This morning, we were all graced with the 2016 Grammy nominations. In proper MichaelPiff.com fashion, just like with other award shows, I’m making my WAY TOO EARLY picks with the awards not being presented until 2 months from now (Feb. 15th, 2016).
Kendrick Lamar leads all with 11 nominations while Taylor Swift and The Weeknd each have 7. Despite a heavy push in PR in November, Justin Bieber was held out (except for being featured on Jack Ü’s best dance recording nominee, Where Are Ü Now) as were many of his Top 40 pop peers like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Carly Rae Jepson.
I am surprised Modest Mouse, Sufjan Stevens and Mumford & Sons didn’t get much love, but a little relieved that Fall Out Boy was shutout for becoming what may be the saddest evolution of a band I used to greatly enjoy.
Keep in mind, these picks (like music in general) are totally subjective and my Favorites of 2015 (Music, Movies, TV, Sports, etc) lists will be hitting next week in case you need better context. As always, your thoughts and personal picks are welcome on Twitter and Facebook.
Record of the Year
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“Really Love” – D’Angelo (from Black Messiah)
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“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars (from Uptown Special)
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“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran (from X)
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“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift (from 1989)
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“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd (from Beauty Behind the Madness)
My Pick: “Really Love”
Album of the Year
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Sound & Color – The Alabama Shakes
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To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
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Traveler – Chris Stapleton
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1989 – Taylor Swift
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Beauty Behind the Madness – The Weeknd
My Pick: To Pimp A Butterfly
Song of the Year
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“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar (from To Pimp a Butterfly)
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“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift (from 1989)
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“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town (from Pain Killer)
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“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth (from Furious 7 Soundtrack)
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“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran (X)
My Pick: “Thinking Out Loud”
Best New Artist
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Courtney Barnett
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James Bay
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Sam Hunt
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Tori Kelly
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Meghan Trainor
My Pick: James Bay
Best Pop Solo Performance
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“Heartbeat Song” – Kelly Clarkson (from Piece by Piece)
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“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding (from 50 Shades of Grey Soundtrack)
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“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran (from X)
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“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd (Beauty Behind The Madness)
My Pick: “Can’t Feel My Face”
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
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“Ship To Wreck” – Florence + The Machine (from How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful)
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“Sugar” – Maroon 5 (from V)
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“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (Uptown Special)
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“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar (from 1989)
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“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth (from Furious 7 Soundtrack)
My Pick: “Uptown Funk”
Best Pop Vocal Album
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Piece by Piece – Kelly Clarkson
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How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence + The Machine
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Uptown Special – Mark Ronson
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1989 – Taylor Swift
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Before The World – James Taylor
My Pick: 1989
Best Rock Performance
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“Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes (from Sound & Color)
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“What Kind of Man” – Florence + The Machine (from How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful)
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“Something From Nothing” – Foo Fighters (from Sonic Highways)
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“Ex’s & Oh’s” – Elle King (from Love Stuff)
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“Moaning Lisa Smile” – Wolf Alice (from My Love Is Cool)
My Pick: “Something From Nothing”
Best Metal Performance
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“Identity” – August Burns Red (from Found in Far Away Places)
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“Cirice” – Ghost (from Meliora)
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“512” – Lamb of God (from VII: Sturm Und Drang)
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“Thank You” – Sevendust (from Kill The Flaw)
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“Custer” – Slipknot (from .5: The Gray Chapter)
My Pick: “Cirice”
Best Rock Song
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“Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes (from Color & Sound)
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“Ex’s & Oh’s” – Elle King (Love and Stuff)
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“Hold Back The River” – James Bay (Chaos and the Calm)
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“Lydia” – Highly Suspect (Mister Asylum)
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“What Kind of Man” – Florence + The Machine (How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful)
My Pick: “Hold Back The River”
Best Rock Album
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Chaos and the Calm – James Bay
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Kintsugi – Death Cab for Cutie
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Mister Asylum – Highly Suspect
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Drones – Muse
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.5: The Gray Chapter – Slipknot
My Pick: Drones
Best Alternative Music Album
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Sound and Color – Alabama Shakes
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Vulnicura – Björk
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The Waterfall – My Morning Jacket
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Currents – Tame Impala
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Star Wars – Wilco
My Pick: The Waterfall
(Toughest of all categories)
Best R&B Song
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“Coffee” – Miguel (from Wildheart)
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“Earned It” – The Weeknd (from Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack)
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“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan (from Reality Show)
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“Really Love” – D’Angelo (from Black Messiah)
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“Shame” – Tyrese (from Black Rose)
My Pick: “Really Love”
Best R&B Album
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Coming Home – Leon Bridges
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Black Messiah – D’Angelo and the Vanguard
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Cheers To The Fall – Andra Day
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Reality Show – Jazmine Sullivan
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Forever Charlie – Charlie Wilson
My Pick: Black Messiah
(Leon Bridges is also fantastic)
Best Rap Performance
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“Apparently” – J. Cole (from 2014 Forest Hill Drive)
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“Back To Back” – Drake
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“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap (from Fetty Wap)
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“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar (from To Pimp A Butterfly)
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“Truffle Butter” – Nicki Minaj feat Drake & Lil Wayne (from The Pinkprint)
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“All Day” – Kanye West (from Swish)
My Pick: “Alright”
Best Rap Song
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“All Day” – Kanye (from Swish)
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“Energy” – Drake (from If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late)
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“Glory” – Common & John Legend (from Selma Soundtrack)
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“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap (from Fetty Wap)
My Pick: “Glory”
michaelpiff 