Album of the Year:
Nominees:
“Midnight Vultures,” Beck
“The Marshall Mathers LP,” Eminem
“Kid A,” Radiohead
“You’re the One,” Paul Simon
“Two Against Nature,” Steely Dan
DAN
Should win: Love him or hate him, Eminem and his massive album sales should do the talking here.
Could win: Paul Simon, who already owns a dozen solo Grammys, is always a safe bet.
Record of the Year:
Nominees:
“Say My Name,” Destiny Child
“I Try,” Macy Gray
“Music,” Madonna
“Bye Bye Bye,” *NSYNC
“Beautiful Day,” U2
DAN
Should win: U2 deserves it; “Day” is just a terrific song.
Could win: *NSYNC is showing maturity while other boy bands have stagnated.
Best New Artist:
Nominees:
Shelby Lynne
Brad Paisley
Papa Roach
Jill Scott
Sisqo
DAN:
Should win: Sisqo has the highest profile, a great stage presence and a song that even cave dwellers know.
Could win: Shelby Lynne stands a chance if the Nashville voting contingent gets behind had her.
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:
Nominees:
“What a Girl Wants,” Christina Aguilera
“I Try,” Macy Gray
“Music,” Madonna
“Save Me,” Aimee Mann
“Oops! . . . I Did It Again,” Britney Spears
DAN
Should win: Christina Aguilera has the chops and the bright sparkle so admired in pop and she crushed Spears and Gray a year ago in the Best New Artist slot.
Could win: Madonna is a formidable name who’s moniker alone makes her a contender.
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
Nominees:
“You Sang to Me,” Marc Anthony
“Taking You Home,” Don Henley
“She Bangs” Ricky Martin
“6, 8, 12,” Brian McKnight
“She Walks This Earth . . . ” Sting
DAN
Should win: Ricky Martin has a great song and even greater sex appeal.
Could win: Sting was the dark horse last year and he nabbed a win in this category; he could do it again.
Best R&B Album:
Nominees:
“Nathan/Michael/Shawn/Wanya,” Boyz II Men
“The Heat,” Toni Braxton
“Voodoo,” D’Angelo
“My Name Is Joe,” Joe
“Who Is Jill Scott? . . . ” Jill Scott
“Unleash the Dragon,” Sisqo
DAN
Should win: D’Angelo for his incredibly emotional, powerful voice.
Could win: Toni Braxton is a survivor, proved by rising from the ashes of a crashed career and delivering a terrific album.
Album of the Year:
Nominees:
“Midnight Vultures,” Beck
“The Marshall Mathers LP,” Eminem
“Kid A,” Radiohead
“You’re the One,” Paul Simon
“Two Against Nature,” Steely Dan
MARY
Should win: Steely Dan. Voters enjoy a comeback, and this is a safe choice.
Could win: Fast-talking rapper Eminem added catchy hooks to make the most important album of the year, but voters aren’t likely to hand him the Grammy.
Best New Artist:
Nominees:
Shelby Lynne
Brad Paisley
Papa Roach
Jill Scott
Sisqo
MARY
Should win: It’s the year of the thong (see Britney Spears at the MTV Video Music Awards), and the year of Sisqo’s “Thong Song.” Could win: Shelby Lynn, who mixed twang, soul, and a dash of R&B to make a dazzling album. Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:
Nominees:
“What a Girl Wants,” Christina Aguilera
“I Try,” Macy Gray
“Music,” Madonna
“Save Me,” Aimee Mann
“Oops! . . . I Did It Again,” Britney Spears
MARY
Should win: Madonna. Oops, she does it again — this time in cowboy gear. Could win: Britney Spears. Did you see her Super Bowl outfit?!
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
Nominees:
“You Sang to Me,” Marc Anthony
“Taking You Home,” Don Henley
“She Bangs” Ricky Martin
“6, 8, 12,” Brian McKnight
“She Walks This Earth . . . ” Sting
MARY
Should win: Ricky Martin should’ve won last year. They owe him.
Could win: The pop-iest guy for in the pop category is Marc Anthony.
Best R&B Album:
Nominees:
“Nathan/Michael/Shawn/Wanya,” Boyz II Men
“The Heat,” Toni Braxton
“Voodoo,” D’Angelo
“My Name Is Joe,” Joe
“Who Is Jill Scott? . . . ” Jill Scott
“Unleash the Dragon,” Sisqo
MARY
Should win: D’Angelo, who was nominated all over the place in 2000 but left out of the Album of the Year ballot, scores here.
Could win: Who is Jill Scott? The world should know this soulful Philly singer.
Song of the Year
MARY
Should win: Macy Gray. She’s mainstream enough but still has some cool factor.
Could win: After a few missteps, U2 returns to its roots with “Beautiful Day,” sparking fresh fan love for these Irish lads.
