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Superstars Kendrick Lamar and Drake are among the acts battling it out in the song of the year category at the 61st annual Grammy Awards. Maybe one of them will achieve something hip-hop has never encountered — a win in this category, which honors songwriters.
The field has expanded from the traditional five nominations to eight in 2019 in this category, as well as in the other three general-field races – album of the year, record of the year and best new artist.
More nominees means more storylines, more chances of an upset and, organizers are hoping, more reasons for you to watch when the Grammys are broadcast live on CBS beginning at 5 p.m. Feb. 10 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Let’s break down the field and see who has the best chance of winning the Grammy for song of the year.
Nominees:
“All the Stars,” Kendrick Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters (performed by Kendrick Lamar & SZA); “Boo’d Up,” Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (performed by Ella Mai); “God’s Plan,” Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (performed by Drake); “In My Blood,” Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters (performed by Shawn Mendes); “The Joke,” Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (performed by Brandi Carlile); “The Middle,” Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters (performed by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey); “Shallow,” Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (performed by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper); “This Is America,” Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson & Jeffery Lamar Williams, songwriters (performed by Childish Gambino)
The Breakdown:
Like we said, this award has never been given to a hip-hop song. And as great as it would be for that woeful streak to finally end in 2019, don’t hold your breath. The only way we see that changing is if voters decide to devote the night to making up to Lamar for past slights.
Far more likely, however, is that it will be another overplayed, overrated pop song like “The Middle” or “Shallow.”
Yet, voters really like Carlile, who, with six nods, is the most nominated woman at this year’s show. So, don’t be surprised if “The Joke” wins here.
And that would be entirely fitting, since it is indeed the best song of the bunch.
Prediction:
“The Joke” wins Grammy Award for song of the year.
