And the Grammy goes to ...
Famous for its often debatable nominations and results, the Grammy Awards will be held a week earlier than usual this year. The eligibility period was cut by a month to accommodate the change, meaning anything released after August has to wait a year to be recognised. This ruled out Grammy regular Jay-Z and promising newbie Kid Cudi from the running.
Female soloists dominate this year, with Beyonce leading the nominations with 10 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with eight nominations, while Lady Gaga pulled in five. The women all received nominations in the big three categories: Album, Record and Song of the Year.
This year is the first time in his career Kanye West hasn't been listed for Album or Song of the Year; Grammy favourites U2 and Green Day aren't mentioned in the biggest categories; Katy Perry is bizarrely a contender for Best Female Pop Vocalist; and Johnny Depp could win for best album notes, proving anything can happen.
Album of the Year
I Am Sasha Fierce - Beyonce/ The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas/ The Fame - Lady Gaga/ Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King - Dave Matthews Band/ Fearless - Taylor Swift
It's really a battle between Beyonce and Swift, as the panel is yet to fully embrace mainstream dance/pop. Married to one of the most respected hip hop artists, and with countless collaborations behind her, Beyonce is surely odds-on to win. But Swift is the best-selling artist of the year. And there's a chance Kanye West will interrupt her again...
Record of the Year
Halo - Beyonce/ I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas/ Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon/ Poker Face - Lady Gaga/ You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
Beyonce would have been a dead cert if she'd submitted Single Ladies. The dance and pop nominees may split the vote, so the only rock song, Use Somebody, is in with a chance. But if the panel wants to please the audience, they'll ensure Lady Gaga gets to show off her latest look.
Song of the Year
Poker Face - Lady Gaga/ Pretty Wings - Maxwell/ Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) - Beyonce/ Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon/ You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
This award is for the people who created the song before any mixing or production. In the 51 years of Grammy history, 24 of the winners of Record of the Year also brought home the Song of the Year crown.
As fellow musicians vote, the more people involved in writing the song, the higher the chance of winning. But the panel also likes to pay tribute to returning veterans, making Maxwell, who returns to the charts after an eight-year hiatus, a major possible upset.
New Artist:
Zac Brown Band/ Keri Hilson/ The Ting Tings/ Silversun Pickups/MGMT
We all know Lady Gaga is the ultimate new artist, so there's nothing to debate but the rule that prevents her being on the list due to last year's nomination. The academy's vague definition of 'new artist' covers a record that 'first establishes the public identity of that artist as a performer', and seriously needs to be revised.
Country group Zac Brown Band made the list on the back of an impressive breakthrough (third) album but Keri Hilson may be favoured for scoring songwriting credits before launching a singing career. Psych-pop duo MGMT should have been nominated and won last year, but it's better late than never.
