On The Download: Who Will / Should Win, At The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards air this Sunday, January 31 at 8 PM ET on CBS. But who “Will Win” and “Should Win” in the top categories?

On The Download shares our picks!

RECORD OF THE YEAR

WILL WIN: “Poker Face,” Lady Gaga

SHOULD WIN: “Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon

This is a very strong category with five huge hits. It will be a tight race as each song was a commercial smash and is deserving of the honor. While The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” certainly has a shot, in the end, we think Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” will edge all the others out with its impeccable production, contagious hook and career-defining performance. Mind you, this would be an entirely different race had Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” been nominated rather than the well-written but less flashy “Halo.” While we think “Poker Face” will win, the On The Download staff is partial to “Use Somebody” from Kings of Leon. This was the song that finally broke the group out of the pack and should win.


SONG OF THE YEAR

WILL WIN: “Pretty Wings,” Maxwell

SHOULD WIN: “Pretty Wings,” Maxwell

This category is the one in which the award goes to the song writer, and it was unanimous amongst the On The Download staff that “Pretty Wings” is by far the song with the most depth in this category. The songwriters who would win are Hod David & Musze. We agree that this category would have gone to Beyonce if “Halo” had been nominated for ‘Song,’ instead of “Single Ladies” (which should have been nominated for “Record of the Year,” instead of “Halo”), but the Academy put both songs in the wrong category. “Use Somebody” (Kings of Leon) and “You Belong To Me” (Taylor Swift) could be dark horses. “Poker Face” (Lady Gaga) doesn’t feel profound enough to win the songwriting award.


BEST NEW ARTIST

WILL WIN: The Zac Brown Band

SHOULD WIN: Tie: Keri Hilson & The Zac Brown Band

The Zac Brown Band, a sextet from Atlanta, Georgia, may have a host of self-released studio albums under their belt, but over the last year, this hearty outfit has gone from country stars on the rise, to crossover studs. The group, fronted by Zac Brown, picked up Top New Artist at the Academy of Country Music Awards, received four nominations at the Country Music Association Awards late last year and their major label debut, “The Foundation,” has gone platinum, charting four singles. If for some reason they don’t win, and they’re nipped by Keri Hilson, it shouldn’t hurt these beardy boys who have a very bright career on the horizon. Already Best New Artist winner at the BET and Soul Train Awards last year and an American Music Award nominee as Best New Artist, Hilson is also on a roll. Her debut album “In A Perfect World” has produced the massive hit “Knock You Down” (featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West) and is also nominated as best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

WILL WIN: Taylor Swift, “Fearless”

SHOULD WIN: Beyonce, “I Am…Sasha Fierce”

This award goes to the artist and the album producers. Taylor Swift has had a huge year breaking record after record and will win in this category. Her album, “Fearless,” had major crossover appeal and her songwriting could be considered top tier for someone her age. Though she may be young and a bit green, her lack of experience is no match for the impact this juggernaut album has made. Beyonce, however, is who the On The Download staff believes should win for “I Am… Sasha Fierce.” The album produced multiple hits and struck a chord with music fans everywhere. The Dave Matthews Band could be a dark horse with “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.”

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