In its 62nd year on air, the public has their eye on the Grammy’s. In the wake of a high-profile lawsuit by their former CEO exposing the Grammy’s as a “boys club,” citing alleged voting fraud, voting bias and sexual harassment among other things, all eyes are on whether tonight’s ceremony will continue to reflect these issues.

In the age of #MeToo, rampant racism, and an administration who only pours fuel on the fire, the public is tired of large, elitist organizations propping themselves us as the dictators of what art is “best” while continuously neglecting the work of marginalized people. Often, the old, rich, well-connected white men behind these decisions are completely out of touch with the breadth and depth of music being made out there by black, brown, queer, and woman-identifying artists.

This year, I decided to predict the winners for a few reasons. I believe it will continue to exist for a long time, and continue to be valued as a reflection of music credibility whether we like it or not. I want to understand more intimately how the committee awards each year, and consequently understand more pointedly what structures and patterns are at play in the voting room. Lastly, for the first time in a while, I am genuinely excited about many of the artists nominated, and want to share both what I think we’ll get, and what I wish we’d get if the Grammy’s truly stepped up their game and diversified the voices on the voting committee.

I decided to guess the major four categories, along with the Pop, R&B and Rap categories. With a whopping five to eight nominees per category, I have no idea how well I’ll fair, but I figured I would anyway!

I put two guesses for categories I felt a bit more unsure about, but ranked in order of certainty. Let’s get into it:

GENERAL CATEGORIES:

It’s the year of the newbies (and Ariana Grande). I predict that Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Ariana Grande will dominate the big four. It’s a total toss up, but I feel strongly that Lil Nas X’s record breaking “Old Town Road” will snag ROTY. The song broke a record that Mariah and Boyz II Men established in 1994 (only to be matched in 2016 by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber’s “Despacito”). Lil Nas X is a powerhouse and “Old Town Road”’s cultural impact deserves recognition. For AOTY, Ariana almost undoubtedly will be recognized for her two albums in six months approach, as well as for capturing her very traumatic year quite honestly and vulnerably in a huge album with loaded with three of 2019’s biggest pop smashes. Lizzo has SOTY in the bag. As a songwriting award, SOTY is defined by “Truth Hurts.” Her unapologetic, self-loving anthem has truly dominated last year because of its lyrics, among many other factors including Lizzo’s raw talent, infectious energy, and hardwork. Lastly, I’m almost certain that BNA will go to a young, musically innovative, and original artist who most reflects of the current cultural and musical zeitgeist, —Billie Eilish.

Record of the Year:

What I Want: Old Town Road — Lil Nas X

What We’ll Get:
1. Old Town Road — Lil Nas X
2. Bad Guy — Billie Eilish

Album of the Year:

What I Want: Thank U, Next — Ariana Grande

What We’ll Get:
1. Thank U, Next — Ariana Grande
2. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? — Billie Eilish

Song of the Year:

What I Want: Truth Hurts — Lizzo

What We’ll Get:
1. Truth Hurts — Lizzo
2. Bad Guy — Billie Eilish

Best New Artist:

What I Want: Lil Nas X

What We’ll Get:
1. Billie Eillish
2. Maggie Rogers

POP:

Pop Solo Performance:

What I Want: Spirit — Beyoncé

What We’ll Get:
1. 7 Rings — Ariana Grande
2. Truth Hurts — Lizzo

Pop Duo/Group:

What I Want: Old Town Road — Lil Nas X

What We’ll Get:
1. Senorita — Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello
2. Old Town Road — Lil Nas X

Pop Vocal Album:

What I Want: WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? — Billie Eilish

What We’ll Get:
1. Thank U, Next
2. WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

R&B:

Best R&B Performance:

What I Want: Love Again — Daniel Caesar and Brandy

What We’ll Get:
1. Love Again — Daniel Caesar and Brandy
2. Exactly How I Feel — Lizzo feat. Gucci Mane

Best Traditional R&B Performance:

What I Want: Built For Love — PJ Morton feat. Jazmine Sullivan

What We’ll Get:
1. Jerome — Lizzo
2. Built For Love — PJ Morton feat. Jazmine Sullivan

Best R&B Song:

What I Want: Say So — PJ Morton feat. JoJo

What We’ll Get:
1. Could’ve Been — H.E.R feat Bryson Tiller
2. Say So — PJ Morton feat. JoJo

Best Urban Contemporary Album:

What I Want: Saturn — Nao

What We’ll Get:
1. Cuz I Love You — Lizzo

Best R&B Album:

What I Want: Paul — PJ Morton

What We’ll Get:
1. Ella Mai — Ella Mai
2. Paul — PJ Morton

RAP:

Best Rap Performance

What I Want: Suge — DaBaby

What We’ll Get:
1. Middle Child — J. Cole
2. Suge — DaBaby

Best Rap/Sung Performance:

What I Want: Ballin — Mustard feat. Roddy Ricch

What We’ll Get:
1. Higher — DJ Khaled feat. Nipsey Hussle and John Legend
2. Panini — Lil Nas X

Best Rap Song:

What I Want: Suge — DaBaby

What We’ll Get:
1. Racks in the Middle — Nipsey Hussle feat. Roddy Ricch
2. Suge — DaBaby

Best Rap Album:

What I Want: IGOR — Tyler, The Creator

What We’ll Get:
1. IGOR — Tyler, The Creator
2. Revenge of the Dreamers III — Dreamville