2016 Grammy Predictions - Rap and R&B

Best Rap Album
Will Win - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Could Win - Nicki Minaj "The Pinkprint" or Drake "If You're Reading This You're Too Late"
Should Win - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Commentary - We've seen surprises in this category before, but Kendrick Lamar could end up winning Album of the Year, and he was easily the best of the bunch. I think this one is a pretty safe bet.

Best Rap Performance
Will Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Could Win - Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney "All Day"
Should Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Commentary - Kendrick Lamar is on a roll, having won this category last year, but if voters want to see Paul McCartney win a rap Grammy, this is their chance.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Will Win - Big Sean feat. John Legend and Kanye West "One Man Can Change the World"
Could Win - John Legend and Common "Glory"
Should Win - John Legend and Common "Glory"
Commentary - I feel weird not predicting Glory here, but I think that One Man Can Change the World will surprise everyone with a win here.

Best Rap Song
Will Win - Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams "Alright"
Could Win - Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith & John Stephens "Glory" or tons of people for "All Day"
Should Win - This seems like a lock for the only one to cross over to Song of the Year. But Common and John Legend won an Oscar for Glory, and All Day has so many songwriters that it is hard to pass up, including Kendrick Lamar, and once again Paul McCartney in a rap award.

Best R&B Album
Will Win - D'Angelo and the Vanguard "Black Messiah"
Could Win - Leon Bridges "Coming Home" or Charlie Wilson "Forever Charlie"
Should Win - Charlie Wilson is the legend, and Leon Bridges is a wonderful new voice. But D'Angelo's was the best album, a long awaited return, and got some general category love. I think he wins here.

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Will Win - The Weeknd "Beauty Behind the Madness"
Could Win - Miguel "Wildheart"
Should Win - The Weeknd "Beauty Behind the Madness"
Commentary - With that Album of the Year nomination, anyone but The Weeknd here would be a shock.

Best R&B Performance
Will Win - The Weeknd "Earned It"
Could Win - Andra Day "Rise Up"
Should Win - Andra Day "Rise Up"
Commentary - I discovered Andra Day late in the game, and I'm glad I did because she is an incredible new talent. But The Weeknd is, well, The Weeknd.

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Will Win - Jazmine Sullivan "Let it Burn"
Could Win - Tyrese "Shame"
Should Win - Jazmine Sullivan "Let it Burn"
Commentary - Both Shame and Let it Burn got song nominations. I give the edge to Sullivan.

Best R&B Song
Will Win - Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville & Abel Tesfaye "Earned It"
Could Win - D'Angelo & Kendra Foster "Really Love"
Should Win - D'Angelo & Kendra Foster "Really Love"
Commentary - Really Love is the best of the bunch, but I think the power of The Weekend will triumph.