CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device.
Maybe it takes a superhero to give Kendrick Lamar the award he should have won already.
But it’s no slam-dunk. Rising hip-hop star Cardi B, acclaimed folk-rocker Brandi Carlile and country music favorite Kacey Musgraves — not to mention Drake, Janelle Monae and Post Malone — are all among the acts competing for the biggest prize, album of the year, at the 61st annual Grammy Awards.
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 — record of the year, song of the year (awarded to songwriters) 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 big prize.
Nominees
“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, Music From and Inspired By,” Various Artists
The Breakdown
It’s a nicely diverse list, as notable for what’s missing (Taylor Swift’s “Reputation,” Jay-Z and Beyonce’s “Everything Is Love,” Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener,” etc.) as what actually made the cut.
Yes, voters shook thing up a bit this time around, ignoring many longtime favorites in favor of honoring some fresh faces like Cardi B, Post Malone and Vallejo’s own H.E.R.
But none of those relative newcomers has a better shot at the prize than Kacey Musgraves, who should definitely win the Americana vote (over Carlile) with her vastly acclaimed fourth studio album. And Musgraves might still not have enough to triumph over Monae, who reminded everyone of her big-time talent with this funky bunch of songs.
Still, we think the contest will come down to two hip-hop titans — Drake and Kendrick Lamar (who did the “Black Panther” album).
Drake seems like the safest bet, given the way he has dominated the charts this decade. Yet, the Grammys don’t seem to be playing it safe this year.
Lamar, however, should own multiple album of the year trophies at this point. And last year’s highly criticized decision to award this trophy to Bruno Mars over Lamar is still very fresh in people’s minds — especially since Lamar’s “DAMN.” went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.
Talk about a nightmare come true for Grammy voters.
But how much longer can they ignore his greatness? It seems only fitting that Lamar’s name be attached to the first hip-hop album to win Grammy’s biggest prize since OutKast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” in 2004.
Prediction:
“Black Panther” will win the 2019 Grammy Award for album of the year.