Record of the Year

“Redbone”–Childish Gambino

“Despacito”–Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber

“The Story Of O.J.”–JAY-Z

“HUMBLE.”–Kendrick Lamar

“24K Magic”–Bruno Mars

“Despacito” was one of the biggest songs of the year, spending 16 weeks at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It was an infectious hit that no one could escape for the whole of the summer. The Recording Academy will definitely recognize that. Some may think that either “HUMBLE.” or “The Story of O.J.” will win, but having both Kendrick Lamar and JAY-Z in the same category will split the hip-hop vote, allowing for the pop vote to take majority.

Album Of The Year

“Awaken, My Love!–Childish Gambino

“4:44”–JAY-Z

“DAMN.”–Kendrick Lamar

“Melodrama”–Lorde

“24K Magic”–Bruno Mars

Like stated above, “DAMN.” and “4:44” will split the hip-hop vote, leaving Childish Gambino, Lorde and Bruno Mars left. “Melodrama” was, in my opinion, the best album to be released in 2017. Lorde poignantly and accurately portrayed life in your late teens and early twenties in a sonically cohesive manner. Furthermore, Lorde has been treated well by the Recording Academy in the past, taking home the trophies for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance in 2014 for “Royals.”

Song of the Year

“Despacito”–Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber

“4:44”–JAY-Z

“1-800-273-8255”–Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid

“That’s What I Like”–Bruno Mars

“Issues”–Julia Michaels

This category is all about rewarding songwriters for their work, and “1-800-273-8255” has the strongest message out of all the nominees. The focus of this song is spreading suicide awareness and telling listens that they are not alone. No other song nominated has such a relevant, powerful message.

Best New Artist

Alessia Cara

Khalid

Lil Uzi Vert

Julia Michaels

SZA

This year, Khalid brought something different to the music industry. His album “American Teen” gave a voice to a generation that is typically overlooked. Khalid had numerous Billboard Hot 100 hits this year: “1-800-273-8255” peaked at number three, “Location” spent 43 weeks on the chart and most recently “Young Dumb & Broke” peaked at 18. He has also collaborated with everyone from Lorde to Logic, really showing his versatility.

Best Pop Solo Performance

“Love So Soft”–Kelly Clarkson

“Praying”–Kesha

“Million Reasons”–Lady Gaga

“What About Us”–P!nk

“Shape Of You”–Ed Sheeran

It was a bit of a shock when Sheeran was shut out of the big three categories–Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year–due to his success. “Shape of You” is the most streamed song of all time and recently, according to United World Chart, became the second biggest song of the last two decades, surpassing “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. No other song in this category reached that caliber of success, so Sheeran will be rewarded.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

“Something Just Like This”–The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

“Despacito”–Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber

“Thunder”–Imagine Dragons

“Feel It Still”–Portugal. The Man

“Stay”–Zedd & Alessia Cara

Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Bieber will win this award because of how infectious “Despacito” was. One could not go anywhere without hearing this song. No other song had as big of an impact both on music and pop culture as a whole than “Despacito.”

Best Pop Vocal Album

“Kaleidoscope EP”–Coldplay

“Lust For Life”–Lana Del Rey

“Evolve”–Imagine Dragons

“Rainbow”–Kesha

“Joanne”–Lady Gaga

“÷ (Divide)”–Ed Sheeran

Even though “÷” was the biggest album of 2017, it was not nominated for Album of the Year (in my opinion, because it was not very sonically cohesive). However, the Recording Academy knows how big of a year it has been for Sheeran, and he will definitely be going home with this trophy.