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American Songwriter’s Staff Predictions for the 2022 Grammy Awards

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards are finally here.

After a postponement in January due to an upswing in Omicron cases, The Recording Academy rescheduled the award ceremony for Sunday, April 3. The ceremony will be broadcasted from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.

Videos by American Songwriter

In celebration of the event, American Songwriter’s staff put our heads together to predict the winners of a just few categories. For the categories of General Field, Pop, Rock, Alternative, R&B, Rap, Country, and American Roots Music we chose one or two nominations that we think have a good shot at taking home the Grammy.

Read below for a few of our predictions, and see if you agree.


General Field

Record of the Year

I Still Have Faith in You, ABBA
Freedom, Jon Batiste
I Get a Kick Out of You, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Peaches, Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon
Right on Time, Brandi Carlile
Kiss Me More, Doja Cat feat. SZA
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Montero (Call Me By Your Name), Lil Nas X
drivers license, Olivia Rodrigo
Leave the Door Open, Silk Sonic

American Songwriter Picks: (Split) Rodrigo’s โ€œdrivers licenseโ€ or Eilish’s โ€œHappier Than Everโ€

Album of the Year

We Are, Jon Batiste
Love for Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Back of My Mind, H.E.R.
Montero, Lil Nas X
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
evermore, Taylor Swift
Donda, Kanye West

American Songwriter Picks: Eilish’s Happier Than Ever

Song of the Year

โ€œPeaches,โ€ Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon
โ€œRight on Time,โ€ Brandi Carlile
โ€œKiss Me More,โ€ Doja Cat feat. SZA
โ€œHappier Than Ever,โ€ Billie Eilish
โ€œFight for You,โ€ H.E.R.
โ€œA Beautiful Noise,โ€ Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile
โ€œMontero (Call Me By Your Name),โ€ Lil Nas X
โ€œdrivers license,โ€ Olivia Rodrigo
โ€œBad Habits,โ€ Ed Sheeran
โ€œLeave the Door Open,โ€ Silk Sonic

American Songwriter Picks: Rodrigo’s โ€œdrivers license”

Best New Artist

Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

American Songwriter Picks: Olivia Rodrigo

Pop

Best Pop Solo Performance

โ€œAnyone,โ€ Justin Bieber
โ€œRight on Time,โ€ Brandi Carlile
โ€œHappier Than Ever,โ€ Billie Eilish
โ€œpositions,โ€ Ariana Grande
โ€œdrivers license,โ€ Olivia Rodrigo

American Songwriter Picks: (Split) Carlile’s โ€œRight on Time” or Rodrigo’s โ€œdrivers license”

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

โ€œI Get a Kick Out of You,โ€ Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
โ€œLonely,โ€ Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco
โ€œButter,โ€ BTS
โ€œHigher Power,โ€ Coldplay
โ€œKiss Me More,โ€ Doja Cat feat. SZA


American Songwriter Picks: Gaga and Bennett’s “I Get a Kick Out of You”

Best Pop Vocal Album

Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
positions, Ariana Grande
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo


American Songwriter Picks: Eilish’s Happier Than Ever

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Love for Sale, Tony Bennettย andย Lady Gaga
Til We Meet Againย (Live), Norah Jones
A Tori Kelly Christmas,ย Tori Kelly
Ledisi Sings Nina,ย Ledisi
Thatโ€™s Life,ย Willie Nelson
A Holly Dolly Christmas,ย Dolly Parton


American Songwriter Picks: Gaga and Bennett’s Love for Sale

Rock

Best Rock Performance

โ€œShot in the Dark,โ€ AC/DC
โ€œKnow You Better (Live from Capitol Studio A),โ€ Black Pumas
โ€œNothing Compares 2 U,โ€ Chris Cornell
โ€œOhms,โ€ Deftones
โ€œMaking a Fire,โ€ Foo Fighters


American Songwriter Picks: Foo Fighters’ โ€œMaking a Fire”

Best Rock Song

โ€œWaiting on a War,โ€ Foo Fighters
โ€œThe Bandit,โ€ Kings of Leon
โ€œDistance,โ€ Mammoth WVH
โ€œFind My Way,โ€ Paul McCartney
โ€œAll My Favorite Songs,โ€ Weezer


American Songwriter Picks: Foo Fighters’ โ€œWaiting on a War”

Best Rock Album

Power Up, AC/DC
Capitol Cuts โ€” Live from Studio A, Black Pumas
No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1, Chris Cornell
Medicine at Midnight, Foo Fighters
McCartney III, Paul McCartney


American Songwriter Picks: Foo Fighters’ Medicine at Midnight

Alternative

Best Alternative Music Album

Shore, Fleet Foxes
If I Canโ€™t Have Love, I Want Power, Halsey
Jubilee, Japanese Breakfast
Collapsed in Sunbeams, Arlo Parks
Daddyโ€™s Home, St. Vincent


American Songwriter Picks: (Split) Fleet Foxes’ Shore or Halsey’s If I Canโ€™t Have Love, I Want Power

R&B

Best R&B Performance

โ€œLost You,โ€ Snoh Aalegra
โ€œPeaches,โ€ Justin Bieber feat. Giveon and Daniel Caesar
โ€œDamage,โ€ H.E.R.
โ€œLeave the Door Open,โ€ Silk Sonic
โ€œPick Up Your Feelings,โ€ Jazmine Sullivan


American Songwriter Picks: Silk Sonic’s โ€œLeave the Door Open”

Best Traditional R&B Performance

โ€œI Need You,โ€ Jon Batiste
โ€œBring It on Home to Me,โ€ BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, and Kenyon Dixon feat. Charlie Bereal
โ€œBorn Again,โ€ Leon Bridges feat. Robert Glasper
โ€œFight for You,โ€ H.E.R.
โ€œHow Much Can a Heart Take,โ€ Lucky Daye feat. Yebba


American Songwriter Picks: Jon Batiste’s “I Need You”

Best R&B Song

โ€œHeartbreak Anniversary,โ€ Giveon
โ€œDamage,โ€ H.E.R.
โ€œLeave the Door Open,โ€ Silk Sonic
โ€œPick Up Your Feelings,โ€ Jazmine Sullivan
โ€œGood Days,โ€ SZA


American Songwriter Picks: H.E.R.’s โ€œDamage”

Best Progressive R&B Album

New Light, Eric Bellinger
Something to Say, Cory Henry
Mood Valiant, Hiatus Kaiyote
Table for Two, Lucky Daye
Dinner Party: Dessert, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, Kamasi Washington
Studying Abroad: Extended Stay, Masego


American Songwriter Picks: (Split) Lucky Daye’s Table for Two or Dinner Party: Dessert

Best R&B Album

Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies, Snoh Aalegra
We Are, Jon Batiste
Gold-Diggers Sound, Leon Bridges
Back of My Mind, H.E.R.
Heaux Tales, Jazmine Sullivan

American Songwriter Picks: (Split ) Jon Batiste’s We Are or H.E.R.’s Back of My Mind

Rap

Best Rap Performance

โ€œFamily Ties,โ€ Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar
โ€œUp,โ€ Cardi B
โ€œMy Life,โ€ J. Cole feat. 21 Savage and Morray
โ€œThot Shit,โ€ Megan Thee Stallion


American Songwriter Picks: Megan The Stallion’s โ€œThot Shit”

Best Rap Album

The Off-Season, J. Cole
Kingโ€™s Disease II, Nas
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, the Creator
Donda, Kanye West

American Songwriter Picks: Tyler, the Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost

Best Melodic Rap Performance

โ€œPride Is the Devil,โ€ J. Cole feat. Lil Baby
โ€œNeed to Know,โ€ Doja Cat
โ€œIndustry Baby,โ€ Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow
โ€œWusYaName,โ€ Tyler, the Creator feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign
โ€œHurricane,โ€ Kanye West feat. the Weeknd and Lil Baby

American Songwriter Picks: Kanye West’s “Hurricane”

Best Rap Song

โ€œMy Life,โ€ J. Cole feat. 21 Savage and Morray
โ€œBath Salts,โ€ DMX feat. Jay-Z and Nas
โ€œFamily Ties,โ€ Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar
โ€œBest Friend,โ€ Saweetie feat. Doja Cat
โ€œJail,โ€ Kanye West feat. Jay-Z

American Songwriter Picks: DMX’s “Bath Salts”

Country

Best Country Solo Performance

โ€œForever After All,โ€ Luke Combs
โ€œRemember Her Name,โ€ Mickey Guyton
โ€œAll I Do Is Drive,โ€ Jason Isbell
โ€œCamera Roll,โ€ Kacey Musgraves
โ€œYou Should Probably Leave,โ€ Chris Stapleton

American Songwriter Picks: Mickey Guyton’s “Remember Her Name”

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

โ€œIf I Didnโ€™t Love You,โ€ Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
โ€œYounger Me,โ€ Brothers Osborne
โ€œGlad You Exist,โ€ Dan + Shay
โ€œChasing After You,โ€ Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris
โ€œDrunk (And I Donโ€™t Wanna Go Home),โ€ Elle King and Miranda Lambert

American Songwriter Picks: Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s “If I Didnโ€™t Love You”

Best Country Song

โ€œRemember Her Name,โ€ Mickey Guyton
โ€œBetter Than We Found It,โ€ Maren Morris
โ€œCamera Roll,โ€ Kacey Musgraves
โ€œCountry Again,โ€ Thomas Rhett
โ€œCold,โ€ Chris Stapleton

American Songwriter Picks: Guyton’s “Remember Her Name”

Best Country Album

Skeletons – Brothers Osborne.
Remember Her Name – Mickey Guyton.
The Marfa Tapes – Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall.
The Ballad of Dood and Juanita – Sturgill Simpson.
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton

American Songwriter picks: Chris Stapleton’s Starting Over

Best American Roots Performance

Cry, Jon Batiste
Love And Regret, Billy Strings
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, The Blind Boys Of Alabama & Bรฉla Fleck
Same Devil, Brandy Clark Featuring Brandi Carlile
Nightflyer, Allison Russell


American Songwriter Picks: Brand Clark feat. Brandi Carlile’s Same Devil

Best American Roots Song

“Avalon,” Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
“Bored,” Linda Chorney Featuring Becca Byram, EJ Ouellette & Trevor Sewellzz
“Call Me A Fool,” Valerie June Featuring Carla Thomas
“Cry,” Jon Batiste
“Diamond Studded Shoes,” Yola
“Nightflyer,” Allison Russell

American Songwriter Picks: Yola’s “Diamond Studded Shoes”

Best Americana Album

Downhill From Everywhere, Jackson Browne
Leftover Feelings, John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band
Native Sons, Los Lobos
Outside Child, Allison Russell
Stand For Myself, Yola

American Songwriter Picks: Allison Russell’s Outside Child

Best Bluegrass Album

Renewal, Billy Strings
My Bluegrass Heart, Bรฉla Fleck
A Tribute To Bill Monroe, The Infamous Stringdusters
Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions), Sturgill Simpson
Music Is What I See, Rhonda Vincent

American Songwriter Picks: Billy Strings’ Renewal

Best Traditional Blues Album

100 Years Of Blues, Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite
Traveler’s Blues, Blues Traveler
I Be Trying, Cedric Burnside
Be Ready When I Call You, Guy Davis
Take Me Back, Kim Wilson

American Songwriter Picks: Blues Traveler’s Traveler’s Blues

Best Contemporary Blues Album

Delta Kream, The Black Keys Featuring Eric Deaton & Kenny Brown
Royal Tea, Joe Bonamassa
Uncivil War, Shemekia Copeland
Fire It Up, Steve Cropper
662, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

American Songwriter Picks: Joe Bonamassa’s Royal Tea

Best Folk Album

One Night Lonely [Live], Mary Chapin Carpenter
Long Violent History, Tyler Childers
Wednesday (Extended Edition), Madison Cunningham
They’re Calling Me Home, Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
Blue Heron Suite, Sarah Jarosz

American Songwriter Picks: Rhiannon Giddens’ They’re Calling Me Home

Best Regional Roots Music Album

Live In New Orleans!, Sean Ardoin And Kreole Rock And Soul
Bloodstains & Teardrops, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
My People, Cha Wa
Corey Ledet Zydeco, Corey Ledet Zydeco
Kau Ka Pe’a, Kalani Pe’a

American Songwriter Picks: Sean Ardoin and Kreole Rock And Soul’s Live In New Orleans!


Do you agree with our picks? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: Don Emmert/Getty Images