This year’s 65th annual Grammy Awards was an action packed, remarkable night for all those who were nominated, those who won, and ordinary people like myself, watching in the living room. With amazing performances by Bad Bunny, Steve Lacy, Lizzo, and many more, these artists are known “All Too Well”. The 65th Grammys was one to go down in the history books since nothing will be the same “As It Was” following this year’s show. But I think it’s “About Damn Time” to get into my predictions on the 2023 grammy awards! 

Album of the Year

Prediction(s): “Renaissance” – Beyoncé;  “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” – Kendrick Lamar; 

Winner: “Harry’s House” – Harry Styles;   

Arguably the most important category in the Grammys, Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” took home Album of the Year, leaving Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé fans, along with others disappointed. Even though I am a huge fan of Style’s work, I was shocked to see the 29 year old Brit awarded this category over two legendary artists. Kendrick, who had not released an album in over four years and Beyoncé, who is notorious for not winning this category. Given that information, I was positive that either of those artists would win given their long and influential history in the music world. Regardless, a big congratulations to Harry Styles who I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future.       

Best Rap Album

Prediction(s): “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” – Kendrick Lamar 

Winner: “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” – Kendrick Lamar

It was no surprise to me that Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” was awarded Best Rap Album. Through his messages of childhood, grief, and trauma, the one thousand, eight hundred, and fifty five days was well worth the wait. Compared to the other albums featured in this category, Lamar’s shined bright with evidence to back it up, given the fact that “The Heart Part 5”, the last song featured on this album, won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. 

Best Dance / Electronic music album 

Prediction(s): “Renaissance” – Beyoncé

Winner: “Renaissance” – Beyoncé

Our queen Beyoncé has done it again. By winning Best Dance / Electronic Music Album, she has officially surpassed Sir George Solti in most Grammys won by a single person ever. Each track on this album contains a fun and exquisite beat that cannot be missed. As the only household name featured in this genre, Beyoncé was clear to win from the start with “Renaissance” being a powerful sound for dance and confidence. 

Best Progressive R&B album 

Prediction(s): “Gemini Rights” – Steve Lacy

Winner: “Gemini Rights” – Steve Lacy

Steve Lacy has been an artist known for his funky beats and creative wording in his music. His EP titled “Steve Lacy’s Demo” allowed his rise to popularity, which only increased after the release of “Gemini Rights”. Many believe that Lacy is a TikTok artist, meaning that his fame comes from his songs gaining popularity on TikTok. However, these beliefs have been shut down completely after winning the award for this category, along with being nominated for the highest Grammy awards like Song and Record of the Year, with a Best Pop Solo Performance nomination too. 

Best Pop Solo Performance

Prediction(s): “Woman” – Doja Cat; “Bad Habit” – Steve Lacy  

Winner: “Easy on Me” – Adele 

Although initially “Easy on Me” was not a song I had predicted to win Best Pop Solo Performance, I can now understand why it was awarded. I had believed that “Woman” by Doja Cat, which included a nice beat that complemented Doja Cat’s tone and her ability to rap well, was a worthy Pop Solo Performance. Along with “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy, which explained above, incorporated funky tunes and great word play. In the end, Adele’s voice was incomparable to her counterparts in this genre. Some of the notes she sang in her song were angelic and are further displayed when she sings live with no autotune (a pleasure we missed out on this awards show).  

Record of The Year 

Prediction(s): “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé

Winner: “About Damn Time” – Lizzo 

Given all the clout that has followed Beyoncé going into the Grammys, I was surprised to see that Lizzo had won with “About Damn Time”, over Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul”. Both songs were internet sensations as soon as their release, given the popular platform they both hold. But just like the Tiktokers had it, “About Damn Time”’s beat and ability to dance with the song had most likely overpowered Beyoncé for Record of The Year. And while I have no idea what the difference between Record and Song of The Year is (even given the Grammys explanation), I know that both of these hits were amazing and will be enjoyed long after this Grammy. 

Best Music Video 

Prediction(s): “All Too Well Short Film” – Taylor Swift 

Winner: “All Too Well Short Film” – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has won yet another Grammy this year, making it her 12th win in 46 nominations! Through Swift’s narrative, she wrote and directed “All Too Well: The Short Film” which featured popular actors Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink. Although all the music videos in this category had an abundance of depth and symbolism, similar to Swift’s “All Too Well”, the most powerful videos included in this category are Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5” and “As It Was” by Harry Styles. These two videos contrasted greatly with Lamar having immense passion in his tone and Styles having lots of color and visual effects. All in all, Swift’s video took home the prize given the emotional depth which included moments in Swift’s past relationship, portrayed incredibly well through O’Brien and Sinks acting. However, I think that Lamar’s video showed lots of power and strength even in a smaller constant setting. His emphasis on his words in his music were clearly shown and his metaphors in whose faces he wore added to the overall effect of the video.

Song of The Year

Prediction(s): “All Too Well” – Taylor Swift 

Winner: “Just Like That” – Bonnie Raitt

Now this one was a shock to us all… even the winner. As Bonnie Raitt won Song of The Year, she sat, open mouthed, in disbelief that she heard her name called. After a few seconds of composing herself, she slowly walked over to the stage and accepted her award. Many people would say that others got robbed, others deserved it more. But as I watched Raitt slowly walk onto that stage, hearing her acceptance speech, and the inspiration for her to write that song, I realized the award truly meant more than it did. Never in a million years would I have predicted that “Just Like That” would win in this category. I hadn’t even heard of the song till it was playing at the ceremony. “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift was my prediction for Song of The Year given the popular interest that many had in the backstory of the song, and the music video film that accompanied it. However, as I truly listened to the lyrics and storytelling of Raitt’s song which were expertly delivered, it honestly deserved to be seen on the same stage as Taylor’s and other songs being awarded that night.