After a month-long delay, the much-anticipated 2021 Grammys take place Sunday, March 14. Here are my hopes and predictions for who should and will win. 

Record of the year: 

Who I want to win: Say So by Doja Cat 

Who will win: Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa 

 In the production-based category of Record of the year, I believe Say So by Doja Cat should win. All in all, it is an infectious, and fun song with its disco-esq production and Doja’s shining personality. It was also an incredibly popular song. Doja Cat has come a long way and has had a big year, so I think she and this song deserve it.  

However, I think Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now will win as it was more popular and for longer. Dua and this song had a big year, and I see the academy preferring her over Doja, shown by how many more categories Dua was nominated in. 

Song of the year: 

Who I want to win: Cardigan by Taylor Swift 

Who will win: Cardigan by Taylor Swift 

Song of the year is a category focused on songwriting, so I want this to go to Taylor Swift’s immaculately written Cardigan. I think it’s the best lyrical piece in the category, and also popular enough to win. 

Best new artist:
Who I want to win: Megan Thee Stallion  

Who will win: Megan Thee Stallion 

Best new artist might be the closest category for me. This year had a lot of interesting new artists break through, but I think this should go to Megan Thee Stallion. She truly entered the mainstream this year with several memorable hits, which is why I also think it will end up going to her. I also think Doja Cat and Pheobe Bridgers deserve it, and certainly have a chance. 

Best pop group/duo performance 

Who I want to win: Exile by Taylor Swift ft. Bon Iver 

Who will win: Dynamite by BTS 

Best pop group/duo performance will easily be one of the most looked at categories this year, with arguably the biggest artists nominated in Lady Gaga, BTS, and Taylor Swift. I think Exile by Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver is the best song nominated, and Rain on Me by Lady Gaga featuring Ariana Grande is a close second.  

But I think this award must go to BTS, as it’s the only category they’re nominated in. Dynamite was a huge song, and BTS is also preforming it at the ceremony, which leads me to believe they won’t be preforming just to lose their one nomination. 

Best pop vocal album: 

Who I want to win: Chromatica by Lady Gaga 

Who will win: Folklore or Future Nostalgia 

For best pop vocal album, I’d like Lady Gaga’s Chromatica, a well-made and whimsical pop album that arguably got snubbed from the bigger categories. I think she should get something for this record, and best pop vocal album suits it.  

However, I think it will go to either Future Nostalgia or Folklore, depending on who doesn’t win album of the year, so probably Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. 

Album of the year: 

Who I want to win: Women In Music 3 by Haim 

Who will win: Folklore by Taylor Swift 

I think the biggest award, the Grammy for album of the year, should go to alternative girl group Haim’s Women in Music part 3. Haim have come a long way in a genre dominated by men, making excellent alternative and rock music for the better part of eight years. Their hard work and excellent music have gone largely unnoticed, and I think after so long they deserve this. Also, it’s just a great album.  

However, I do think Taylor Swift’s Folklore is better. I think Taylor will win this, mostly due to her popularity. Folklore is a universally loved album. From what I’ve seen, it’s most people’s pick in this category. Like I said, as an album I even prefer it over Women in Music. This is a glory Taylor has seen before, deservedly so, but Haim deserve their moment in the sun for this album. 

Best pop solo performance:
Who I want to win: Cardigan by Taylor Swift 

Who will win: Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa 

For best pop solo performance I think Cardigan is the better song, for its stunning lyrics and atmospheric production mentioned before. 

But I think this award will probably be the consolation prize for whoever doesn’t get album of the year and/or song of the year. I see both of these going to Taylor Swift, so I think this will go to her closest competitor, Dua Lipa, although I do think Cardigan is a better song. 

All in all, 2020 had many notable albums– and the Grammys are sure to be closely watched with such great competition.