Grammy Predictions from Wall of Sound

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 18, 2000 Source: Wall Of Sound Submitted By: brown99 Record of the Year Backstreet Boys: "I Want It That Way" Cher: "Believe" Ricky Martin: "Livin' La Vida Loca" Santana Featuring Rob Thomas: "Smooth" TLC: "No Scrubs" Who Should Win: TLC — The "Scrub"-less trio overcame financial ruin, record company woes, personal battles, and intra-band turmoil to release one of the year's best albums, led by this anthem of empowerment. Who Will Win: Santana — The "Smooth" operator made a slow and steady climb to the top, but once there, other artists were hard-pressed to knock this single out of the No. 1 slot. Santana is just the type of artist the Grammys love: dues paid, huge comeback (remember Eric Clapton? Bob Dylan?), and reaching out to a new generation. Album of the Year Backstreet Boys: Millennium Dixie Chicks: Fly Diana Krall: When I Look in Your Eyes Santana: Supernatural TLC: Fan Mail Who Should Win: TLC — The Backstreets charmed and Santana sizzled, but amid turmoil between bandmates that almost pulled TLC apart, Left Eye, Chilli, and T-Boz came up with the album that truly defined Girl Power. Daring, dirty, tender, and strong, Fan Mail is truly the Album of the Year. Who Will Win: Santana — Make no mistake, Carlos Santana deserves the respect and recognition he's earned for Supernatural. Largely ignored for the last 30 years, he's a master guitarist who has magically blended two generations of artists into last year's most fashionable album. The only question will be whether he'll have room for one more when this award is announced. Song of the Year Andreas Carlsson & Max Martin: "I Want It That Way" (Backstreet Boys) Desmond Child & Robi Rosa: "Livin' La Vida Loca" (Ricky Martin) Itaal Shur & Rob Thomas: "Smooth" (Santana Featuring Rob Thomas) Dallas Austin & Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins: "Unpretty" (TLC) Mutt Lange & Shania Twain: "You've Got a Way" (Shania Twain) Who Should Win: "Smooth" — Carlos Santana's trademark guitar wailing next to the gritty, desperate vocals of Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas electrified rock fans old and young, crossing gaps created by race, age, and even airplay formats. Who Will Win: "Smooth" — This is Santana's year, and even though he isn't nominated for this award (it goes to the songwriter), the sheen surrounding the veteran will rub off on those around him. Best New Artist Christina Aguilera Macy Gray Kid Rock Britney Spears Susan Tedeschi Who Should Win: Kid Rock — Granted, this "new" artist has been toiling for more than a decade, but until now, his work has been far beneath the Grammys' radar. Kid Rock gave music a much-needed infusion of energy with his unique hillbilly hick-hop, and proved to be the highlight of last year's MTV Video Music Awards. Who Will Win: Macy Gray — Britney and Christina should cancel each other out, Susan probably won't make a big impact on voters, and Kid Rock is just … too much. If Grammy voters continue in the same vein as in the past couple of years (Paula Cole, Lauryn Hill), this unknown duckling turned glorious songbird should be singled out as 1999's Best New Artist. Best Pop Performance By a Duo or a Group With Vocal Backstreet Boys: "I Want It That Way" Santana: "Maria Maria" Sixpence None the Richer: "Kiss Me" Smash Mouth: "All Star" TLC: "Unpretty" Who Should Win: Sixpence None the Richer — Everyone likes a good kiss, and Sixpence gave the world a nice one with this track. Singer Leigh Nash is appropriately waifish, with a voice sweet enough to melt the iciest heart. Who Will Win: It's unlikely that Santana and TLC are going to win for anything but "Smooth" or "No Scrubs," and voters probably won't mark down Smash Mouth's sports anthem. That leaves a coin flip between the Backstreet Boys and Sixpence None the Richer — put your money, however, on "Kiss Me." Best Alternative Music Performance Tori Amos: to venus and back Beck: Mutations Fatboy Slim: You've Come a Long Way, Baby Moby: Play Nine Inch Nails: The Fragile Who Should Win: Moby — This techno innovator released one of 1999's most imaginative CDs. With an album that's part electronica, part soul, part gospel, part indie, and more, the man nicknamed because of his ancestry (his given name is Richard Melville Hall, great-great-grandnephew to Moby Dick author Herman) truly redefined the genre. Who Will Win: Nine Inch Nails — To be sure, the return of Trent Reznor didn't burn up the charts after its No. 1 debut, but The Fragile was easily the most anticipated release of 1999. An ambitious, sprawling epic, the album earned Spin's Album of the Year honors and may prove to be the final jewel in Reznor's Grammy crown. Best Pop Album Backstreet Boys: Millennium Cher: Believe Ricky Martin: Ricky Martin Sarah McLachlan: Mirrorball Sting: Brand New Day Who Should Win: Backstreet Boys — The Boys ushered in the new millennium with an album of the same title. To date, it's sold more than 10 million copies in the United States, and its strong melodies and sugary love songs have become the guilty pleasures of cynics across the country. Who Will Win: Backstreet Boys — Face it, Sting and McLachlan didn't release pure pop records, and though Cher's record was something of a comeback, it was overshadowed by the Boys and Martin. Martin will win his share of awards, but the Backstreet Boys are back in town with the year's Best Pop Album. Best Rock Album Melissa Etheridge: Breakdown Limp Bizkit: Significant Other Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Echo Red Hot Chili Peppers: Californication Santana: Supernatural Who Should Win: Limp Bizkit — Love them or loathe them, Limp Bizkit managed to connect with today's rock audience in a way few could match. Doing it for the "Nookie" didn't hurt either. Who Will Win: Santana — Look for Carlos and company to walk to the podium on one of what is sure to be several trips in honor of his hugely successful comeback disc. That ol' supernatural black magic will be working its mojo on Grammy night. Best R&B Album Mary J. Blige: Mary Whitney Houston: My Love Is Your Love R. Kelly: R. Brian McKnight: Back at One TLC: Fanmail Who Should Win: Brian McKnight — He wears many hats — actor, singer, and soon-to-be record-label owner — but when he's focused on music, the results are outstanding. Not only did McKnight light up the pop and R&B charts, but thanks to a country version sung by Mark Wills, the title track from this CD reached a whole new audience. Who Will Win: Brian McKnight — Though surrounded by some of the most talented singers today, McKnight's effort has the slight edge, especially since it's likely that TLC will take the honors in various pop categories. Best Rap Album Busta Rhymes: E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event - The Final World Front) Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott: Da Real World Eminem: The Slim Shady LP Nas: I Am The Roots: Things Fall Apart Who Should Win: The Roots — With an organic sound layered with tight rhythms and soulful rhymes, The Roots come from the same school of hip-hop as Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. Meaningful and accessible, The Roots are vital to the expanding culture that is hip-hop. Who Will Win: Busta Rhymes — Though Busta doesn't have the depth of the Roots, he does have a fantastic wardrobe, a cool 'do, and an appealing magnetism — and his rhymes aren't bad, either. Toss in a couple of mind-bending videos, and the result is Grammy gold. Comment on this item. Next Item: Two Backstreet Boys Ready Wedding Bells Prev Item: Backstreet Wedding Bells!