Our Super Bowl has arrived. The 67th Annual Grammy Awards are nearly here, promising a memorable showing. Artists like Beyoncé, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx and Kendrick Lamar will compete in various categories.
The Daily Illini Arts & Entertainment staff has predicted who will triumph in 10 of the biggest categories at this year’s Grammy Awards. Official winners will be announced during the award show on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Record of the Year — Maaike
Prediction: “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” — Billie Eilish
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With nearly 2 billion streams on Spotify alone, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” undoubtedly dominated this year. Released at the perfect time to become a summer anthem, an unusually peppy sound for Billie Eilish was an instant earworm.
The song is some of the best production work yet from Eilish and brother FINNEAS. The bouncy backing track and the loving writing fit beautifully for Eilish’s soft voice, creating a record that’s easy to love. Eilish strengthened her unique sound with “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” was an amazing leap in a direction that 2025 needed.
Album of the Year — Annisyn
Prediction: “BRAT” — Charli xcx
Charli xcx’s sixth studio album, “BRAT,” took the pop culture universe by storm last summer with TikTok dances, memes, fashion trends and political activism. Both the aesthetic and the album are extraordinarily captivating, and the bright lime green of the album cover matches the rebellious, carefree theme of the music.
Full of high-energy club hits and glittering dance numbers, “BRAT” also showcased exceptional lyricism, vulnerable narratives and genuinely unforgettable songwriting. “BRAT” is one of the most memorable albums in recent years and is sure to win.
Song of the Year — Felicity
Prediction: “Die With A Smile” — Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars)
The unexpected duo of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars creates a unique and engaging listening experience in just over four minutes. Every aspect of this single contributes to its excellence, with outstanding production, lyrics and vocal quality.
Unlike many other nominations, this song is produced without synthesizers, relying on traditional background instrumentals instead, creating a more pleasant listen. The solid guitar and bass lines layered with drums work together to create a driving foundation that encapsulates a captivating ebb and flow of musicality.
On top of the production, Gaga and Mars’ voices create an extraordinary union that depicts a comforting love story. This song’s style perfectly matches Mars’ past work while highlighting Gaga’s ability to range from club music to mellow pop. With this combination of successes, “Die With A Smile” is the clear choice.
Best New Artist — Maaike
Prediction: Chappell Roan
Kayleigh Rose Amstutz has been creating original music since 2017, with songs like “Casual” and “Femininomenon” being released as singles back in 2022. Her breakout album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” though released in 2023, didn’t hit the charts until 2024. But once Chappell Roan started rising to the top, she never stopped.
Roan has become an icon among the queer music community with her campy style and aesthetic. Musically, her work brings back synth-pop sounds from the ’80s and early 2000s, breaking ground by creating something unique and fresh for 2024.
After seeing the record-breaking attendance at her Lollapalooza set, there’s no question that Roan has become one of the biggest artists of this decade. With only one album released, Roan could have plenty more work like this in store, and only time will tell how far she’ll go.
Best Pop Vocal Album — Mariana
Prediction: “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” — Chappell Roan
Even next to industry giants like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, Roan’s debut album is a massive standout. “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” catapulted Roan’s career, earning her a nod for Best New Artist. With upbeat pop singles like “HOT TO GO!” and “Red Wine Supernova,” Roan’s project is a strong contender for this category.
Across 13 tracks, Roan masterfully balances playfulness and sincerity, bringing back fun and campy energy to pop while honoring the timeless influence of ’80s icons. Her unique sound and unapologetic authenticity helped redefine what a modern pop album could be. With this vibrant debut, Roan entranced fans and left an indelible mark on the industry, solidifying her place as a rising star.
Best Rap Album — Annisyn
Prediction: “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” — Future, Metro Boomin
In March, two of rap’s biggest collaborators, Future and Metro Boomin, teamed up for their first official joint album and one of the biggest albums of the year, “WE DON’T TRUST YOU.” The star-studded album featured some of the genre’s most popular artists, such as Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Rick Ross and Lamar, debuting No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album contains heavy bass, shadowy synths and menacing lyricism, with Future slinking around Metro Boomin’s atmospheric production style. The hype surrounding the album’s release and a notable diss towards J. Cole and Drake on “Like That” only increased the album’s commercial success. “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” earned the equivalent of 251,000 album units in the United States, making it the strongest contender for Best Rap Album.
Best Rap Song — Maaike
Prediction: “Like That” — Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Kobe “BbyKobe” Hood, Leland Wayne and Nayvadius Wilburn, songwriters (Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar)
As shown by his seven Grammy Award nominations for 2025, Lamar has had quite a year. Represented twice in this category, production from Metro Boomin and primary vocals from Future put “Like That” into prime position for the title of Best Rap Song. The song is also nominated for Best Rap Performance, making it a potential double winner.
The catchy sample from Eazy-E’s 1988 track “Eazy-Duz-It” combined with Metro Boomin’s addictive beats perfect the song, making it suitable for everything from TikTok edits to hype music for basketball games. Released as the final single for Best Rap Album nominee “WE DON’T TRUST YOU,” the song did more than silence Lamar’s beef with Drake — it set a new tone for the rap music of 2024.
Best Country Album — Felicity
Prediction: “COWBOY CARTER” — Beyoncé
Beyoncé released “COWBOY CARTER” and subsequently broke out of her traditional pop genre. Through the album, Beyoncé explores the different subgenres of country music, toying with the constraints of a genre. Classic country elements shine in songs like “16 CARRIAGES,” “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and Beyoncé’s take on “JOLENE.” However, Beyoncé incorporates a more American sound in songs like “AMERICAN REQUIEM” and “YA YA.”
The varied sounds of the album combined with Beyoncé’s renowned vocals create a unique and addictive country album. The album was held at the top of Billboard’s Top 200 list for two consecutive weeks, which was Beyoncé’s first time since her 2013 album.
Additionally, Beyoncé attempts to break decades of systemic racism by reclaiming the image of black cowboys as well as the societal norm that country is a “white genre.” Its strong musicality and powerful messaging earn “COWBOY CARTER” the title of Best Country Album.
Best Country Song — Felicity
Prediction: “I Am Not Okay” — Casey Brown, Jason DeFord, Ashley Gorley and Taylor Phillips, songwriters (Jelly Roll)
Jelly Roll created another country success with his single “I Am Not Okay.” This song shines with Jelly Roll’s deep, raspy voice on top of a patchwork of violin, cello and guitar.
Although his lyrics are somber, Jelly Roll takes an optimistic view on his issues with lyrics like “I’m not okay/ But it’s all gonna be all right” and cheery background instrumentation. This upbeat tempo creates a relatable song that listeners can enjoy whenever.
Best Music Video — Mariana
Prediction: “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar
With his music video for the diss track “Not Like Us,” Lamar proves himself yet again as a true artist. Stemming from the feud between Lamar and Drake, the hit song’s visuals embolden the narrative built by the Pulitzer Prize-winning artist in his music.
Co-directed by Dave Free, the video clip does not shy away from making tongue-in-cheek references to the Lamar and Drake feud with clever stylistic choices. The video, set in Lamar’s native Compton, California, is a captivating work of art, doubling as a strong complement to the track’s fiery lyrics. Complete with stunning choreography and cinematography, the “Not Like Us” video is another victory for Lamar.
