Grammy Awards 2023: What to watch for and who should win

Los Angeles, California - The 65th Annual Grammy Awards are around the corner. Here's everything you need to know about music's biggest night and who deserves to win in the most contested categories.

Harry Styles (l), Adele (c), and Lizzo are all nominated at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
Harry Styles (l), Adele (c), and Lizzo are all nominated at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.  © Collage: Kevin Winter & Dimitrios Kambouris/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP/IMAGO/Cover-Images

The Grammy Awards are on Sunday night, and comedian Trevor Noah is set to host the prestigious event. Taking place at the Crypto.com Arena, the 2023 Grammys will feature performances by nominated stars such as Brandi Carlile, Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Steve Lacy, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith featuring Kim Petras, and Harry Styles.

However, there are additional last-minute performers that have yet to be announced, and some are hoping that music industry icons Beyoncé and Adele grace the Grammy stage with performances of their own.

The awards show will also reportedly feature tributes to the late Loretta Lynn by Kacey Musgraves, the late Christine McVie by Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and Mick Fleetwood, and former Migos member Takeoff by Maverick City Music and the late rapper's uncle, Quavo.

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The presenters for the 65th Grammys include 2022's Best New Artist winner Olivia Rodrigo, First Lady Jill Biden, Cardi B, TV host James Corden, and Shania Twain, amongst others.

While Beyoncé is undoubtedly one of the most nominated artists this year, the competition is stacked in highly contested categories such as Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

Then there's Best New Artist, a category chock-full of talent, and each nominee deserves a Grammy win.

Unfortunately, every artist nominated in each category cannot win, so we're breaking down who we think should take home the Grammy for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist at the 65th Grammy Awards.

Who should win Record of the Year at the 65th Grammys?

Doja Cat (l) and Kendrick Lamar are going up against each other for Record of the Year at the 65th Grammys.
Doja Cat (l) and Kendrick Lamar are going up against each other for Record of the Year at the 65th Grammys.  © Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/dojacat/Ser Baffo / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The award for Record of the Year is awarded for a single or track off an album and goes to the performing artist as well as the song's producer, recording engineer, and/or mixer.

This year's nominees for the coveted award include the likings of Adele for Easy on Me, Beyoncé for Break My Soul, Doja Cat for Woman, Harry Styles for As it Was, Kendrick Lamar for The Heart Part 5, Lizzo for About Damn Time, Brandi Carlile for You and Me on the Rock, Mary J. Blige for Good Morning Gorgeous, Steve Lacy for Bad Habit, and shockingly, Abba for Don’t Shut Me Down.

While each song is iconic in its own right, only one can win the prestigious Grammy for Record of the Year.

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While we'd love nothing more than for Beyoncé to take home the W for this one, we can see this award going to Doja Cat and her team for Woman, or Kendrick Lamar for his legendary work on The Heart Part 5.

Who should win Album of the Year at the 65th Grammys?

Beyoncé (l) and Bad Bunny are going head-to-head for Album of the Year at the 65th Grammys.
Beyoncé (l) and Bad Bunny are going head-to-head for Album of the Year at the 65th Grammys.  © Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/beyonce/TikTok/badbunny

Album of the Year is pretty self-explanatory, as it's awarded for an album, and goes to the performer and artists featured on the album, songwriters, producers, recording engineers, mixers, and mastering engineers.

The nominees for Album of the Year are Abba for Voyage, Adele for 30, Bad Bunny for Un Verano Sin Ti, Beyoncé for Renaissance, Brandi Carlile for In These Silent Days, Coldplay for Music of the Spheres, Harry Styles for Harry’s House, Kendrick Lamar for Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, Lizzo for Special, and Mary J. Blige for the deluxe edition of Good Morning Gorgeous.

While Styles' highly supportive fanbase, known as the "Harries," are likely pulling for the Music for a Sushi Restaurant singer to win the Grammy, we feel that may not happen.

Rather, we can see Album of the Year going to Beyoncé for the transcendent album Renaissance or Bad Bunny for Un Verano Sin Ti.

After all, it's time to put some Grammy respect on both artists' names in this highly competitive category.

Who should win Best New Artist at the 65th Grammys?

Måneskin is up for Best New Artist at the 65th Grammys.
Måneskin is up for Best New Artist at the 65th Grammys.  © Imago/UPI Photo

Things get a little muddled when it comes to Best New Artist because every nominee deserves to take home the Grammy.

With nominees that include Anitta, Omar Apollo, DOMi and JD Beck, Samara Joy, Latto, Måneskin, Muni Long, Tobe Nwigwe, Molly Tuttle, and Wet Leg, it's clear that the competition is top-tier.

Though we'd be beside ourselves if Tobe Nwigw or Muni Long took home the Grammy for Best New Artist, it's likely this will go to Omar Apollo, Anitta, or Italian rock band Måneskin, who have successfully taken the world by storm over the last year.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards will kick off at 8 PM EST on Sunday and will be broadcast on CBS and available to stream on Paramount+.

Cover photo: Collage: Kevin Winter & Dimitrios Kambouris/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP/IMAGO/Cover-Images

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