While everyone expected Ed Sheeran and Kesha to loom large over the Grammy nominations for 2018, voters went out into left field for the most surprising set of names in recent memory. Rather than go full-on mainstream, they decided to pile nods on Jay-Z, rapper Childish Gambino and Luis Fonsi, the man behind the worldwide smash “Despacito.”
Jay-Z’s 4:44 -- an answer to wife Beyonce’s Lemonade album -- helped propel him to a leading eight nominations, while Kendrick Lamar notched seven. Bruno Mars found that all that’s gold does glitter -- thanks to the six nominations generated by his hit 24K Magic album.
The biggest surprise came from Childish Gambino -- also known as Emmy-winning actor Donald Glover -- who took down five noms, including Record of the Year for the single “Redbone.” He’ll compete with Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” which became the first non-English language song to gain mentions for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
For Best New Artist, voters will choose from Alessia Cara, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels and SZA.
And in case you were wondering, neither Taylor Swift’s massive Reputation album nor any of its singles were eligible for consideration; they were all released after the cutoff point for the year. But watch out in 2019.
The Grammys will air live on CBS on January 28th.
Song of the Year
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with Justin Bieber: “Despacito”
Jay-Z: “4:44:
Logic - "1-800-273-8255”
Julia Michaels: “Issues”
Bruno Mars: “That’s What I Like”
Record of the Year
Childish Gambino: “Redbone”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with Justin Bieber: “Despacito”
Jay-Z - “Story of O.J.”
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble”
Bruno Mars: “24K Magic”
Album of the Year
Childish Gambino – Awaken My Love
Jay-Z: 4:44
Kendrick Lamar – Damn
Lorde – Melodrama
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
Best Pop Solo Performance
Kelly Clarkson – “Love So Soft”
Kesha – “Praying:
Lady Gaga – “Million Reasons”
Pink – “What About Us”
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”
Best Pop Duo or Group Performance
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – “Something Just Like This”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
Imagine Dragons – “Thunder”
Portugal, the Man – “Feel It Still”
Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay”
Coldplay - Kaleidoscope EP
Lana Del Rey – Lust For Life
Imagine Dragons – Evolve
Kesha – Rainbow
Lady Gaga - Joanne
Ed Sheeran - Divide
Best New Artist
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA