The singer Beyoncé will have the best chance to succeed next year at the presentation of the most famous American music awards, the Grammys. With Cowboy Carter, the pop star’s entry into the country genre this year, he can succeed in 11 categories, including the main one for album of the year.
The organizers announced the nominations on Friday. The second highest number was claimed by singers Billie Eilish and Charli XCX with rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer Post Malone. All four can succeed in seven categories.
Already established Taylor Swift and, on the other hand, budding singers Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter collected six nominations each.
The most viewed category for album of the year is dominated by women. Beyoncé is already the most successful woman in Grammy history, yet she has never won the top prize for record of the year. Taylor Swift, on the other hand, has already received it four times and will have another chance next year with her breakup record The Tortured Poets Department.
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are vying for a Grammy for album of the year alongside Sabrina Carpenter nominated for Short n’ Sweet, Charli XCX with Brat, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft or Chapelle Roan nominated by the jury for The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
Two men were also nominated: rapper André 3000 with New Blue Sun and jazz musician Jacob Collier with Djesse Vol. 4. “When six of the eight artists nominated for album of the year are women, does this mean that the next Grammys will finally be marked by women? Yes and no, because the same could be said about this year’s ceremony, where the ratio was even seven women out of eight nominees for the main prize. Apparently it is the norm and not the exception,” notes Variety.com.
Beyoncé released the album Cowboy Carter this spring. Critics took it as an effort to highlight the overlooked role of black musicians in a genre that is traditionally perceived as white.
The album topped Billboard’s Country Albums chart, a feat never accomplished by a black woman. However, the acceptance was not without reservation, for example, at the Country Music Awards the month before last, Beyoncé did not succeed even once.
The forty-three-year-old singer will be able to correct it at the Grammys next year. Among other things, he can succeed with the single Texas Hold ‘Em, which has a chance to become the record of the year and the song of the year. After this Friday, Beyoncé has a combined 99 Grammy nominations, more than anyone before her. Until recently, she shared the lead with her husband, rapper Jay-Z, who was nominated for the award 88 times.
In the category of the discovery of the year, Sabrina Carpenter, known for the hit Espresso, will compete with the young Chappell Roan, the pop rock singer Benson Boone, the musician mixing hip hop with country called Shaboozey or the trans-genre artist Teddy Swims.
And the British The Beatles can also succeed. This year’s song Now and Then, in which John Lennon’s voice was helped by artificial intelligence, is nominated for a Grammy for record of the year. The winner will be chosen by approximately 13,000 singers, authors, producers and other members organized by the National Academy of Music Arts and Sciences.
Selected 2024 Grammy Nominations
Album of the year
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Charli XCX – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 4
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Record of the year
The Beatles – Now and Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ‘Em
Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso
Charli XCX – 360
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone - Fortnight
Song of the year
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - Die With a Smile
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – Fortnight
Chappell Roan - Good Luck, Babe!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ‘Em
Discovery of the year
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
Raye
Chappell Roan
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Best Rock Album
The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
DC Fountains – Romance
Green Day – Saviors
Idles - TANGK
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
Jack White – No Name
Alternative music
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God
Clairo – Charm
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Brittany Howard – What Now
St. Vincent - All Born Screaming
Best Rap Album
J. Cole – Might Delete Later
Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium, Vol. 1
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
Eminem – The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Music Industry Expert
Editor: Welcome to this special feature on the upcoming Grammy nominations! Today, I am thrilled to be joined by music industry expert, Dr. Melinda Torres. Dr. Torres is a renowned music critic and historian, with extensive knowledge about the evolution of music awards. Thank you for being with us, Dr. Torres!
Dr. Torres: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to dive into the Grammys and discuss such talented artists.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. Beyoncé is in the spotlight with her latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” which has earned her an incredible eleven nominations. How do you assess her chances this year, especially in the album of the year category?
Dr. Torres: Beyoncé has indeed created a significant moment in her career with “Cowboy Carter.” Not only does she draw attention for stepping into the country genre, which has historically sidelined black artists, but she has also amassed more Grammy nominations than any other artist in history—99! Her bold approach truly resonates with both critics and fans. Given her track record and the powerful themes in her album, I believe she has a very strong chance of clinching that coveted album of the year award.
Editor: It’s certainly an impressive feat, and it’s noteworthy that the album topped Billboard’s Country Albums chart—something previously unachieved by a black woman. What does this say about diversity in the country genre?
Dr. Torres: It’s groundbreaking, to say the least. Beyoncé’s success in the country genre highlights the overdue recognition of black musicians whose contributions have historically been overlooked. This moment may open the doors for more inclusive representation. While the reception can still be mixed, as shown by her experience at the Country Music Awards, the Grammy nominations suggest a shift in the industry’s attitude towards diverse narratives and sounds.
Editor: Absolutely. Looking at the album of the year nominees, we see a remarkable presence of women, with six female artists nominated. Do you think this signifies a shift in the industry?
Dr. Torres: Yes, it does! The fact that six out of eight nominees for album of the year are women is a strong indication of progress towards gender equity in an industry that has long been male-dominated. However, as Variety pointed out, we saw a similar trend this year with a heavy female representation as well. It will be interesting to see if this becomes the norm moving forward or if we revert to previous patterns.
Editor: Right. Speaking of established artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, Swift is also in the running with her album “The Tortured Poets Department.” How do you see the competition shaping up between these two superstars?
Dr. Torres: It’s fierce! Both Beyoncé and Taylor have massive fan bases and significant artistic credibility. Swift’s ability to narrate personal stories through her music resonates deeply with listeners, while Beyoncé’s artistic innovations and community-driven messages in her work speak to different yet equally passionate audiences. This rivalry is more than just awards; it’s a reflection of their individual journeys as artists. Given that Taylor has already won the record of the year several times, there’s a compelling narrative there, but it’s anyone’s game this time around.
Editor: Incredible insights! And what about the newcomers? Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan also stand out in the nominations. Can they disrupt the status quo?
Dr. Torres: Absolutely! The emergence of new talent like Carpenter and Roan is exciting for the industry. Their nominations reflect a shift towards recognizing fresh voices and innovative sounds in a landscape often dominated by established artists. Both bring unique styles to the table, and their creativity can resonate with voters. Disruption is always possible at the Grammys, and that would be a thrilling development!
Editor: let’s touch on the nomination of “Now and Then” by The Beatles, which utilized artificial intelligence. What implications does this have for the future of music production?
Dr. Torres: The nomination of a song enhanced by AI is a fascinating reflection of technology’s role in music creation. While some purists may question the authenticity of AI-generated music, it opens up new avenues for creativity and collaboration. It suggests that the industry is evolving, and could lead to more groundbreaking projects. However, it also raises questions about the essence of artistry in music. Balancing technology with human creativity will be a tightrope walk for future musicians.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Torres, for sharing your expertise! This year’s Grammy nominations are already proving to be exciting. We look forward to seeing how it all plays out!
Dr. Torres: Thank you for having me! Let’s keep celebrating the power of music and all its incredible diversity.
Editor: Stay tuned for more updates leading up to the Grammys!