Press+1's Sonja Jackson looks ahead to what to expect from this Sunday's Grammys Show....

By: Sonja Jackson

When Music's Biggest Night takes place this Sunday, you can expect to see a star-filled, performance driven show led by rapper/actor LL Cool J. The two-time Grammy Award winner will be the show's first official host in seven years, and promises a "great night."  

Album of the Year will certainly be one of the most coveted prizes of the evening. This year, the category is dominated by commercially successful releases. Adele's 21, named after her age at the time the album was produced, is considered by many Grammy pundits to be the one to beat in the category. The pop soulstress' emotional confessional, written after a bitter breakup, spawned several hits that propelled it to "Top Selling Album of the Year" status in 2011 (with over 17 million copies sold worldwide so far).

Challenging Adele for the top prize are Bruno Mars with his debut release Doo-Wops & Hooligans, a melodic pop album comprised of radio hits such as "Just The Way You Are"; Lady Gaga with Born This Way, an album that sold over one million copies in its first week and the third consecutive release to earn the artist an Album of the Year nomination; alternative rock band The Foo Fighters with their seventh album Wasting Light, which was recorded entirely on analog tape (an uncommon practice in today's digital world); and Rihanna with Loud, an upbeat pop album released in November 2010 with a strong debut at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart.
 
The Best New Artist category, in which a relatively new hopeful is declared "the one to watch," is worthy of close attention on Sunday night because it is often unpredictable (remember jazz artist Esperanza Spalding beating out Justin Bieber and Drake last year for this award?). If the pundits are correct, however, Nicki Minaj will take home the win and become the third hip-hop artist/act to do so (Arrested Development won in 1993 and Lauryn Hill won in 1998). While the eclectic performer has been on the music scene for a few years now, releasing mixed tapes and appearing on other artists' tracks, her critically acclaimed debut album, Pink Friday, wasn't released until November 2010. Battling it out with Minaj for the sought after honour includes country music group The Band Perry, whose single "If I Die Young" (from their self-titled debut album) became a pop-crossover hit in 2011; electro/dubstep music producer Skrillex, who is nominated for five Grammys this year and has released three albums so far (to qualify as a "New Artist" a performer must have released at least one album, but no more than three); J.Cole, the 27-year-old German-born/American rapper who released his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story in September 2011 after making his mark in the underground hip-hop scene; and Bon Iver, the critically acclaimed indie folk band that has thus far released two albums (For Emma, Forever Ago, 2008; Bon Iver, Bon Iver, 2011), and gained widespread attention after appearing on Kanye West's widely popular album My Beautiful DarkTwisted Fantasy.
 
Two other categories that will be closely looked at on Grammy night are Song of the Year, which rewards the songwriter, and Record of the Year, which rewards the artist and the production team (i.e. the producers, recording engineers, and mixers) behind the song. This year, four nominees appear in both of these categories including Adele's bluesy, revenge song "Rolling in the Deep", which is the favourite to win each title. Also in the running for both awards are Bon Iver's "Holocene", a song that Jon Bream of the Star Tribune describes as "an achingly quiet, 5 1/2 minute falsetto-filled, gorgeous pop meditation"; Bruno Mars' pop/r&b ballad "Grenade," the second best selling digital single of 2011 (behind one of Mars' other hits,"Just The Way You Are"); and Mumford & Sons's "The Cave", which Billboard's Andrew Hampp describes as an "anthemic song with uplifting lyrics." Fighting against these heavy hitters are Katy Perry's self-empowerment anthem "Firework" for Record of the Year, and Kanye West's co-penned hit "All of the Lights" for Song of the Year.
 
Song of the Year is just one of seven nominations for Kanye West — more than any other Grammy nominee this year. With these odds, chances are that we'll see the always "entertaining" performer step up to the podium at least once on Grammy night. West goes head-to-head against himself in the Best Rap Album category, making it one of his greatest bets for a win. Watch The Throne (West's collaborative effort with Jay-Z), and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (West's solo album) are both competing for the title. The latter of the two seems to have the strongest chance of winning. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which the 34-year-old artist recorded following a hiatus from his music career in 2009, has been well-received by fans and unofficially deemed "The Best Hip-Hop Album of the Year" by many critics. Sean Fennessey of TheVillageVoice.com calls it "a staggering, often breathtaking work." It's not a slam dunk, however, for West. In addition to Nicki Minaj (Pink Friday), he's up against rap heavyweights Lil Wayne (Tha Carter IV) and Lupe Fiasco (Laser) for the award.
 
Surprisingly, although West has the most nods, he is currently not scheduled to perform on the show. Even with his absence from the lineup, this year's production still boasts an exciting, all-star mix of performers. Adele, who is expected to sweep the Grammys, will make a return to the live stage after undergoing vocal surgery last fall, and ColdPlay will perform "Princess of China" (from their album Mylo Xyloto) with Rihanna for the first time live.  Other artists slated to perform include Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry.
 
While there won't be any Canadians performing, they will have a presence on Music's Biggest Night with five homegrown talents up for awards: Drake (nominated in the Best Rap Performance and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration categories), Sum 41 (nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, Deadmau5 (nominated for Best Dance Album, Best Dance Recording, and Best Remixed Recording), R&B singer Melanie Fiona (nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance); and Arcade Fire (nominated for Best Recording Package).

Confirmed presenters include Drake, Jack Black, Gwyneth Paltrow, Fergie, Ringo Starr, Dierks Bentley, and Miranda Lambert.
 
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 12th. Press+1 will be live blogging during the show, and you can join the conversationg with us on Twitter.

So who do you think will take home the night's biggest awards? Check out the complete list of Grammy Nominees below, and post your comments/predictions.
 
Album of the Year

- 21, Adele

- Wasting Light, Foo Fighters

- Born This Way, Lady Gaga

- Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Bruno Mars

- Loud, Rihanna

Record of the Year

- "Rolling in the Deep," Adele

- "Holocene," Bon Iver
- "Grenade," Bruno Mars

- "The Cave," Mumford & Sons

- "Firework," Katy Perry

Song of the Year

- "All of the Lights," Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie (Writer: Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter and Kanye West)

- "The Cave," Mumford & Sons (Writers: Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford and Country Winston)

- "Grenade," Bruno Mars (Writers: Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars and Andrew Wyatt)

- "Holocene," Bon Iver (Writer: Justin Vernon)

- "Rolling in the Deep," Adele (Writers: Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth)

Best New Artist

- Nicki Minaj

- Bon Iver

- The Band Perry

- J. Cole -Skrillex

Best Female Pop Solo Performance

- "Someone Like You," Adele

- "You and I," Lady Gaga

- "Grenade," Bruno Mars

- "Firework," Katy Perry

- "F--kin' Perfect," Pink

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

- "Body and Soul," Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse

- "Dearest," The Black Keys

- "Paradise," Coldplay

- "Pumped Up Kicks," Foster The People

- "Moves Like Jagger," Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera

Best Pop Vocal Album

- 21, Adele

- The Lady Killer, Cee Lo Green

- Born This Way, Lady Gaga

- Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Bruno Mars

- Loud, Rihanna

Best Dance Recording

- "Raise Your Weapon," Deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech

- "Barbra Streisand," Duck Sauce

- "Sunshine," David Guetta and Avicii

- "Call Your Girlfriend," Robyn

- "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites," Skrillex

- "Save the World," Swedish House Mafia

Best Dance/Electronica Album

- Zonoscope, Cut/Copy

- 4x4=12, Deadmau5

- Nothing But the Beat, David Guetta

- Body Talk, Pt. 3, Robyn

- Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, Skrillex

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

- Duets II, Tony Bennett and Various Artists

- The Gift, Susan Boyle

- In Concert on Broadway, Harry Connick Jr.

- Music Is Better Than Words, Seth MacFarlane

- What Matters Most: Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Barbra Streisand

Best Rock Performance

- "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall," Coldplay

- "Down By the Water," The Decemberists

- "Walk," Foo Fighters

- "The Cave," Mumford & Sons

- "Lotus Flower," Radiohead

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance

- "On the Backs of Angels," Dream Theater
- "White Limo," Foo Fighters
- "Curl of the Burl," Mastodon
- "Public Enemy No. 1," Megadeth
- "Blood in My Eyes," Sum 41

Best Rock Song

- "The Cave," Mumford & Sons (Writers: Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford and Country Winston)

- "Down by the Water," The Decemberists (Writer: Colin Meloy)

- "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall," Coldplay (Writers: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin)

- "Lotus Flower," Radiohead (Writers: Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Phil Selway and Thom Yorke)

- "Walk," Foo Fighters (Writers: Foo Fighters)

Best Rock Album

- Rock 'n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul, Jeff Beck

- Wasting Light, Foo Fighters

- Come Around Sundown, Kings of Leon

- I'm With You, Red Hot Chili Peppers

- The Whole Love, Wilco

Best Alternative Music Album

- Bon Iver, Bon Iver

- Codes and Keys, Death Cab for Cutie

- Torches, Foster the People

- Circuital, My Morning Jacket

- The King of Limbs, Radiohead

Best R&B Performance

- "Far Away," Marsha Ambrosius

- "Pieces of Me," Ledisi

- "Not My Daddy," Kelly Price and Stokely

- "Is This Love," Corinne Bailey Rae

- "You Are," Charlie Wilson

Best Traditional R&B Performance

- "Sometimes I Cry," Eric Benet

- "Fool for You," Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona

- "Radio Message," R. Kelly

- "Good Man," Raphael Saadiq

- "Surrender," Betty Wright and The Roots

Best R&B Song

- "Far Away," Marsha Ambrosius (Writers: Marsha Ambrosius, Sterling Simms and Justin Smith)

- "Fool for You," Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona (Writers: Cee Lo Green and Jack Splash)

- "Not My Daddy," Kelly Price and Stockley (Writer: Kelly Price)

- "Pieces of Me," Ledisi (Writers: Charles Harmon, Claude Kelly and Ledisi Young

- "You Are," Charlie Wilson (Writers: Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr., Wirlie Morris, Charlie Wilson and Mahin Wilson)

Best R&B Album

- F.A.M.E, Chris Brown

- Second Chance, El DeBarge

- Love Letter, R. Kelly

- Pieces of Me, Ledisi

- Kelly, Kelly Price

Best Rap Performance

- "Look at Me Now," Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
- "Otis," Kanye West and Jay-Z

- "The Show Goes On," Lupe Fiasco

- "Moment 4 Life," Nicki Minaj and Drake

- "Black and Yellow," Wiz Khalifa

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

- "Party," Beyoncè and Andrè 3000

- "I'm on One," DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne

- "I Need a Doctor," Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey

- "What's My Name," Rihanna and Drake

- "Motivation," Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne

- "All of the Lights," Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie

Best Rap Song

- "All of the Lights," Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie (Writers: Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter and Kanye West)

- "Black and Yellow," Wiz Khalifa (Writers: Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen and Cameron Thomaz)

- "I Need a Doctor," Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey (Writers: Andre Young, Marshall MAthers III, Alexander Grant and Skylar Grey

- "Look at Me Now," Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes (Writers: Jean Baptiste, Chris Brown, Ryan Buendia, Trevor Smith, Dwayne Carther Jr., and Wesley Pentz)

- "Otis," Kanye West and Jay-Z (Writers: Shawn Carter and Kanye West)

- "The Show Goes On," Lupe Fiasco (Writers: Dustin William Brower, Jonathon Keith Brown, Daniel Johnson, Kane and Wasalu Muhammad Jaco)

Best Rap Album

- Watch the Throne, Jay-Z and Kanye West

- Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne

- Lasers, Lupe Fiasco

- Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj

- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West

Bset Country Solo Performance

- "Dirt Road Anthem," Jason Aldean

- "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," Martina McBride

- "Honey Bee," Blake Shelton

- "Mean," Taylor Swift

- "Mama's Song," Carrie Underwood

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

- "Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson

- "You and Tequila," Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

- "Barton Hollow," The Civil Wars

- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," Thompson Square

Best Country Song

- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," Thompson Square (Writers: Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy)

- "God Gave Me You," Blake Shelton (Writers: Dave Barnes)

- "Just Fishin'," Trace Adkins (Writers: Casey Beathard, Money Criswell and Ed Hill)

- "Mean," Taylor Swift (Writers: Taylor Swift)

- "Threaten Me With Heaven," Vince Gill (Writers: Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley and Dillon O'Brian)

- "You and Tequila," Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter (Writers: Matraca Berg and Deana Carter)

Best Country Album

- My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean

- Chief, Eric Church

- Own the Night, Lady Antebellum

- Red River Blue, Blake Shelton

- Here for a Good Time, George Strait

- Speak Now, Taylor Swift

Written by :

SJackson