Grammy nominations recognize 2021’s pop superstars

Photo Courtesy of Essence

The Recording Academy revealed its nominations for the 64th Grammy awards on Tuesday, Nov. 23, highlighting the year’s most popular artists. The ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, will commemorate music from the past year.

Unlike past years, the “Big Four” categories (which includes Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist) will expand from eight to 10 nominees, with the Recording Academy stating there were “many artists” who showed excellence in music this year  and they felt the need to expand the categories.

R&B artist Jon Batiste earned the most nominations this year, scoring nods in 11 different categories including Best New Age Album, Record of the Year and Best Music Video. Second place was tied between pop superstars Justin Bieber, H.E.R and Doja Cat, with each receiving eight nominations. Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo trailed not too far behind with seven nominations each.

Predictions have already begun rolling out for the 2022 ceremony, with many focusing on the highly coveted Record of the Year and Song of the Year awards, as well as the award for Album of the Year. Record of the Year is a particularly competitive environment for the 2022 awards, with Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles such as “drivers license,” “Leave the Door Open,” “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” and “Peaches” going head-to-head. Shockingly, legendary Swedish pop group ABBA received their first-ever Grammy nomination in this year’s Record of the Year category, for their single “I Still Have Faith in You” off their first album in four decades, “Voyage.”

Song of the Year looks to be similar to this year’s Record of the Year category, with hits like Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” and Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” looking to snag the title. Album of the Year’s 10 nominees also prove to be particularly competitive, with monster projects like Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour,” Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO” and Taylor Swift’s “evermore” all in the running to earn the Grammys’ most coveted title.

Other categories outside of the “Big Four” include Best Pop Vocal Album, whose nominations include Ariana Grande’s “positions,” Best Pop Duo/Group Performance including BTS’s “Butter” and Best Pop Solo Performance including Justin Bieber’s “Anyone.” 

The 2022 Grammy Awards have certainly set the stakes high. With newly expanded major categories, it seems like the Recording Academy is ready to see major artists compete for these coveted titles, and many artists seem to already be on their game, campaigning for their work to be recognized and awarded at the ceremony. Whatever happens, the ceremony is sure to excite viewers.