It’s that time of year when the nominees for the upcoming Grammy awards are announced, and I hate to be critical, but really … can someone please enlighten me on the CURRENT qualifications for getting nominated?! Having a “hit” or two on the radio? I mean really, T-Pain? Soulja Boy? Akon? I guess when you’re given lemons, you make lemonade. The state of music is really in a pitfall if the people I mentioned above qualify for a Grammy. To me, it just makes being nominated not feel so “special” anymore. But I’m glad my boy Kanye got his 8 nods though! Check out who else has the opportunity to take one home after the cut.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
“The Pretender” – Foo Fighters
“Umbrella” – Rihanna f/ Jay-Z
“What Goes Around / Comes Around” Justin Timberlake
“Rehab” – Amy Winehouse
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” – Foo Fighters
“These Days” – Vince Gill
“River: The Joni Letters” – Herbie Hancock
“Graduation” – Kanye West
“Back to Black” – Amy Winehouse
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
“Hey There Delilah” – Tom Higgenson
“Like A Star” – Corrine Bailey Rae
“Rehab” – Amy Winehouse
“Umbrella” – Rihanna f/ Jay-Z
BEST NEW ARTIST
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse
BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Candyman” – Christina Aguilera
“1234” – Fesit
“Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie
“Say It Right” – Nelly Furtado
“Rehab” – Amy Winehouse
BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Everything” – Michael Buble
“Belief” – John Mayer
“Dance Tonight” – Paul McCartney
“Amazing” – Seal
“What Goes Around / Comes Around” – Justin Timberlake
BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Just Fine” – Mary J. Blige
“When I See You” – Fantasia
“No One” – Alicia Keys
“If I Have My Way” – Chrisette Michele
“Hate On Me” – Jill Scott
BEST MALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Woman” – Raheem DeVaughn
“B.U.D.D.Y.” – Musiq Soulchild
“Because of You” – Ne-Yo
“Future Baby Mama” – Prince
“Please Don’t Go” – Tank
BEST RAP SOLO PERFORMANCE
“The People” – Common
“I Get Money” – 50 Cent
“Show Me What You Got” – Jay-Z
“Big Things Poppin'” – T.I.
“Stronger” – Kanye West
BEST RAP SONG
“Ayo Technology” – 50 Cent & Justin Timberlake
“Big Things Poppin'” – T.I.
“Can’t Tell Me Nothing” – Kanye West
“Crank That” – Soulja Boy
“Good Life” – Kanye West
Of course this isn’t the complete list. I didn’t realize how many damn categories there were when I originally started typing this! Lol. So if you want to check out the complete list, make sure you visit GRAMMY.COM.