chen, John DeBold, Matt DiMona, Tom Elmhirst, Joey Messina-Doerning & Ariel Rechtshaid, engineers/mixers; Rostam Batmanglij, Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer
- FUTURE NOSTALGIA
Dua Lipa
Koz, producer; Josh Gudwin & Cameron Gower Poole, engineers/mixers; Clarence Coffee Jr. & Dua Lipa, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
- HOLLYWOOD’S BLEEDING
Post Malone
Louis Bell & Frank Dukes, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
- FOLKLORE
Taylor Swift
Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, producers; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Jonathan Low & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
Song Of The Year
- “BLACK PARADE”
Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
- “THE BOX”
Samuel Gloade & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
- “CARDIGAN”
Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
- “CIRCLES”
Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)
- “DON’T START NOW”
Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa & Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
- “EVERYTHING I WANTED”
Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
- “I CAN’T BREATHE”
Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
- “IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING”
Julia Michaels & JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels)
Best New Artist
- INGRID ANDRESS
- PHOEBE BRIDGERS
- CHIKA
- NOAH CYRUS
- D SMOKE
- DOJA CAT
- KAYTRANADA
- MEGAN THEE STALLION
Best Pop Solo Performance
- “YUMMY”
Justin Bieber
- “SAY SO”
Doja Cat
- “EVERYTHING I WANTED”
Billie Eilish
- “DON’T START NOW”
Dua Lipa
- “WATERMELON SUGAR”
Harry Styles
- “CARDIGAN”
Taylor Swift
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
- “UN DIA (ONE DAY)”
J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
- “INTENTIONS”
Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo
- “DYNAMITE”
BTS
- “RAIN ON ME”
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande
- “EXILE”
Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver
Best Pop Vocal Album
- CHANGES
Justin Bieber
- CHROMATICA
Lady Gaga
- FUTURE NOSTALGIA
Dua Lipa
- FINE LINE
Harry Styles
- FOLKLORE
Taylor Swift
Best Alternative Music Album
- FETCH THE BOLT CUTTERS
Fiona Apple
- HYPERSPACE
Beck
- PUNISHER
Phoebe Bridgers
- JAIME
Brittany Howard
- THE SLOW RUSH
Tame Impala
Best R&B Performance
- “LIGHTNING & THUNDER”
Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend
- “BLACK PARADE”
Beyoncé
- “ALL I NEED”
Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
- “GOAT HEAD”
Brittany Howard
- “SEE ME”
Emily King
Best Traditional R&B Performance
- “SIT ON DOWN”
The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor
- “WONDER WHAT SHE THINKS OF ME”
Chloe X Halle
- “LET ME GO”
Mykal Kilgore
- “ANYTHING FOR YOU”
Ledisi
- “DISTANCE”
Yebba
Best R&B Song
- “BETTER THAN I IMAGINE”
Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)
- “BLACK PARADE”
Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
- “COLLIDE”
Sam Barsh, Stacey Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar & Benedetto Rotondi, songwriters (Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG)
- “DO IT”
Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch & Vincent Van Den Ende, songwriters (Chloe X Halle)
- “SLOW DOWN”
Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley & H.E.R.)
Best Progressive R&B Album
- CHILOMBO
Jhené Aiko
- UNGODLY HOUR
Chloe X Halle
- FREE NATIONALS
Free Nationals
- F*** YO FEELINGS
Robert Glasper
- IT IS WHAT IT IS
Thundercat
Best R&B Album
- HAPPY 2 BE HERE
Ant Clemons
- TAKE TIME
Giveon
- TO FEEL LOVE/D
Luke James
- BIGGER LOVE
John Legend
- ALL RISE
Gregory Porter
Best Rock Performance
- “SHAMEIKA”
Fiona Apple
- “NOT”
Big Thief
- “KYOTO”
Phoebe Bridgers
- “THE STEPS”
HAIM
- “STAY HIGH”
Brittany Howard
- “DAYLIGHT”
Grace Potter
Best Metal Performance
- “BUM-RUSH”
Body Count
- “UNDERNEATH”
Code Orange
- “THE IN-BETWEEN”
In This Moment
- “BLOODMONEY”
Poppy
- “EXECUTIONER’S TAX (SWING OF THE AXE) – LIVE”
Power Trip
Best Rock Song
- “KYOTO”
Phoebe Bridgers, Morgan Nagler & Marshall Vore, songwriters (Phoebe Bridgers)
- “LOST IN YESTERDAY”
Kevin Parker, songwriter (Tame Impala)
- “NOT”
Adrianne Lenker, songwriter (Big Thief)
- “SHAMEIKA”
Fiona Apple, songwriter (Fiona Apple)
- “STAY HIGH”
Brittany Howard, songwriter (Brittany Howard)
Best Rock Album
- A HERO’S DEATH
Fontaines D.C.
- KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
- DAYLIGHT
Grace Potter
- SOUND & FURY
Sturgill Simpson
- THE NEW ABNORMAL
The Strokes
Best Comedy Album
- BLACK MITZVAH
Tiffany Haddish
- I LOVE EVERYTHING
Patton Oswalt
- THE PALE TOURIST
Jim Gaffigan
- PAPER TIGER
Bill Burr
- 23 HOURS TO KILL
Jerry Seinfeld
