Continuing on with my nomination predictions we have Rap and R&B. There are some big names here, but also some surprises that could see a win on the night. (As always Red is my prediction, Blue is my personal pick.)

Rap

Best Rap Performance

ASAP Rocky – ****in Problems (Feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar)
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Eminem – Berserk
Kanye West – New Slaves
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop (Feat. Wanz)

Alternatives: Jay Z – Tom Ford, Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Ciara – I’m Out (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
J Cole – Power Trip (Feat. Miguel)
Jay Z – Holy Grail (Feat. Justin Timberlake)
Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie (Feat. Jay-Z)
Wale – Bad (Remix) (Feat. Rihanna)

Alternatives: Jay Z – Part II (On the Run) (Feat. Beyonce), Kendrick Lamar – Now Or Never (Feat. Mary J Blige)

Best Rap Song

ASAP Rocky – ****in Problems (Feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar)
Jay Z – Holy Grail (Feat. Justin Timberlake)
Kanye West – New Slaves
Kendrick Lamar – Poetic Justice (Feat. Drake)
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop (Feat. Wanz)

Alternatives: Drake – Started From The Bottom, Eminem – Berserk

Best Rap Album

Drake – Nothing Was The Same
Jay Z – Magna Carta…Holy Grail
Kanye West – Yeezus
Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist

Alternatives: A$AP Rocky – Long.Live.A$AP, J Cole – Born Sinner

2012/2013 in Hip Hop was an interesting time for so many reasons. Near the end of 2012 acts like Kendrick Lamar really hit their stride, blowing away critics and fans alike with their intricate storytelling. In 2013 though, the material released by Grammy favourites Drake, Jay Z and even Kanye disappointed. Maybe expectations were too high, but it really opens things up for this upcoming awards season. The big hits I expect to appear here include the best thing Jay Z has done without Kanye in years, the Timberlake assisted Holy Grail, as well as the year’s 4 piece rap throwdown on ****in Problems. Those aside, Macklemore’s Thrift Shop and album The Heist will be nominated in 3 categories here and he will probably take home all three. Why their other hit Can’t Hold Us hasn’t been submitted for Rap/Sung Collaboration is confusing, but this opens up the category for songs like Holy Grail or Power Trip. I will be very happy if Ciara can sneak in with I’m Out, featuring one of Nicki Minaj’s best verses since Monster, the fact that she actually has a shot at some nominations this year astounds me. Kanye submitting New Slaves may backfire for him, I think Black Skinhead would have had a stronger shot at picking up a trophy or two, even if Macklemore has it already in the bag.

R&B

Best R&B Performance

Alicia Keys – Fire We Make (Feat. Maxwell)
Ciara – Body Party
Janelle Monae f/ Erykah Badu – Q.U.E.E.N.
Justin Timberlake – Pusher Lover Girl
Rihanna – Pour It Up

Alternatives: Chris Brown – Love More (Feat. Nicki Minaj), Robin Thicke – For The Rest of My Life, The Weeknd – Wicked Games

Best R&B Song

Alicia Keys – Fire We Make (Feat. Maxwell)
Bruno Mars – If I Knew
Justin Timberlake – Pusher Lover Girl
Rihanna f/ Future – Loveeeeeee Song
The Weeknd – Wicked Games

Alternatives: Chris Brown – Love More (Feat. Nicki Minaj), Ciara – Body Party, Miguel – Candles In The Sun

Best Urban Contemporary R&B Album

Brandy – Two Eleven
Ciara – Ciara
Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady
Rihanna – Unapologetic
The Weeknd – Trilogy

Alternatives: Fantasia – Side Effects Of You, Kelly Rowland – Talk a Good Game, Ne-Yo – R.E.D.

The R&B categories are always a tricky one to predict. Some acts like Alicia Keys opt for the Traditional categories, while most stick to the Urban Contemporary award for album. Seeing The Weeknd among the submissions is sure to raise eyebrows among the more stringent R&B listeners in the voters. He appeals to the Hip Hop demographic much more, so him making the cut here really depends on how many voters are Rap fans too. Alicia Keys and her Maxwell duet Fire We Make is sure to see a nomination or two, though album track submissions from Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars could lessen her chances of a win. The album category is well up for grabs, Janelle Monae looking like the likely candidate among much more commercial artists. The one act I’m hoping scores at least one nomination in R&B has to be Ciara. Body Party is the first song of her career that may actually have a chance of winning a Grammy, a prospect I don’t think I could handle on the night. R&B categories are definitely up for grabs this year, so if you are looking for a surprise winner this may be the best place to find it.