2023 Grammys: Will the Academy Commend Authenticity?

English singer-songwriter Adele winning multiple Grammy Awards in 2012. Credit: janietulip on Flickr

Every year, there tends to be at least one thing at the Grammys that everyone agrees is objectively bad. Whether it be a 20-year-old acoustic cover of “Layla” by Eric Clapton winning Song of the Year over Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1993, Mumford and Sons winning album of the year for “Babel” over Frank Ocean’s “Channel Orange” in 2013 or Macklemore beating out Drake, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Album in 2014.

The Recording Academy has had its fair share of blunders. However, with the recent hiring of record producer and songwriter Harvey Mason Jr. as CEO last year, the Recording Academy looks to improve voting procedures and the overall culture at the Grammys moving forward. 

The 2023 Grammy Awards will be held on Feb. 5, 2023, and the nominations were recently released. Let’s take a look at the nominations, and who should take home each of the major categories.

Record of the Year

  • Don’t Shut Me Down - ABBA

  • Easy On Me - Adele

  • BREAK MY SOUL - Beyoncé

  • Good Morning Gorgeous - Mary J. Blige

  • You And Me On The Rock - Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius

  • Woman - Doja Cat

  • Bad Habit - Steve Lacy

  • The Heart Part 5 - Kendrick Lamar

  • About Damn Time - Lizzo

  • As It Was - Harry Styles

What happened to the time when this category only had five nominees? Why do we need such an abundance of songs here, when there are only a few noteworthy selections? “Bad Habit,” “BREAK MY SOUL” and “The Heart Part 5” are probably the best nominees here, and I'd be happy to see any one of these take this award. Although the Recording Academy’s disposition toward giving Beyoncé any award she's nominated for is undeniable, Harry Styles or Adele will probably take this. Adele is another Grammy darling and Harry Styles’s popularity at the moment is immense.

Album of the Year

  • Voyage - ABBA

  • 30 - Adele

  • Un Verano Sin Ti - Bad Bunny

  • RENAISSANCE - Beyoncé

  • Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe) - Mary J. Blige

  • In These Silent Days - Brandi Carlile

  • Music Of The Spheres - Coldplay

  • Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar

  • Special - Lizzo

  • Harry’s House - Harry Styles

Album of the Year is Beyoncé’s award to lose. RENAISSANCE is easily the best album here by a wide margin. The singer’s first proper release since “Lemonade” in 2016 may be the best dance record of 2022, giving us pristine production and some ridiculously catchy hooks that are meant to be played in the club. This record is a tribute to club culture after the pandemic, and it is magnificent. 

If this doesn’t go to Beyoncé, I wouldn't mind if Kendrick Lamar took it. The enigmatic rapper put out his “I’m back” record after five years, following 2017’s “DAMN.,” and the combination of his idiosyncratic voice flowing over his always stellar instrumentation is top-notch. K. Dot reminded us who’s the best in the game, and we can’t get enough of it.

Pictured are the Gramophone statuettes given to the winner of a certain category. Credit: Photo by Music Voyager on Flickr

Song of the Year

  • “Abcdefu” - GAYLE

  • “About Damn Time” - Lizzo

  • “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) - Taylor Swift

  • “As It Was” - Harry Styles

  • “Bad Habit” - Steve Lacy

  • “BREAK MY SOUL” - Beyoncé

  • “Easy On Me” - Adele

  • “GOD DID” - DJ Khaled

  • “The Heart Part 5” - Kendrick Lamar

  • “Just Like That” - Bonnie Raitt

An objectively bad Grammy mistake is seen here: What is “abcdefu” doing on this list? It's understandable that, with the rise of TikTok and its connection to the music industry, certain independent artists will blow up, à la Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Conan Gray and D4vd. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This song does not deserve this placement, and a multitude of other quality songs from this year should have been here instead.

There are probably three nominees that should win this award. Those include Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Adele. Even though Beyoncé will probably walk away from the Grammys carrying five or more awards, Adele or Kendrick should win this.

Best New Artist

  • Anitta

  • Omar Apollo

  • DOMi & JD Beck

  • Muni Long

  • Samara Joy

  • Latto

  • Måneskin

  • Tobe Nwigwe

  • Molly Tuttle

  • Wet Leg

Knowing the recording academy, they usually always give the most popular artist the Best New Artist award, regardless of the music. There are some exceptions, like Milli Vanilli and Alessia Cara, but habitually, the Grammys operate in this manner. So, basing this category on that knowledge, this award should pretty easily go to Omar Apollo, who has been on the come up recently with songs like “Evergreen” and “Invincible.” However, this award should go to British Indie outfit Wet Leg, who have been affirming themselves with quality music, while simultaneously being lowkey and subtle with their rise.

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical

  • Jack Antonoff

  • Dan Auerbach

  • Boi-1da

  • Dahi

  • Dernst "D'mile" Emile II

Recording Academy, if you get one category correct, please let it be this one. DJ Dahi needs to win this. His production is found all over Kendrick’s and Steve Lacy’s new records, in addition to Vince Staples' incredibly proficient new record, “Ramona Park Broke My Heart,” which came out earlier this year. Yes, we know you love Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift, but it’s time for someone else to have the spotlight for once at the Grammys. Please do us this favor.

The Grammy’s oversight of the musical landscape for the past couple of years or so has been poor, but maybe with the new year will come better judgment regarding the winners of each category. Or, knowing the Recording Academy, maybe not – there is always next year. All we can do is watch and find out.

Kyle EsoianMusic, Grammys, Entertainment1 Comment