Here's Who I Think Should Win At The 2022 Grammys, Ranked

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The Grammys are coming on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

As a self-appointed music guru, I ranked all the songs and albums in the Pop, Rap, and R&B categories.

As a self-appointed music guru, I ranked all the songs and albums in the Pop, Rap, and R&B categories.

Andy Cross / Denver Post via Getty Images

Best Pop Solo Performance

Grammy's Description: "For new vocal or instrumental pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only."

5. "Anyone" by Justin Bieber

Def Jam / Via giphy.com

Beliebers, don't be mad! Justin released this song on the first day of the year 2021 in honor of his wife and, honestly, the song is beautiful and worth the nomination. The only thing is with this nom is that the girls in this category ate!

4. "Right on Time" by Brandi Carlile

Jimmy Fallon / Via giphy.com

Ever since "Right On Time" was played in an Uncle Nicky scene in This Is Us, I've been fascinated. Carlile's Album "In These Silent Days" was good and this song is the standout track from it! Carlile's ballads when singing about her stubbornness has a certain power to it that makes me wish the best for her. If this song wins in this category, I would NOT be upset.

3. "Happier Than Ever" by Billie Ellish

Universal Music Group / Via giphy.com

"Happier Than Ever" is one of those songs I'll pay big bucks to scream word for word at a concert. The thrill this song gives me is amazing and would win the best emotional roller coaster song any day of the week. There is something about the second half of this song that has made me debate several times: "Is this the best song Billie ever made or does this long-distance relationship keep me emotional?" Either or, this song is great and Billie deserves all the awards!

2. "Positions" by Ariana Grande

Republic Records / Via giphy.com

"I'm just hopin' I don't repeat history" is a bar! Sorry, Pete.I'm a stan for a nice crooning track from talented artists and this song gives me just that. In this song, Grande talks about how she is now putting the heartbreaks she had in the past and now looking for a new dude. Hinting at the double entendre of "Positions". Ariana is the current "It Girl" of pop and the sound evolves around her well-thought lyrics and wonderful singing voice. This display is worth a Grammy, pretty much like everything else she does.

1. "Drivers License" by Olivia Rodrigo

Interscope Records / Via giphy.com

This song has been a banger since Day Uno! From the piano building up the song, the balls to make such a dark song as a Disney star your debut single, the pen to make such an emotional song, and one of the best bridges I ever heard (literally in my top 3), this song should be the Grammy winner of Best Pop Solo Performance.I know I said in the last paragraph "I'm a sucker for a good crooning track" but I have the same feeling about a song where the bridge exceeds way past the rest of the song when the song is already pretty good. I love elite bridges for the extra "umphh" it can bring to a song. Example: Katy Perry in E.T. or Frank Ocean in "Thinking Bout You".

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Grammy Description: For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

5. "Higher Power" by Coldplay

NBC / Via giphy.com

Despite my ranking of it, I want to say that the people negatively bashing this song is unfair! "Higher Power" is one of the best Coldplay songs ever. This song has such positive lyrics followed by a great bass line from Guy Berryman.

4. "Butter" by BTS

Def Jam / Via giphy.com

When I first heard "Dynamite", I totally understood all the BTS hype. This group reeks of star power with amazing energy and that song was a mega mega mega-hit. When they followed up with this track, I was not disappointed. The track production stands out to me and has a certain funk to it that will make me pull it back out this summer.

3. "Lonely" by Justin Bieber & benny blanco

Def Jam / Via giphy.com

"Lonely" is an emotional and raw masterpiece. This is the dark horse in this category and honestly should have more attention than it does. One thing Bieber has done in the past year is shown how versatile of an artist he is. If you need an example of why here it is.

2. "I Get A Kick Out Of You" by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

GRAMMYs / Via giphy.com

This entire category is so hard, all these songs are very good but the last two stand out from the rest. In the '20s, this is making my top 10 best music video list so far. The pop and jazz melodies stand out on this track and musically its upper echelon. No one should be mad at this track winning — and if it does, I hope it doesn't turn sour.

1. "Kiss Me More" by Doja Cat Featuring SZA

RCA Records / Via giphy.com

This song should win! As a matter of fact, this actually better win, or I'll riot! (Okay, I lied, Imma be at home eating BBQ wings but the point stands.) This song gives me a certain euphoria I never imagined in my life until I heard it. Doja and SZA did something special here that I need more of. This record was the longest-charting all-female collab in history and for good reasons. I have five different favorite parts of the song but I'll stick with one standout part from each artist.SZA as the featured artist slides on tracks like no other R&B girl out at the moment. Her enjambment used in the songs makes me dazed in amazement. SZA vocals as the feature make her enhance the song like no other but that is due to the precedent Miss Doja already settled up before.Doja Cat is the 1, not the 2. The way she effortlessly can be prominent in the R&B space, give prominent bars in the rap space while dominating in the mainstream pop space is like no other. In this song, she seduces us with her versatility like no other person in the game and that's why this is the best pop collab nomination.

Best Pop Vocal Album

Grammy Description: For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new pop vocal recordings.

5. "Happier Than Ever" by Billie Eilish

Universal Music Group / Via giphy.com

"Happier Than Ever" is one of those cases where I truly believe the song with the same name as the album is better than the album. "Happier Than Ever" is a great showcase by Billie but compared to the other four albums, this one song's quality doesn't match up. For a 20-year-old being able to speak about this array of topics blows my mind. Another AOTY win should be heading her way in the future.

4. "Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)" by Justin Bieber

Def Jam / Via giphy.com

Justin Bieber entered back in the pop lane with this album. Despite having the bop "Peaches" on this album, production on this album was not the best and it lacks songs with great replay value. I hope R&Bieber comes back this year.

3. "Sour" by Olivia Rodrigo

Interscope Records / Via giphy.com

With songs like "good 4 u", "deja vu" and "traitor', this album was a successful debut. The "SOUR" film is expected to come. Vinyl has been my favorite thing from the pandemic and this album is the highest selling vinyl of 2022. Olivia is the unapologetically Gen Z pop star of the future.

2. "Positions" by Ariana Grande

Republic Records / Via giphy.com

This is hands down Grande's sexual freedom album. Seeing Grande in her grown woman bag is so wild after the portrayal of her nickelodeon character being so soft-spoken. I love this album for the fact that it added more background on who Ariana is and her thoughts. An album worthy of winning this award.

1. "Planet Her (Deluxe)" by Doja Cat

RCA Records / Via giphy.com

This album blasted Doja into superstar status as she deserves. The space themes to the high-budget music videos ranging from pop-rap makes this the album to win for me. The kaleidoscope of the aura screams pop star and soon we are going to be in the era where Doja has "sons" in the pop space.

Best Rap Performance

Grammy Description: For a Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.

4. "M Y . L I F E" by J. Cole Featuring 21 Savage & Morray

DreamVille / Via giphy.com

The world is ready for a Cole/21 Collab tape, and they need to give it to us!

3. "Thot Sh*t" by Megan Thee Stallion

COACH / Via giphy.com

As a fellow Texas native, I will always show love for Meg. On this track, I love how she clapped back at her critics the only way she knows how!

2. "Family Ties" by Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar (Best Rap Song)

Sony Music Entertainment / Via giphy.com

So there is no misunderstanding, "Family Ties" is the BEST RAP SONG that was listed for the Grammys and will win in that category. The real-life cousins did something on this track that should go down in the West Coast Hall of Fame. Younger Cousin Baby Keem rapping as the young up and coming rapper demanding the respect of his peers and Kendrick is the old head OG who everyone knows how he gives it up and has been out of the limelight for some time but dropping these bars to let y'all know he's still those four letters: GOAT.None of the other rap songs compare and this should win best Rap song hands down and probably should take Best Rap Performances for the lengthy verses but I got that spot for another superstar whose hit song edges them out.

1. "Up" by Cardi B

Recording Academy / Via giphy.com

"Up" had it all: the viral TikTok choreo, catchy bars, and the motivational tag line. Throughout the song, she talks about her rags to riches story of being called "ugly" to now a millionaire! After her 2021 Grammy performance, we saw the artist perform "Up" and immediately have the song reach #1. Whatever Cardi does is #1 and her pulling off the bars with such Cardi Energy makes this the winner of Best Rap performance in my eyes!

Best Melodic Rap Performance

Grammy Description: For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.

5. "P R I D E . I S . T H E . D E V I L" by J. Cole Featuring Lil Baby

DreamVille / Via giphy.com

These two were the two best rappers of 2021 in my eyes. Lil Baby can not do any wrong right now and J Cole is hitting on all cylinders. The two should make more music on melodic beats soon.

4. "Need To Know" by Doja Cat

RCA Records / Via giphy.com

Doja wrote this song is reminiscent of Mr. Krabs writing the Krabby patty formula. This song is legendary and deserves all the flowers.

3. "Industry Baby" by Lil Nas X Featuring Jack Harlow

MTV / Via giphy.com

The first second I played this song, I had to run this song back. This song is an anthem! This song brought together straight men and gay men together like something I have never seen before. The chemistry both these two-man have is what made this song flourish. The MTV performance of the show is the highlight moment to come from this song to me. That performance showed that both of these men are the future of the industry.

2. "Wusyaname" by Tyler, The Creator Featuring Youngboy Never Broke Again & Ty Dolla $ign

Columbia Records / Via giphy.com

When everyone I know heard YoungBoy's verse on this joint we all were shocked because not in a million years did we think he would sound so good on a song like this. Tyler has a superpower pulling out the best in people and this song shows it.

1. "Hurricane" by Kanye West Featuring The Weeknd & Lil Baby

GOOD Music

As someone who watched every single one of those Kanye's "Listening Experiences" for Donda, hearing this song so many different ways and loving them all left me so impressed. Soon as Abel did the hook and Ye got the Baby feature, I was waiting for the Grammy Nominees to come out just so this song can be my pick for the best melodic song.This song is just too good. I really would be disappointed if it doesn't win.

Best Rap Album

Grammy Description: For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.

4. "King's Disease II" by Nas

Universal Music Group / Via giphy.com

The Best Rap feature on a non-Kanye song came from this album right here. Lauryn Hill gave an incredible performance and Nas and Hit-Boy is the most underrated rapper-producer duo of the past few years. This album's sequencing and the subject matter set this apart from most tapes that we listen to today. I prefer the first King's Disease but this is still a great outing.

3. "The Off-Season" by J. Cole

Dreamville / Via giphy.com

"This sh*t too easy for me now" is my thoughts the whole time listening to this tape. J Cole took it to another level on this tape. My favorite part about this tape is actually the rollout. His releasing of a motivational documentary for the album, playing professional ball, and dropping two hard freestyles will make me remember the rollout as much as the tape itself. Cole's feature game in 2022 has started strong and I'm excited to see what's next.

2. "Donda" by Kanye West

GOOD Music / Via giphy.com

Speaking of rollouts, this one was the only one to top Cole's all of last year. The tape itself is incredible. "Come to Life" is one of Kanye's best songs he's ever made. The best rap verse of 2021 was on this deluxe courtesy of Andre 3000 and "Off The Grid" will be a classic 'Ye' Track. I believe this album will grow on people. I can't wait to see the impact "Donda" will have on the industry in the next five years.

1. "Call Me If You Get Lost" by Tyler, The Creator

Columbia Records / Via giphy.com

The best rap album of 2021 came from the best live performer in the rap game at the moment. Sir Tyler Baudelaire made an instant classic with this DJ Drama Tape! Whether he rapping on his thoughts about transgressions he experience or the development of him as an artist as he did in "MASSA", Tyler's charisma makes him one of the most fun rappers to listen to and if you haven't listened to CMIYGL then please do.

Best R&B Performance

Grammy Description: For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.

5. "Peaches" by Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon

Def Jam / Via giphy.com

So "Peaches" is a love ballad that I absolutely love from three talented singers. It has a catchy bop to it that would make this song a "no skip" in my whip. My issue with this song in this category is that when I ask other people's thoughts on this song, they are amazed that it's R&B (which I actually think it is) but a lazier attempt at doing so. This song to me highlights the biggest issue of his album, it's missing his true sound. As someone who loves "Journals" and "Purpose", the sound consistency he had on those tapes and the singles to match is something I want Justin to go back towards for the next outing.

4. "Lost You" by Snoh Aalegra

Soul Train / Via giphy.com

The R&B categories are the hardest ones due to such tough competition. As I look back at other years' winners and compare them to this song there are many instances where this is winning. This song has a somber feeling and the rim clicks on the song are gorgeous. Only Snoh can talk about a toxic relationship she's supposed to leave so smoothly.

3. "Leave The Door Open" by Silk Sonic

Atlantic Records / Via giphy.com

This '70s throwback was amazing and had the entire world in a torture rack. The arrangement is flawless, the addition of Bootsy Collins is flawless and the harmonies were flawless. The slight things both men do such as Mars using his falsetto voice for the beginning of the song and building his way to using more range and power later in the song and Paak's way of words and saying them with such confidence to make you believe he can finesse any woman. This is a song that can win and no one will blink an eye.

2. "Damage" by H.E.R

BET / Via giphy.com

Look... This was my second most-listened-to song of 2021 according to Apple Music Replay and I will defend this song foreva eva. H.E.R is speaking as her Sensitive self to her significant other and she's telling him about the potential hurt or "Damage" he can do to her. the song is timeless and her sample of Janet Jackson's "Making Love in the Rain" is great stuff! I would be all crazy with this winning here if the next song didn't drop.

1. "Pick Up Your Feelings" by Jazmine Sullivan

BET / Via giphy.com

2021 was the resurgence of Jazmine Sullivan. "Pick Up Your Feelings" will be the song to solidify her as one of the best vocalists of our time. Even as a man, I listen to this song and when it ends, I realize men are trash. The concept of this song is more creative than the other songs in this category. Even if "Pick Up Your Feelings' wasn't nominated and "Sit on It" was instead, Jasmine would still win this award.

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Grammy Description: For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.

5. "Born Again" by Leon Bridges Featuring Robert Glasper

Columbia Records / Via giphy.com

The Trumpet solo might be my favorite part of this chune. Powerful lyrics and Glasper's magic hands on the keyboards make this song beautiful. Leon Bridges knows how to do anything, he knows how to make a beautiful song that makes you reflect on life.

4. "I Need You" by Jon Batiste

Verve Records / Via giphy.com

The beginning keys of this song remind me of the church on a Sunday morning. The song should be added to your uplifting, positive vibes playlist. The black joy this song provides does something for me spiritually.

3. "Fight For You" by H.E.R.

CBS / Via giphy.com

This song was the perfect lead track for the Judas and The Black Messiah. This song already won the Best Original song last year at the Academy Awards and should be favored here as well. There are songs in this category that sonically is better and should be awarded despite not having the impact this one have. This song should seriously be considered for song of the year but for this category, we will put it in the middle of the pack.

2. "How Much Can A Heart Take" by Lucky Daye Featuring Yebba

BET / Via giphy.com

Table of Two is my pick for Best Progressive R&B Album and this song is a great reason why. Yebba's vocals can not be real on this. She made this song hers and have a certain conviction doing it that's unruly. Then, Lucky Daye hops on this track and gives us the answer to the song title so beautifully. In the song, Lucky getting his pockets "dented" by his woman while still in these streets acting a fool is such a wild experience listening to.

This song is fun just like Table of Two is. Lucky Daye should be walking out with two Grammys this year.

1. "Bring It On Home To Me" by BJ The Chicago Kid, PJ Morton & Kenyon Dixon Featuring Charlie Bereal

White House / Via giphy.com

This rendition of Sam Cooke's version is deserving of the Grammy win here. There are not many times when someone can not give an older song from a classic artist its justice but that's what is done here. Would love to see more renditions or covers with a twist in 2022 from BJ the Chicago Kid.

Best R&B Album

Grammy Description: For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.

5. "Back Of My Mind" by H.E.R.

CBS / Via giphy.com

This album contained BOPS. "Slide" and "Come Through" are great tracks that will be timeless. I wished more of the songs on the tape matched the quality of the singles but this tape is still a great listen. As we know by now, Ballads are H.E.R calling cards and there are plenty on this album to go listen to.

4. "Gold-Diggers Sound" by Leon Bridges

Colombia Records / Via giphy.com

The perfect word for this album is "Seductive." This tape is what people wish the Silk Sonic tape sounded like. The album is more R&B than expected from Bridges but he didn't stray fully away from his classic sound. The soft sensualness this tape brings followed by the Jazzy inspiration behind it makes it a must-listen if you haven't.

3. "We Are" by Jon Batiste

CBS / Via giphy.com

Jon Batiste has the honor of having received the most nominations in this year's Grammys. Rightfully so, creating an autobiographical tape while being the musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an impressive feat. The sequencing of this album is what makes it stand out.

We see that perfectly in the Song "Cry" being followed up by "I Need You." One is a song about getting over the somber things that have happened in America in 2020 followed by the other being a pop version of the song as a tune to get you to dance or do something enjoyable to take your mind off what was said prior. The album is great and Jon should be walking away with plenty of Grammys on Sunday.

2. "Temporary Highs" In The Violet Skies by Snoh Aalegra

BET / Via giphy.com

When "Indecisive" is first played on the album and you hear the chipmunk sound followed by a crazy 808 to back up the slow tempo to Snoh singing some of the most nonchalant lyrics I heard all 2021.. it made me excited to listen to the album. This album has an ethereal vibe about it that you don't get in R&B albums all the time. Great features from Tyler, The Creator, and James Fauntleroy doesn't hurt either. This album is easy to listen to also it has me begging for more Snoh/Neptunes collabs in the future.

1. "Heaux Tales" by Jazmine Sullivan

BET / Via giphy.com

"Heaux Tales" is another banger in the discography of Jazmine Sullivan and the story she's telling is worthy of this Grammy. The way she talks about sex, heartbreak, and love makes me want to make sure I'm being a better man for the women in my life. "Girl Like Me", "On It" and "Put It Down" are 3 different tracks that each highlight the three things I said above perfectly. April 3rd will be Jazmine Sullivan's Appreciation Night.

Best R&B Song

Grammy Description: A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

5. "Heartbreak Anniversary" by Giveon Evans, Maneesh, Sevn Thomas & Varren Wade, songwriters (Giveon)

ABC / Via giphy.com

The moment I knew this song was here to stay was when I was on 6th street in Austin, Texas and the DJ dropped this song at a lively club, and in minutes mood changed to everyone singing their heart out ready to find a loved one and out these streets. This song does what Giveon wants it to do and is worthy of winning here. Unfortunately, this is the most stacked category in this year's Grammys but Giveon will be back here in the years coming up and will have several Grammy awards in his name.

4. "Good Days" by Jacob Collier, Carter Lang, Carlos Munoz, Solána Rowe & Christopher Ruelas, songwriters (SZA)

RCA Records / Via giphy.com

I don't even feel right putting this song right here. This song is therapy, tbh. As a country, we have been through so much in the past two years and this song lets me know that "it's ok, good days are truly coming if we believe they are." The psychedelic of this song stands out, despite her pronunciation being hard for some fans to understand, her lyrics are amazing here and the place this song put me in is what truly makes it great.

3. "Leave The Door Open" by Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)

Atlantic Records / Via giphy.com

If we're talking about songwriting, this is the song to talk about. This song was well-written and well-produced by everyone who touched it. "The look too good to be alone" bar is a daily affirmation for a young handsome guy like myself. The pairing of these two artists musically is must be what it feels like when you found your person in the spiritual realm.

2. "Pick Up Your Feelings" by Denisia “Blue June” Andrews, Audra Mae Butts, Kyle Coleman, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Michael Holmes & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)

BET / Via giphy.com

Again, you know what time it is. Jazmine was deep in the Telfar on this song and if she does not take home at least two or three Grammys, the Academy Awards will have created supervillain origin stories in R&B fans across the globe. Watch and see. This song is amazing and I can write for days about how great this song is but when it comes to the BEST, one other song edges it out for me.

1. "Damage" by Anthony Clemons Jr., Jeff Gitelman, H.E.R., Carl McCormick & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

CBS / Via giphy.com

H.E.R put her heart into this record and should respectfully get what it deserves. It was a point in writing this that I considered every song in this category the best R&B song but this was the one that kept levitating to first. This was H.E.R's highest-charting solo song for good reason. In 10 years, we will be talking about all five songs in this category and reminded of how bomb each five were. This is the safest bet to put as the Best R&B song in the 2022 Grammys and my winner for the award.

Thoughts? Opinions?

What do you think? if you don't comment after reading this, I'm inclined to think you are a hater. (jk)