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And the nominees are. . . .

So it’s time for the Grammys again, and the list of nominees is pretty interesting. There are still plenty of no-brainers to be found when it comes to this year’s nominees. As to be expected, Lil Wayne leads in nominations with eight. With that kind of dick-riding, you’d swear he had handlebars where his balls should be. Brit-rockers Coldplay, meanwhile, continue to reap the benefits of being nowhere near as dysfunctional as Oasis, with seven nominations. But then we have surprises like collaborators Robert Plant and Alison Krause, as well as newcomer Jazmine Sullivan, each earning five nominations. And expecting mother M.I.A. might as well hand over that first-born child to the makers of Pineapple Express for including the song “Paper Planes” heavily in the film’s promotion, because I doubt it’d be up for Record of the Year otherwise. The song has become such a hit, it’s been sampled for at least half a dozen rap songs (or more appropriately, one rap song that’s been remixed half a dozen times), including one that’s up for Best Rap Collaboration. So what are the rest of the major categories lookin’ like?

Record of the Year
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Paper Planes - M.I.A
Please Read The Letter - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Thoughts: Can’t say I necessarily care who wins this one. It’s more for the behind-the-scenes folk than the actual artist, and it’s hard to really explain why I’d choose one over the rest.
Prediction: “Viva La Vida” and “Bleeding Love” are likely candidates, but “Please Read The Letter” Might pull off an upset.

Album Of The Year
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
Year Of The Gentleman - Ne-Yo
Raising Sand - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
In Rainbows - Radiohead

Thoughts: It’s not that I didn’t like Year of the Gentleman, but I’m sure there was someone more deserving of the nomination.
Prediction: I’ll tell ya who it WON’T be! It won’t be the aforementioned Year of the Gentleman or Viva La Vida. Beyond that, it’s a crapshoot. Yes, Lil’ Wayne is arguably the hottest act in pop music, but lest we forget the year Steely Dan beat Eminem in this category. Raising Sand or In Rainbows might just knock Tha Carter III on its ass. 

Song of the Year
American Boy - William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters
Chasing Pavements - Adele Adkins, songwriter
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz, songwriter
Love Song - Sara Bareilles, songwriter
Viva La Vida - Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters

Thoughts: Glad to see Estelle among the nominees, ‘cause I sure was loving “American Boy” from day one. It’s a great mix of musical styles, capped off with one of Kayne West’s more playful rap verses.
Prediction: Someone British is winning this award.

Best New Artist
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Thoughts: The only reason I’d want The Jonas Brothers to win, is so they can fall victim to the “Best New Artist Curse”, whereby winning the award dooms them to obscurity.
Prediction: Jonas Brothers (ugh!)

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Mercy - Duffy
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
So What - P!nk

Thoughts: I’d prefer to see a tag-team wrestling match with Adele, Duffy, and Pink, against the other three broads. If only to see Pink beat the ever-loving tar outta Katy Perry’s faux-lesbian ass.
Prediction: Probably Leona Lewis. God forbid they give it to the chubby one.

Best Rock Album
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Rock n Roll Jesus - Kid Rock
Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
Death Magnetic - Metallica
Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs

Thoughts: I need to listen to more rock music.
Predictions: Give it to Metallica so they can stop bitching.

Best Alternative Album
In Rainbows - Radiohead
Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
Modern Guilt - Beck
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie
The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley

Thoughts: I still don’t know how I feel about music that’s labeled “Alternative”. It certainly is a testament to how popular music has changed, and how we view music in general has changed. Clearly, imaginary standards have been set for the kinds of music that will be presented to a mass audience, while other artists are deliberate relegated to the fringe.
Prediction: It’s a toss-up between Radiohead and Gnarls Barkley

Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Female
Beyonce - Me Myself and I
Heaven Sent - Keyshia Cole
Spotlight - Jennifer Hudson
Superwoman - Alicia Keys
Need U Bad - Jazmine Sullivan

Thoughts: If they absolutely needed to nominate Beyonce, they couldn’t do it for a recent song? Was “If I Were A Boy” not eligible? “Me Myself and I” is off her first friggin’ album! I don’t care if it was on a live album from this year!
Prediction: I could see this one going to Jennifer Hudson, easily.

Best Contemporary R&B Album
Growing Pains - Mary J Blidge
Back of my Lac - J Holiday
First Love - Karina
Year Of The Gentleman - Ne-Yo
Fearless - Jazmine Sullivan

Thoughts: First of all, who the hell is Karina?!? Second of all, where the hell is Raheem Devaughn’s Love Behind The Melody?!? Yeah, he’s nominated for his song “Customer”, but that’s not even the best song on what is a far superior album than Ne-Yo or J. Holiday’s offerings!
Prediction: Take it away, Mary J.!!!

Best Rap Album
American Gangster - Jay Z
Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
Nas - Nas
Paper Trail - T.I.

Thoughts: Well, I know who I’d want to win. In my opinion, The Cool was nothing short of brilliant in terms of its concept, its remarkably diverse production, and most importantly, Lupe Fiasco’s lyrical skills. Forgive me if I like a rapper who doesn’t always sound like he’s under the influence of weed, codeine, and cough syrup. Speaking of which. . .
Prediction: It’ll be a (pleasant) surprise if Lil’ Wayne doesn’t win. Just don’t do that damn chicken dance you did when you accepted one of your awards at the BET show a while back!

Best Country Album
That Lonesome Song - Jamey Johnson
Sleepless Nights - Patty Loveless
Troubador - George Strait
Around The Bend - Randy Travis
Heaven, Heartache And the Power Of Love - Trisha Yearwood

Thoughts: I DON’T need to listen to more country.
Prediction: Uh, one of the dudes.