Album of the Year
Winner - Kendrick Lamar "DAMN."
Runners Up - LCD Soundsystem "American Dream", SZA "CTRL", and A Tribe Called Quest “We Got it From Here…Thank You For Your Service”
Commentary - For the first time in these awards short history, an artist has won this top award twice. Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest rappers of all time, and four albums in, he doesn't show any sign of slowing up. DAMN is yet another masterpiece from hip-hop's newest master. Stylish yet tough, dark yet at times fun. Impeccable song writing and master production value, easily make this the best album of this year. I hope the Grammy voters finally agree.
Runners Up - LCD Soundsystem "American Dream", SZA "CTRL", and A Tribe Called Quest “We Got it From Here…Thank You For Your Service”
Commentary - For the first time in these awards short history, an artist has won this top award twice. Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest rappers of all time, and four albums in, he doesn't show any sign of slowing up. DAMN is yet another masterpiece from hip-hop's newest master. Stylish yet tough, dark yet at times fun. Impeccable song writing and master production value, easily make this the best album of this year. I hope the Grammy voters finally agree.
Single of the Year
Winner - Kendrick Lamar "HUMBLE"
Runners Up - Kesha "Praying" and Bruno Mars "That's What I Like"
Commentary - Praying is a power anthem, and That's What I Like is pure 90's R&B bliss, but HUMBLE is Kendrick Lamar at his best. It was a catchy, important, and beautifully crafted song.
Runners Up - Kesha "Praying" and Bruno Mars "That's What I Like"
Commentary - Praying is a power anthem, and That's What I Like is pure 90's R&B bliss, but HUMBLE is Kendrick Lamar at his best. It was a catchy, important, and beautifully crafted song.
Best New Artist
Winner - SZA
Other Contenders - Khalid and Julia Michaels
Commentary - On her first full-length album, SZA proved she has a bright future in modern R&B music. Her album CTRL has potent autobiographical lyrics, showcases her vocal abilities, and in many ways continues to push her genre further by combining old instincts with new sounds. Her future in this business is bright indeed, and once again, I hope Grammy voters recognize that on their ballots this year.
Other Contenders - Khalid and Julia Michaels
Commentary - On her first full-length album, SZA proved she has a bright future in modern R&B music. Her album CTRL has potent autobiographical lyrics, showcases her vocal abilities, and in many ways continues to push her genre further by combining old instincts with new sounds. Her future in this business is bright indeed, and once again, I hope Grammy voters recognize that on their ballots this year.
Best Pop Vocal Album
Winner - Kesha "Rainbow"
Runner Up - Lorde "Melodrama"
Commentary - I never thought in this lifetime that I would reward Ke$ha with a music award. But this award isn't for Ke$ha, this one is for Kesha. The music industry chewed her up and spat her out, abused her kindness and talent, and created a pop machine. Through her pain though, came the rebirth of an artist, in a transformation rarely seen in modern music. She can still have fun, as evidenced by her Dap Kings collaboration Woman, but also shows us her pain, her emotion, her raw energy as an artist, and her never-before-seen talent. On her song Praying she sings, "I'm proud of who I am". I think I speak for all of her fans, when we say we are proud of your personal strength and ability to overcome hardship, and we are proud of the brave new artist you have become. I cannot wait to see what she does next, but I'm sure it will be spectacular.
Runner Up - Lorde "Melodrama"
Commentary - I never thought in this lifetime that I would reward Ke$ha with a music award. But this award isn't for Ke$ha, this one is for Kesha. The music industry chewed her up and spat her out, abused her kindness and talent, and created a pop machine. Through her pain though, came the rebirth of an artist, in a transformation rarely seen in modern music. She can still have fun, as evidenced by her Dap Kings collaboration Woman, but also shows us her pain, her emotion, her raw energy as an artist, and her never-before-seen talent. On her song Praying she sings, "I'm proud of who I am". I think I speak for all of her fans, when we say we are proud of your personal strength and ability to overcome hardship, and we are proud of the brave new artist you have become. I cannot wait to see what she does next, but I'm sure it will be spectacular.
Best Pop Performance
Winner - Kesha "Praying"
Runner Up - Harry Styles "Sign of the Times" and Lady Gaga "Million Reasons"
Commentary - Praying was a song for 2017. In the midst of the floodgate that has seen many powerful men fall down due to their indiscretions, this song can serve as a reminder that all those who have suffered abuse of any kind can pull through and can triumph. This song is powerful, it's potent, and it's a perfect representation of the new artist Kesha has become, freed from her constraints, and allowed live up to her talent.
Runner Up - Harry Styles "Sign of the Times" and Lady Gaga "Million Reasons"
Commentary - Praying was a song for 2017. In the midst of the floodgate that has seen many powerful men fall down due to their indiscretions, this song can serve as a reminder that all those who have suffered abuse of any kind can pull through and can triumph. This song is powerful, it's potent, and it's a perfect representation of the new artist Kesha has become, freed from her constraints, and allowed live up to her talent.
Best Rock/Alternative Album
Winner - (TIE) LCD Soundsystem "American Dream" and Leonard Cohen "You Want It Darker"
Runner Up - Queens of the Stone Age "Villains"
Commentary - In their return LCD Soundsystem gives a lot old fans of their work will love, with its nostalgia. Yet, the energy and creativity given to each song showcases a band that is always working to keep their sound fresh and exciting. I also though could not leave without honoring the last brutal, honest, dark, and wonderful album of the great Leonard Cohen. Rest in peace old friend.
Runner Up - Queens of the Stone Age "Villains"
Commentary - In their return LCD Soundsystem gives a lot old fans of their work will love, with its nostalgia. Yet, the energy and creativity given to each song showcases a band that is always working to keep their sound fresh and exciting. I also though could not leave without honoring the last brutal, honest, dark, and wonderful album of the great Leonard Cohen. Rest in peace old friend.
Best Rock/Alternative Performance
Winner - LCD Soundsystem "Call the Police"
Runners Up - Arcade Fire "Everything Now" and Beck "Dear Life"
Commentary - Call the Police is the perfect representation of LCD's vibrant return.
Runners Up - Arcade Fire "Everything Now" and Beck "Dear Life"
Commentary - Call the Police is the perfect representation of LCD's vibrant return.
Best R&B Album
Winner - SZA "CTRL"
Runners Up - Childish Gambino "Awaken, My Love!" and Bruno Mars "24K Magic"
Commentary - See Best New Artist.
Runners Up - Childish Gambino "Awaken, My Love!" and Bruno Mars "24K Magic"
Commentary - See Best New Artist.
Best R&B Performance
Winner - Bruno Mars "That's What I Like"
Runners Up - SZA "The Weekend" and Childish Gambino "Redbone"
Commentary - Like I said in Single of the Year, That's What I Like is perfect 90's soul, with a sick beat and catchy lyrics. I used to hate Bruno Mars, when he was in his pop phase. But since he rediscovered his soul side, he has become an essential and fun artist to watch.
Runners Up - SZA "The Weekend" and Childish Gambino "Redbone"
Commentary - Like I said in Single of the Year, That's What I Like is perfect 90's soul, with a sick beat and catchy lyrics. I used to hate Bruno Mars, when he was in his pop phase. But since he rediscovered his soul side, he has become an essential and fun artist to watch.
Best Rap Album
Winner - (TIE) Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.” and A Tribe Called Quest “We Got it From Here…Thank You For Your Service”
Runner Up - Jay-Z "4:44"
Commentary - DAMN is the best album of the year. But the legends A Tribe Called Quest released one of the best albums of the year, with the final work of the late Phife Dawg. I didn't want to go away this year without honoring this great achievement, and the achievement of a late, great rap legend.
Runner Up - Jay-Z "4:44"
Commentary - DAMN is the best album of the year. But the legends A Tribe Called Quest released one of the best albums of the year, with the final work of the late Phife Dawg. I didn't want to go away this year without honoring this great achievement, and the achievement of a late, great rap legend.
Best Rap Performance
Winner - Kendrick Lamar "HUMBLE"
Runners Up - Cardi B "Bodak Yellow" and A Tribe Called Quest "We the People..."
Commentary - See Single of the Year
Runners Up - Cardi B "Bodak Yellow" and A Tribe Called Quest "We the People..."
Commentary - See Single of the Year
Best Country Album
Winner - Chris Stapleton "From a Room: Vol. 1"
Runner Up - Miranda Lambert "The Weight of These Wings"
Commentary - I'm not a huge country fan, but I respect the hell out of Chris Stapleton, and his latest two-volume work proves why he is an impeccable artist with amazing talent.
Runner Up - Miranda Lambert "The Weight of These Wings"
Commentary - I'm not a huge country fan, but I respect the hell out of Chris Stapleton, and his latest two-volume work proves why he is an impeccable artist with amazing talent.
Best Country Performance
Winner - Little Big Town "Better Man"
Runners Up - Miranda Lambert "Tin Man" and Willie Nelson "Delete and Fast-Forward"
Commentary - The folks in Little Big Town sure as hell know how to write a song. While not quite as clever as Girl Crush, Better Man is still clever as hell, catchy, and showcases these artist's vocal and songwriting talents.
Runners Up - Miranda Lambert "Tin Man" and Willie Nelson "Delete and Fast-Forward"
Commentary - The folks in Little Big Town sure as hell know how to write a song. While not quite as clever as Girl Crush, Better Man is still clever as hell, catchy, and showcases these artist's vocal and songwriting talents.
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