GRAMMY CHEW: THE FUTURE OF GRAMMY IS (MOSTLY) FEMALE

We expect women to dominate the top Grammy categories when the noms come out. That’s not to say several talented male artists won’t make the cut (and we’ll be dealing with many of these in a separate article), but look for a preponderance of women to populate the Big 4.

In addition to established superstars like Taylor, Bey and Billie—all of whom dropped big albums with top-streaming songs—the last year has been dominated by relative newcomers Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, both of whom broke into the front ranks of music and culture in 2024. The same can be said for Charli xcx, whose BRAT was such a widespread meme that the mere color of its cover art was sufficient to indicate it.

It’s virtually impossible to separate this chorus of women’s voices from the political landscape, given that the U.S. may well elect its first woman president in a few weeks and women voters, post-Dobbs, are driving the electoral narrative. Tay and Billie made headlines recently by endorsing Kamala Harris, while Charli shook up the socials weeks earlier by declaring, “Kamala IS Brat.” (Donald Trump, enraged by Taylor’s post-debate endorsement of his rival, posted “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,” no doubt further energizing Swifties for Harris.)

Clockwise from top left: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, KAROL G, Charli xcx, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter

Top of Mind

La Swift’s THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT held the #1 spot on the charts for 15 nonconsecutive weeks and would seem a lock for an AOTY nom, while her “Fortnight” f/Post Malone stands a fair chance of contending for ROTY and/or SOTY. She won Album last year, of course, as well as in 2020. Whether or not it’ll be her year again, it’s not exactly a long shot that she’ll figure prominently in the noms.

Despite being the winningest Grammy winner of all time with 32 trophies, Beyoncé has, incredibly, yet to be rewarded with AOTY hardware. Even so, her COWBOY CARTER looks like a lock to earn a nom and be considered a key contender—especially if Grammy is inclined to make a point about the diversification of country. Her “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” also seems like a natural to be dealt onto the ROTY short list.

It’s been a terrific year for nine-time Grammy winner Eilish, who made a big creative and commercial leap with her set HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, several songs from which have been DSP giants. It would be shocking if she didn’t earn an AOTY nom for the set, while “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” looks like a top contender for ROTY and/or SOTY. Billie’s coming out and thoughtful political messaging may further motivate Grammy love.

Carpenter, meanwhile, is one of two extraordinary female breakout stories from one label, the on-fire Island. After flying into the top ranks with “Espresso” and staying there, the charismatic pop diva followed up with the equally giant “Please Please Please” before dropping her album, Short n’ Sweet, which has peppered the DSP charts with more huge tracks. Will she land in every Big 4 category?

And then there’s Chappell Roan, Island’s other newly giant act. The wildly original, joyously queer Roan quickly became a phenomenon thanks to breakthrough single “Good Luck, Babe!” and a series of galvanizing festival appearances that confirmed a true star had arrived. The biz considers her the frontrunner for BNA, and she could well make her way into the ROTY/SOTY mix (with “Babe!”) as well as album for The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.

Atlantic’s dynamic Brit Charli xcx was already making a splash with her BRAT set—a blazing return to form—when her Kamala post lit up the socials; a duet with Eilish, “Guess,” further amped up her visibility. In addition to BRAT for AOTY, could her bouncy electro-pop smash “360” make the ROTY/SOTY rolls?

Interscope’s KAROL G had a dynamite year, killing it with big streams and provoking chatter with her live presentation. If Grammy is prepared to find presenters who can pronounce Spanish-language titles, her “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” could make ROTY or SOTY.

Clockwise from top left: Ariana Grande, SZA, Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Gracie Abrams, Kacey Musgraves,
Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Nicki Minaj, Dasha, Muni Long, Lainey Wilson, GloRilla, Renée Rapp

Other Buzzing Women

Ariana Grande: With Wicked about to put her front and center, Republic’s stalwart diva could prime the pump with an album nod for the winsome eternal sunshine or a ROTY or SOTY nod for “we can’t be friends (wait for your love).”

SZA: While the TDE/RCA superstar got major recognition last time around and doesn’t have an album in contention, her “Saturn” was definitely a factor on the musical landscape and will likely get a look for ROTY and/or SOTY.

Lady Gaga: Interscope’s force of nature is also getting a giant look with a movie (the new Joker entry). But she’s already getting some ROTY buzz for “Die With a Smile,” her smash duet with Bruno Mars.

Tate McRae: A potent contender among new-school pop acts, RCA’s McRae made a splash with huge single “greedy” and showed the range of her ability with new album it’s ok I’m ok. Could she cut through the noise?

Gracie Abrams: The Interscope singer-songwriter’s album The Secret of Us earned plenty of admirers, as did the possible ROTY/SOTY contenders “Close to You” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry.”

Kacey Musgraves: UMG Nashville/Interscope’s Americana marvel delivered another gorgeous set with Deeper Well; could that album and its title track make some short lists?

Megan Moroney: Sony Nashville/Columbia’s country arrival truly came into her own with Am I Okay? That album and/or its title track could earn some top-tier love.

Reneé Rapp: Coming off the acclaimed Snow Angel and the ST for Mean Girls (in which she starred), could Interscope’s charismatic Rapp land a BNA spot?

GloRilla: CMG/Interscope’s rap queen has shown real resilience; her “TGIF” and album Ehhthang, Ehhthang are buzzing seriously as contenders in the rap categories. Could she get some top-category recognition?

Lainey Wilson: The Broken Bow country phenom kicked it up a notch with her Whirlwind set, which Nashville enthusiasts are touting for AOTY, while “4x4xU” and her Twisters tune, “Out of OK,” are also on the radar.

Muni Long: Def Jam’s ace R&B songwriter-vocalist was a BNA nominee and could well get some ROTY attention for the stellar live rendition of her hit “Made for Me.”

Dasha: The Warner phenom conjured a genuine viral moment with “Austin,” which was propelled by dance-craze action on TikTok. Could she scoot her boots to the Big 4?

Nicki Minaj: Young Money/Republic’s hip-hop hitter has had bad blood with Grammyland, but that hasn’t silenced chatter about her Pink Friday 2 and single “Everybody.” Could she finally get her flowers this time?

Miranda Lambert: Vanner/Republic’s country star has entered a new career chapter and remains a potent storyteller. Her “Wranglers” and album Postcards From Texas occasioned quite a buzz in Nashville; could they land a berth in the crowded top categories?

Also in the Conversation: The Last Dinner Party, Sexyy Red, Tyla, The Marías, The Warning, Meghan Trainor

Up next: The men.

PHOTO CREDITS: John Esparza (Lady Gaga); CeCe Dawson (Megan Moroney); James Macari (Miranda Lambert); Acacia Evans (Dasha); Eric Ryan Anderson (Lainey Wilson)