The 67th annual Grammy nominations are finally here, immortalizing the songs, records and albums that defined a whirlwind year in music. With a wide pool of music nominated in various categories, here are my musings on which songs and albums should dominate at the Feb. 2 ceremony.
Album of the Year: Beyoncé’s “COWBOY CARTER”
In March, Beyoncé conquered the seemingly unconquerable: converting me into a country fan. Her new album “COWBOY CARTER” is an intergenre extravaganza intermingling country, bluegrass and R&B.
Announced just a week after the 2024 Grammys, the album shattered barriers for Black artists in the country genre and inspired a movement to reclaim their place in the country music canon. She also shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her jubilant “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” in February, becoming the first Black woman to ever do so.
The album itself was a masterful meditation on the American story, weaving in collaborations from giants like Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, as well as lesser-known artists like Tanner Adell and Shaboozey.
After being infamously snubbed for the Album of the Year title four times — despite being the most nominated and awarded artist in the awards’ history — no one is more deserving of and entitled to this prestigious award than “Queen Bey” herself.
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
No artist has had more of a rise than Chappell Roan, whose fame multiplied over the past few months. As her bold and inventive album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” gained popularity, Roan became the source of widespread acclaim.
The various tracks include the sultry “Casual,” the upbeat “Red Wine Supernova” and the chipper “Good Luck, Babe!” While other nominees like Sabrina Carpenter and Shaboozey have carved out a name for themselves throughout the year, no artist has quite matched Roan’s trajectory.
Song of the Year: “Not Like Us”
No feud was more closely watched than the legendary beef between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake. While a plethora of diss tracks were dropped by both artists, “Not Like Us” was a clear standout.
There were approximately four consecutive weeks this summer when people, both old and young, were screaming Lamar’s inflammatory lyrics, “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophile.” The song itself is nothing short of a banger. Featuring gut-punch lyrics and Lamar’s signature sound, other rappers should take detailed notes.
Record of the Year: “Espresso”
“I’m working late ‘cause I’m a singer” was a phrase the entire world was uttering for months this year — clever renditions of the lyric even pasted on various merchandise.
Sabrina Carpenter’s resurgence was one of the greatest boons for pop culture this year, and it’s all thanks to the now legendary “Espresso.” In the song, she teases her romantic appeal in earworm verses like “I can’t relate to desperation / My give-a-f—s are on vacation.” The song cemented Carpenter as the ultimate artist to watch.
Despite six albums under her belt, “Espresso” was the track that granted her the global appeal she deserves.
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