2019 Grammy Awards
One of my biggest traditions is to watch every Best Picture nominee for the Oscar's so that I can make an educated decision on movie of the year. With my deep passion for music, I decided to finally do the same for the Grammy Awards. Below I give a synopsis for each Album Of The Year nomination, as well as my predicted winner. Please visit The Grammy's website for a the rest of the award categories and nominations.
Invasion of Privacy - Cardi B: To my knowledge, a hip hop album has NEVER won the album of the year. Even last year with the great nominations of Childish Gambino, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar, no dice. So to sit here and say Cardi B would be the first ever... I don't think so. Her album is ok. She has some great features, and possibly one of the best tracks of the year in Bodak Yellow, but overall it falls short. Cardi is a young rapper, with a ton of potential. Someday I think she will meet those expectations. Right now, she is still a subpar MC, trying to perfect her technique.
Rating - 2/5
Favorite Songs - Best Life, Be Careful, I Like It
Scorpion - Drake: Please refer to my previous post on this album for a full analysis. Bottom line, the album is too long. Drake brings the usual heat, and if anyone is gonna break the Grammy hip hop streak, it would be the king of Toronto. But I don't see it happening.
Rating - 3.5/5
Favorite Songs - Survival, 8 out of 10, God's Plan, Nice for What, Emotionless
H.E.R. - H.E.R. : I would have never listened to H.E.R. if I hadn't begun this new tradition. Turns out, it's my favorite album of the year. Reminds me of a mix between SZA and The Weeknd (think Trilogy era); while also incorporating a Flume like sound. Many references there, so feel free to listen to all of them. Trust me, you won't regret it. H.E.R. is dark and sensual. She guides you through a wonderful journey, as you hang on to every word of her beautiful voice. It flows well, and uses an array of styles to make a complete piece. It is not an album I would listen to for working out or celebrating, but I found myself refreshed by a new sound. Grammy committee have been known to surprise. I'm making a bold prediction and going with it for album of the year.
Rating - 4/5
Best Songs - Losing, Focus, Best Part
MY PICK FOR WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beerbongs and Bentleys - Post Malone: For some reason (maybe b/c the radio overplays him) I always want to hate Post-Malone, but I can't. I love his voice, and think he does a great job of transitioning between hip hop and R&B. Like a poor man's Drake. The album is similar to his last, and he definitely has captured a specific sound. But for me, he just falls into the category of what I call "college rap". Songs that college students love to party to and play at social gatherings. Reminds me of an early Mac Miller (RIP). There is nothing wrong with that. I love early Mac Miller. I also love late Mac Miller. And can only hope Post continues to grow his music and style.
Rating - 3/5
Best Songs - Paranoid, Stay, Ball For Me, Taking Shots
Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By: One of my closest friends and his girlfriend are OBSESSED with this album. I happen to greatly respect his opinion, (esp) with regards to music, but have to respectfully disagree here. Don't get me wrong, it is a great album, loaded with top tier features, and many different styles. Lyrically it's solid, and is good for all occasions. But it's still a soundtrack to me. Each song is a little repetitive, and never really picks up steam. I don't feel it has enough to win title for album of the year.
Rating - 4/5
Best Songs - X, Seasons, Bloody Waters, Pray For Me, All The Stars
Dirty Computer - Janelle Monáe - Janelle Monáe is a queen. I love her style, and feel she is the complete package: actor, singer, dancer, fashionista. I have always been a fan of her music, but never really dove into an entire piece. Her new album starts off very strong, but finishes weak. It has an underlying 80s sound, giving feels of Prince and Madonna. Lyrically, Dirty Computer is beautiful: strong, empowering messages for women and African Americans. However, the sound is unable to capture me throughout. Deserved place in the nominations, but not a winner.
Rating - 3.5/5
Best Songs - Dirty Computer, Crazy Classic Life, Screwed, Pynk
By The Way, I Forgive You - Brandi Carlile - Another artist I had never heard of until starting this project is Brandi Carlile. I would place her in the folk/country genre. She has a worn, classic American sound. Telling a stories of family, love, and struggle, it is a pleasant listen. It took me a few times through, but I kind of like the album. Could be nice for those summer nights at the lake. And speaking of surprises, this album has Grammy written all over it. Unfamiliar artist, with a completely different sound and good writing. It's like the year Beck won over Beyonce. Not my pick, but wouldn't shock me.
Rating - 3/5
Best Songs - The Joke, Hold Out Your Hand, Fulton County Jane Doe
Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves - I have been quoted multiple times (including my own blog) on my distaste for country music. But if there's one artist of the genre I do like, it is Kacey Musgraves. Maybe it's that she reminds me of a young Taylor Swift. Maybe it's her whimsical sound. Or maybe it's her lyrical swagger. I think she has star power, and I see her continuing to grow in the music industry. The album has a good flow, and does a nice job of changing speeds at the right time. It has a weak start, but a strong finish. Similar to hip hop, I don't think country has ever won the Grammy for album of the year (feel free to fact check me). Unfortunately for Kacey, I don't think she will be the one to break the streak. But great recognition for her, and much deserved nominee.
Rating - 3.5/5
Best Songs - Butterflies, Velvet Elvis, Wonder Woman, Golden Hour
My Grammy Snubs: All of these albums are in my discussion for album of the year. I was extremely disappointed that NONE of them made the cut. Then again, music is just my hobby, not my profession.
Mac Miller - Swimming
Haim - Something to Tell You
Anderson Pak - Oxnard
Chromeo - Head Over Heels
Ariana Grande - Sweetener
Invasion of Privacy - Cardi B: To my knowledge, a hip hop album has NEVER won the album of the year. Even last year with the great nominations of Childish Gambino, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar, no dice. So to sit here and say Cardi B would be the first ever... I don't think so. Her album is ok. She has some great features, and possibly one of the best tracks of the year in Bodak Yellow, but overall it falls short. Cardi is a young rapper, with a ton of potential. Someday I think she will meet those expectations. Right now, she is still a subpar MC, trying to perfect her technique.
Rating - 2/5
Favorite Songs - Best Life, Be Careful, I Like It
Scorpion - Drake: Please refer to my previous post on this album for a full analysis. Bottom line, the album is too long. Drake brings the usual heat, and if anyone is gonna break the Grammy hip hop streak, it would be the king of Toronto. But I don't see it happening.
Rating - 3.5/5
Favorite Songs - Survival, 8 out of 10, God's Plan, Nice for What, Emotionless
H.E.R. - H.E.R. : I would have never listened to H.E.R. if I hadn't begun this new tradition. Turns out, it's my favorite album of the year. Reminds me of a mix between SZA and The Weeknd (think Trilogy era); while also incorporating a Flume like sound. Many references there, so feel free to listen to all of them. Trust me, you won't regret it. H.E.R. is dark and sensual. She guides you through a wonderful journey, as you hang on to every word of her beautiful voice. It flows well, and uses an array of styles to make a complete piece. It is not an album I would listen to for working out or celebrating, but I found myself refreshed by a new sound. Grammy committee have been known to surprise. I'm making a bold prediction and going with it for album of the year.
Rating - 4/5
Best Songs - Losing, Focus, Best Part
MY PICK FOR WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beerbongs and Bentleys - Post Malone: For some reason (maybe b/c the radio overplays him) I always want to hate Post-Malone, but I can't. I love his voice, and think he does a great job of transitioning between hip hop and R&B. Like a poor man's Drake. The album is similar to his last, and he definitely has captured a specific sound. But for me, he just falls into the category of what I call "college rap". Songs that college students love to party to and play at social gatherings. Reminds me of an early Mac Miller (RIP). There is nothing wrong with that. I love early Mac Miller. I also love late Mac Miller. And can only hope Post continues to grow his music and style.
Rating - 3/5
Best Songs - Paranoid, Stay, Ball For Me, Taking Shots
Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By: One of my closest friends and his girlfriend are OBSESSED with this album. I happen to greatly respect his opinion, (esp) with regards to music, but have to respectfully disagree here. Don't get me wrong, it is a great album, loaded with top tier features, and many different styles. Lyrically it's solid, and is good for all occasions. But it's still a soundtrack to me. Each song is a little repetitive, and never really picks up steam. I don't feel it has enough to win title for album of the year.
Rating - 4/5
Best Songs - X, Seasons, Bloody Waters, Pray For Me, All The Stars
Dirty Computer - Janelle Monáe - Janelle Monáe is a queen. I love her style, and feel she is the complete package: actor, singer, dancer, fashionista. I have always been a fan of her music, but never really dove into an entire piece. Her new album starts off very strong, but finishes weak. It has an underlying 80s sound, giving feels of Prince and Madonna. Lyrically, Dirty Computer is beautiful: strong, empowering messages for women and African Americans. However, the sound is unable to capture me throughout. Deserved place in the nominations, but not a winner.
Rating - 3.5/5
Best Songs - Dirty Computer, Crazy Classic Life, Screwed, Pynk
By The Way, I Forgive You - Brandi Carlile - Another artist I had never heard of until starting this project is Brandi Carlile. I would place her in the folk/country genre. She has a worn, classic American sound. Telling a stories of family, love, and struggle, it is a pleasant listen. It took me a few times through, but I kind of like the album. Could be nice for those summer nights at the lake. And speaking of surprises, this album has Grammy written all over it. Unfamiliar artist, with a completely different sound and good writing. It's like the year Beck won over Beyonce. Not my pick, but wouldn't shock me.
Rating - 3/5
Best Songs - The Joke, Hold Out Your Hand, Fulton County Jane Doe
Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves - I have been quoted multiple times (including my own blog) on my distaste for country music. But if there's one artist of the genre I do like, it is Kacey Musgraves. Maybe it's that she reminds me of a young Taylor Swift. Maybe it's her whimsical sound. Or maybe it's her lyrical swagger. I think she has star power, and I see her continuing to grow in the music industry. The album has a good flow, and does a nice job of changing speeds at the right time. It has a weak start, but a strong finish. Similar to hip hop, I don't think country has ever won the Grammy for album of the year (feel free to fact check me). Unfortunately for Kacey, I don't think she will be the one to break the streak. But great recognition for her, and much deserved nominee.
Rating - 3.5/5
Best Songs - Butterflies, Velvet Elvis, Wonder Woman, Golden Hour
My Grammy Snubs: All of these albums are in my discussion for album of the year. I was extremely disappointed that NONE of them made the cut. Then again, music is just my hobby, not my profession.
Mac Miller - Swimming
Haim - Something to Tell You
Anderson Pak - Oxnard
Chromeo - Head Over Heels
Ariana Grande - Sweetener
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