Annually, the Recording Academy convenes to reflect on the music of the previous year. With twelve chapters voting from California to Florida, the Grammy Awards is one of the most prestigious ceremonies in the music industry. Over 15,000 members vote on who to recognise as superior, and the results are revealed each February.
2025 was a year of incredible highs and devastating lows, musically speaking, and it featured a cast of characters who we frequently see in the spotlight. Dominating presences like Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga continue to tower over others, thanks to their wide audiences and influence. We welcome back industry veterans, including the likes of Hayley Williams and Justin Bieber. Relative newcomers, take Doechii and Chappell Roan, for example, shove their way to the front.
Just like with the Oscars, music fans love to predict who will be nominated for the biggest categories, and root for who they hope to win. As an avid listener, I like to remind myself that there is a difference between who I want to win, and who I assume will take the trophy home. However, I also like to think that some of my tastes are relatively aligned with those of the general public.
Today, I’m putting myself to the test. Who knows? Maybe I’ll guess them all right. We won’t know until February.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
This award goes to whichever artist who the Recording Academy believes has put together the strongest and most cohesive set of songs. This category is a relative wild card because there is no genre within which it is ‘typically’ awarded. Album of the Year alumnus vary from Daft Punk to Adele to U2. The nominees are equally versatile, and I hope for a victory for Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM.” Gaga has been nominated several times since 2010, and I firmly believe that 2025 will be the year where she closes in on the award.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Many fans often assume that Best New Artist involves artists who have only recently begun writing and producing music. Take Doechii, last year’s winner, for example. Prior to 2025, Doechii had been in the recording studio for nine years. Consider this award more as recognition for breaking into the mainstream music scene. Winners are frequently more critically acclaimed or commercially successful than their peers. I am of the opinion that KATSEYE have cemented themselves as a unique presence in the pop ensemble scene, but I find it more likely that Olivia Dean or Leon Thomas will take this one.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Song of the Year is a category which mostly sees veteran artists as victors. Many Best New Artist recipients often go on to compete at this stage, and many of them win. Most tracks that win this award are the most recognizable of the year, and a good gauge these days is the popularity of a given song on social media. In my perfect world, Billie Eilish will stand up for her track “WILDFLOWER,” but I find it more likely that “Anxiety” or “APT.” will be the recipients.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Record of the Year is awarded to the best single recorded track (meaning it is released independently of an album). Personally, I hope to see Bad Bunny on the stage for his single “DtMF,” But my expectations veer more in the direction of “luther” or “APT.” In the past ten years this award often goes to the record with the widest mainstream radio success, and is often reserved for pop and rap songs.
