Grammy 2019 seems to be taking a cue from the Internet 

61st Annual Grammy Awards acknowledges rap and the contributions of women artistes
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar

One thing the world is acknowledging as we near the close of the decade is the power of Internet buzz. The Grammy Awards also seem to take the cue, going by the nominations for its 61st edition. The Recording Academy president Neil Portnow’s comment on the trend #GrammysSoMale that women need to step up for recognition was not well received on social media. The fact that this came after the 2018 edition which received criticism for severe under-representation of women artistes only added to the fire.

As a response to all these, the nominations for 2019 award night—hosted by singer Alicia Keys (the first woman to do so in 14 years)—see quite a few female musicians. Even as the major categories expanded to include eight instead of five nominations, women representation has spiked as seen in the Best Album category which features five female nominees and the Best New Artist category which has six. Names like Brandi Carlile (six nominations), Cardi B (five including record and album of the Year), Lady Gaga (five like record and song of the year) and SZA (four such as the Song of the year) are hot on the list.

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga

Continuing its breakthrough into the top of the charts, hip-hop is the most popular choice across the various categories like Record and Album of the year. Kendrick Lamar, an absolute favourite in the Grammys, leads with eight (including three general categories), followed by Drake (seven nominations including best album for Scorpion). Childish Gambino aka actor Donald Glover who grabbed attention with the symbolism in This Is America and Post Malone, known for popular track Rockstar, are two other big names from the hip-hop circles. Here’s all you need to know about music’s big night.

Snubs and surprises
Though this year featured a major move to increase the number of nominees, perennial favourites were conspicuously absent from the top categories

Taylor Swift has been the definition of a Grammy favourite throughout her career. Yet, Reputation (pegged as Billboard’s biggest album of 2018) received only one nomination under Best Pop Album. 

Ariana Grande’s No 1. breakup anthem, Thank U, Next was not eligible for the awards, but the singer was ignored by the Big Four categories, as well. Though her fourth album, Sweetener, only secured a nod for the Best Pop Vocal Album, Grande’s hit single God is a Woman was recognised for the Best Pop Vocals.

Two A-listers and one snub saw The Carters (aka Beyonce and Jay-Z) and their Everything is Love relegated to the Best Urban Contemporary Album section. The couple managed three nominations, but the album’s lead single Apesh*t—a defining musical moment from 2018 that dissed the Grammy 
injustice—missed out an obvious nomination from the Best Rap/Sung category.

Who’s that girl?

Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile

The biggest nominations that had people flocking to their computers as per Google Trends were that of some lesser known artistes including H.E.R, whose debut album earned five-Grammy nominations. Insisting on staying away from the public eye, 21-year-old Gabriella Wilson now sits alongside heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B. The singer will compete for not only Best New Artist, Best R’n’B Performance, Song and Album, but also the big one: Album of the Year. 

With six nominations Brandi Carlile is the most nominated woman of the 61st Grammy Awards. Finding herself featured across multiple categories including Album of the year, Record of the year and Song of the year, the 37-year-old has been garnering a devoted following since her debut over a decade ago, but without attracting much attention up until now. 
 

Telecast on Vh1 India. 
On February 11 at 7.30 am.

A passage to India
It’s been a good year for India as three-musicians of Indian-origin find themselves nominated in three different categories. Snatam Kaur Khalsa made it to the New Age Album category, while Hindustani classical singer Falguni Shah—a first generation immigrant—is competing for the Best Children’s Album. Prashant Mistry, a London-based singer, is nominated in the Best Immersive Audio Album category.  

Bull’s eye

Here are the nominations for this year’s major categories with our picks highlighted.
 

Record Of The Year

I like it
Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin

The Joke
Brandi Carlile

This is America 
Childish Gambino

God’s Plan
Drake

Shallow
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

All the stars
Kendrick Lamar and SZA
 

Rockstar
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage

The middle
Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey

Album Of The Year

Invasion of privacy
Cardi B 

By the way, I forgive you
Brandi Carlile

Scorpion
Drake 

H.E.R.
H.E.R.

Beerbongs & Bentleys
Post Malone 

Dirty computer
Janelle Monáe

Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves

Black Panther: The album
(Various Artists)
 

Song Of The Year

All the stars
Kendrick Lamar and SZA 

Boo’d up
Ella Mai 

God’s plan
Drake

In my blood
Shawn Mendes
 

The Joke
Brandi Carlile

 The middle
Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey

Shallow
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

 

This Is America
Childish Gambino
 

Best New Artist
Chloe X Halle
Luke Combs
Greta Van Fleet
H.E.R.
 Dua Lipa
 Margo Price
 Bebe Rexha
 Jorja Smith

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