Grammy Predictions: fun.? Frank Ocean? Black Keys?

TALBOTT: Imagine how much we’d be talking about Miguel if Frank Ocean wasn’t currently stealing the night. Ocean may be reshaping the face of R&B, but Miguel’s carrying a chisel, too.

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RAP ALBUM: “Take Care,” Drake; “Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1,” Lupe Fiasco; “Life Is Good,” Nas; “Undun,” The Roots; “God Forgives, I Don’t,” Rick Ross; “Based on a T.R.U. Story,” 2 Chainz.

TALBOTT: With all due respect to Nas, this should be Drake’s trophy. Remember back to the halcyon days of late 2011 when “Take Care” ruled with its blend of world-beating swagger and knowing self-awareness? Probably not, and there’s a good chance voters won’t either (only three nominations? Really?). Newer albums always have the advantage, so we’re going to predict Nas wins here … and anxiously await that new single from Drake.

FEKADU: We need to put you in a hip-hop 101 class. Drake over Nas by choice? I can’t even deal. You are right about one thing though _ Nas wins here. And he should.

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COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMNCE: “Home,” Dierks Bentley; “Springsteen,” Eric Church; “Cost of Livin’,” Ronnie Dunn; “Wanted,” Hunter Hayes; “Over,” Blake Shelton; “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood.

FEKADU: A country song about Bruce Springsteen? Yeah, you win Eric Church.

TALBOTT: Hey, now, wait a minute, don’t go handing that trophy away so easily … just kiddin’. That’s pretty unassailable logic. I wonder if Church will wear his sunglasses onstage? That’d be pretty boss.

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Online:

http://www.grammy.com

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Follow Mesfin Fekadu on Twitter at twitter.com/MusicMesfin and Chris Talbott at twitter.com/Chris_Talbott

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