The 57th Annual Grammy Awards hosted by LL Cool J will air live from the Los Angeles Staples Center this Sunday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. We've examined the biggest categories and have put in our two cents on who we think should win and who we think will win each award. Vote for your pick in the poll at the bottom of the page.
Category: Best Urban Contemporary Album
Nominees:
Beyoncé by Beyoncé
X by Chris Brown
Sail Out by Jhené Aiko
Mali Is... by Mali Music
G I R L by Pharrell Williams
What Album Should Win: G I R L by Pharrell Williams
Although we don't predict G I R L winning Album of the Year, the effort could fare well in the Urban Contemporary department, which in its third year as a category celebrates albums that include "the more contemporary elements of R&B and may incorporate production elements found in urban pop, urban Euro-pop, urban rock, and urban alternative." Pharrell is the face of contemporary production, and his latest effort splashes pop, funk, and dance onto its R&B canvas. The album also features heavyweight contributors Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Daft Punk and Miley Cyrus, adding to its mainstream appeal.
Although Chris Brown's X was also eclectic in its production, it's likely that it will be passed over because the conservative voting committee rarely supports controversial artists. Jhené Aiko's breakout also fails to meet the production standards of Pharrell's album, and thought her neo-soul melodies and lyrical freestyles are enchanting, Aiko is still finding her voice as a leading lady rather than a contributing vocalist. Finally, Mali Music has a more gospel-leaning effort and also doesn't have the star power behind him that the other nominees do.
What Album Will Win: Beyoncé
As we mentioned in yesterday's Album of the Year prediction, Beyoncé's self-titled effort was a game changer. Out of all five albums nominated here, hers was without a doubt the most influential. It was critically and commercially successful, her most experimental and ambitious work to date, and of course the Grammys love nominating and awarding her. It's unlikely that anyone but Pharrell could touch her in this category, especially if she doesn't win Album of the Year. It's hard to believe that this revolutionary effort would leave the ceremony without an award.
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