Smith predicted to win big at Grammys

Mesfin Fekadu and Nekesa Mumbi Moody / The Associated Press

New York—Will Beyoncé reign as queen of the Grammys, or will the pop diva be dethroned by newcomer Sam Smith?

The Associated Press makes educated guesses at who will dominate music’s biggest night on Sunday (Monday in Manila), when Smith, Beyoncé and Pharrell are the top contenders with six nominations apiece.

Album of the Year: Morning Phase, Beck; Beyoncé, Beyoncé; X, Ed Sheeran; In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith; G I R L, Pharrell.

Fekadu: We all thought Beyoncé was a shoo-in for this award because of its epic release and because Adele didn’t drop an album. But then enters Adele’s baby brother: soulful British crooner Sam Smith, singing his sad love songs, releasing back-to-back radio hits and going platinum. Smith may share some of Beyoncé’s fans now, but come Sunday, the Beyhive will turn on him.

Moody: As a card-carrying member of the Beyhive, I can assure you all the ire will be at the Recording Academy. Look, Sam Smith had a gorgeous album that tugged at our heartstrings and he is the real deal. But Beyoncé not only had the best album of the year (said in Kanye West voice), she turned the industry on its head and truly innovated with her surprise release and the visual album. That should count for a Grammy win. But the Grammys will likely be enamored by the blue-eyed soul and British aspect of Sam Smith, marveling that he does soul music so authentically and overlooking a queen who has mastered it, and pop music in general, for almost two decades. And that will be a travesty.

Record of the Year: “Fancy,” Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX; “Chandelier,” Sia; “Stay With Me [Darkchild Version],” Sam Smith; “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift; “All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor.

Moody: “Fancy” and “All About That Bass” seem to be the obligatory “yes, we’re in touch with the Snapchat generation” nominations—nice nods to the kids, but they won’t win. It’s between Taylor, Sia and Sam; Sia’s song didn’t resonate with as many people, and Taylor’s may be too catchy for her own good. Look for Sam to grab this category, too: It’s a smoldering performance too hot not to reward.

Fekadu: Normally I would say a song like “Bass,” despite being one of the year’s biggest hits, wouldn’t win it, mainly because it’s from a new artist. But, at the same time, how could you imagine 2014 without the addictive track? And because Trainor is a skilled songwriter, followed the song up with another hit and No. 1 album, it’s only fitting she walk away with the win.

Song of the Year (songwriter’s award):

“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish; “Chandelier,” Sia and Jesse Shatkin; “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift, Max Martin and Shellback; “Stay With Me [Darkchild Version],” Sam Smith, James Napier and William Phillips; “Take Me to Church,” Hozier.

Fekadu: Swift and Trainor’s songs seem too playful to win this award. Hozier’s hit may be too new for voters, leaving Sia and Sam. Sia deserves this award, not only for “Chandelier,” but for writing songs for female pop stars, from Rihanna and Beyoncé to Kylie Minogue. Good thing she’s not into showing her face these days, because Smith will take the win here.

Moody: Hmmm… I’m torn. I agree Sam Smith has a strong shot at winning—could you look in those doleful eyes and say no? But since this is a songwriting award, methinks the Recording Academy will take this opportunity to reward Sia, not only for “Chandelier,” but also for her years of masterful songwriting for herself and others, including Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts.”

Best New Artist: Iggy Azalea; Bastille; Brandy Clark; Haim; Sam Smith.

Moody: I mean, is this even a competition? Sam Smith.

Fekadu: Who dat? Who dat? Not I to the G-G-Y. Sam Smith will take this one.

Pop Solo Performance: “All of Me [Live],” John Legend; “Chandelier,” Sia; “Stay With Me [Darkchild Version],” Sam Smith; “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift; “Happy [Live],” Pharrell.

Fekadu: Pharrell’s No. 1 hit was released too early for eligibility and voters didn’t care enough to nominate its live version for record of the year. There’s no way he’s losing this honor, though.

Moody: I think that the Recording Academy will feel like they gave Pharrell all the love he needed last year; this year, the Grammy darling is Sam Smith, and he’s got this on lock.

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards will be aired on the Star World network (SkyCable Channel 48) at 9 a.m. (Manila time) on Monday, February 9.