Final Grammy Predictions

Album of the Year
Adele "21"
Tony Bennett "Duets II"
Lady Gaga "Born This Way"
Taylor Swift "Back to December"
Kanye West "My Beautiful Dark and Twisted Fantasy"

Commentary - I would say that Tony Bennett could be replaced by Paul Simon, Taylor Swift by Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, or Brad Paisley, and Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters and other previous Grammy winners are ones to watch out for. But honestly, these five seem to be the growing consensus, which means probably only 3 or 4 will actually get it. The one to look for a drop is Kanye West. There is still a lot bad taste after some of his indiscretions, but hopefully the Grammys see past this and give him a deserved nomination, or at least get Watch the Throne, a lesser ,but still deserving work. Also watch out for Nicki Minaj, good reviews, great sales, and enough radio play to outshine even the best, she could be completely embraced by the Recording Academy.

Record of the Year
Adele "Rolling in the Deep"
Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson "Don't You Wanna Stay"
Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga "The Lady is a Tramp"
Nicki Minaj "Super Bass"
Katy Perry "Firework"

Commentary - I know that Bruno Mars will probably get in here, but I am personally excluding him because Grenade is such a cringe-worthy song, I hope the Grammys notice and exclude him. I also think that Foster the People could easily get in, but it's hard to predict whether the Grammys will embrace a new artist or not. So we know that Adele and Perry are the top two contenders for their mammoth hits. Lady Gaga did not submit Born This Way, and will regret it, but there is a possibility that the Recording Academy kills two birds with one stone and gets Tony in the mix with Lady is a Tramp. There is usually a country nominee, and Aldean is performing, so expect him to come away with at least one big nomination, a duo with Kelly Clarkson seems like a good possibility. Finally, there has been a rap nominee most years, and with some strong entries in the Album of the Year category from top rap artists, there is probably going to be at least one Record of the Year nod. Watch the Throne never took off with any singles (The album did well as a whole though), and while I would personally like All of the Lights to be nominated,  I am going out on a limb to say that the infectious monster-hit Super Bass, by newcomer Nicki Minaj steals the spotlight.

Song of the Year
Adele "Rolling in the Deep"
Bruno Mars "Grenade"
Mumford & Sons "The Cave"
Taylor Swift "Back to December"
Kanye West "All of the Lights"

Commentary - Let's be honest, I never get Song of the Year right, and there is always an oddball choice that throws everyone off. I know what I said about Mars, but people think he is a good songwriter, as they do about Swift, so probably both get in here, even if neither get Record of the Year nominations. My outside choice is Mumford & Sons, which I am personally rooting for. I think You and I, and All of the Lights should be in there. So while because I think Gaga should have submitted a different song, I am going with All of the Lights. Watch out for Katy Perry though. Oh and of course, Adele is in.

Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
Foster the People
Jessie J
Nicki Minaj

Commentary - This one is also always so tough, but this year, I think it is safe to say that Nicki, Foster, Band Perry, and Bon Iver all have really good shots. Civil Wars and Tyler the Creator are top picks, but they have bigger acts in their own categories ahead of them. Also, there is usually a British act in the mix, so I am going with Jessie J, who had bigger hits than Ellie Golding, who could still get in though. Also watch out for Hot Chelle Rae, J. Cole, and Christina Perri.