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With the 2025 Grammys swiftly approaching, it’s time for final predictions.
It feels like a particularly high-profile Grammy season: Charli XCX, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter are all expected to be in attendance. In addition to Roan, Eilish, Carpenter, and Charli, who are all confirmed as performers, Raye, Doechii, Shakira, Benson Boone, and Teddy Swims are set to take the stage.
As we close in on the 67th Grammy Awards, we’ve rallied three distinct perspectives for final predictions: R&B artist and voting member of the Recording Academy Shae Universe, a professional betting expert (James Leyfield of Casinos.com), and me, your local Consequence writer. We’ve all shared our predictions for some of the biggest categories below.
The 2025 Grammy Awards will broadcast on CBS and stream live on Paramount+ beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. This year’s show will double as a fundraiser to support Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts. This weekend, stay close for our ongoing Grammys coverage here. Plus, spend some time with Shae Universe’s latest, the warm Love Letter (stream it here).
Album of the Year
James’ Prediction: Billie Eilish — HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
This is likely to be between Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, but Eilish will pip Swift to the prize. Taylor is aiming for consecutive Album of the Year victories, but an artist hasn’t won back-to-back in the category in more than 50 years. Beyoncé has never won Album of the Year — expect that to continue this year with Cowboy Carter missing out, too.
Mary’s Prediction: Charli XCX — BRAT
Maybe I’m too online or maybe I’m just still clinging to the final dregs of the 365 party girl moment, but it feels like Charli XCX could take the top prize this weekend for her culture-dominating BRAT. When nominations rolled out, the definitive album of the summer was once again the center of the conversation, proving that the pop artist’s staying power extended long beyond the change in the weather.
Shae’s Prediction: Beyoncé — COWBOY CARTER
I think COWBOY CARTER will win Album of the Year. Well…it’s Beyoncé!
Record of the Year
James’ Prediction: Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso”
Sabrina Carpenter will say “Hello, Goodbye” to The Beatles in this category and claim victory for her hit “Espresso.” The legendary band’s “Now and Then” is in contention, but Carpenter produced one of the biggest hits of 2024. Eilish should be her biggest competition, but it’s unlikely she’ll win both Album and Record of the Year. And 2025 doesn’t look like Bey-ing Beyoncé’s year in the category either.
Mary’s Prediction: Billie Eilish — “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
While I’d be thrilled to see Chappell Roan take it for “Good Luck, Babe!,” I have a feeling Billie will head home with the hardware here. She’s a Recording Academy darling through and through (nine statues to her name at age 23) and has won in this category before. Don’t count out Taylor Swift, though, even though “Fortnight” with Post Malone didn’t have as big of a moment as some of the other tracks in this category; 2024 was another enormous year for Taylor, and that momentum alone could be enough to carry her to victory in a few categories.
Shae’s Prediction: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
My pick is “Not Like Us.” Cultural impact doesn’t lie.
Song of the Year
James’ Prediction: Billie Eilish — “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
It’s the year of the Eilish. Billie will swoop into the Grammys and take home this gong for her track “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.” The category differs from Record of the Year in that it celebrates songwriters rather than artists, so she should see off the likes of Carpenter, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar. Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” will go close though.
Mary’s Prediction: Billie Eilish — “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Billie is only the second artist in Grammys history to sweep the “big four” categories in their career: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Consistency between this category and Record of the Year wouldn’t come as a surprise to me at all.
Shae’s Prediction: Billie Eilish — “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
I think Billie Eilish will get Song of the Year for “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” because of how this track dominated TikTok and social media last year. It was stuck in everyone’s head.
Best New Artist
James’ Prediction: Chappell Roan
Early congratulations go to Chappell Roan. It’s not an easy category with the likes of Carpenter, RAYE, and Teddy Swims all in contention, but Roan ensured millions of people were preaching at her Chappell by the end of 2024.She started off with a cult following and now has a mainstream one. Carpenter will be her biggest competition.
Mary’s Prediction: Doechii
While I would be so excited to see this category go to so many of the nominees here (particularly RAYE, who I believe is a uniquely refreshing talent), Doechii’s campaign was a remarkable effort. She rolled out some truly eye-catching visuals and live performances to capitalize on the moment, pushing “DENIAL IS A RIVER” to the center of the conversation. Sure, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter’s name on the envelope, but after the Academy pleasantly surprised us with Victoria Monét’s win last year, anything is possible.
Shae’s Prediction: Doechii
Doechii is definitely getting Best New Artist. She stormed the scene in such an unforgettable way last year.
Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
James’ Prediction: Daniel Nigro
Daniel Nigro has worked wonders with the likes of Carpenter and Roan, as well as Olivia Rodrigo. Mustard might have something to say about this after producing Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” but Nigro will be tough to overcome.
Mary’s Prediction: Daniel Nigro
I’m with James on this one — I absolutely see Daniel Nigro taking the win for Producer of the Year. The story around his work with Chappell Roan is particularly satisfying; he saw the vision and potential in her music and helped realize her vision. The rest is history. I can see members of the Recording Academy being charmed by the narrative, too.
Shae’s Prediction: D’Mile
D’Mile is a long-time legend. Him winning in this category would only be right!
Best Rock Album
James’ Prediction: Green Day — SAVIORS
I don’t envy the Recording Academy picking a winner in this category. Green Day’s Saviors is the favorite to scoop this gong, but Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter can upset the odds and land the band a hat-trick of Grammy Awards. The Rolling Stones’ incredible comeback record Hackney Diamonds will also be in the mix, as will Jack White’s No Name.
Mary’s Prediction: Jack White — No Name
If we are going based off of our 50 Best Albums of 2024 list alone, the category should go to Jack White for No Name, which we named the sixth-best album of the year. However, Pearl Jam and Fontaines D.C. both stayed in the conversation this year, while Green Day captured collective political frustration. Let’s call it a toss-up with a hopeful bet on Jack.
Shae’s Prediction: Green Day — SAVIORS
I think Green Day will win this one.
Best Alternative Music Album
James’ Prediction: St. Vincent — All Born Screaming
St. Vincent has a 75% Grammys success rate after taking home three of the four gongs she’s been nominated for. She will secure victory again in 2025 thanks to the raw and complex All Born Screaming, which has taken her overall Grammy nods to eight. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ Wild God will be a strong contender.
Mary’s Prediction: St. Vincent — All Born Screaming
St. Vincent won in this very category back in 2015 for her self-titled debut album, and there’s a strong chance she could repeat the feat here, a decade later. While Nick Cave is a unique talent and Brittany Howard seems to be in constant reinvention, All Born Screaming feels like the likely choice here. Does that classify as Clairo shade? I hope not.
Shae’s Prediction: St. Vincent — All Born Screaming
I choose St. Vincent’s All Born Screaming.
Best Rock Performance
James’ Prediction: Green Day — “The American Dream Is Killing Me”
Green Day have been there, done it, and taken home the 2008 Best Rock Performance prize — and they can repeat that feat 17 years on. Written in protest at Donald Trump’s presidency, the folk tune can overcome Pearl Jam’s “Dark Matter” and St. Vincent’s “Broken Man.” If Green Day do find one better, then that’s likely to be The Beatles’ “Now and Then.”
Mary’s Prediction: Green Day — “The American Dream Is Killing Me”
This is where I see Green Day taking the victory, as even just looking at the title “The American Dream Is Killing Me” invokes a wave of emotion. However, there are some serious heavy-hitters in this category…ever heard of this little band called The Beatles? This is a place where some members’ votes will go towards legacy and impact, surely, but how many remains to be seen.
Shae’s Prediction: James’ Prediction: Green Day — “The American Dream Is Killing Me”
I’m biased — I love them — but I’m choosing Green Day here, too.
Best Pop Vocal Album
James’ Prediction: Sabrina Carpenter — Short n’ Sweet
Best Pop Vocal Album could be one of the closely fought two-horse races at this year’s Grammys, and it’s Carpenter versus Roan once again. The Short n’ Sweet star should just about come out on top. Sabrina’s sixth studio album — featuring the likes of “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Bed Chem” — certainly left a sweet taste in the mouth, and it will see Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess come up short. It’s not unusual for the category to line up with the Album of the Year winner, but Eilish will miss out on this one.
Mary’s Prediction: Billie Eilish — HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
This is a frustrating category where many times the voters don’t always highlight the “vocal” part of the category; Ariana Grande losing the category for Dangerous Woman and thank u, next should be proof of that. With that being said, I don’t consider eternal sunshine anything close to the Wicked star’s best work, and could see this going to Billie Eilish. However, I’d be most excited to see Sabrina Carpenter scoop the victory here, as I consider her vocal performance a deeply underrated part of her artistic identity. She’s got the pipes, folks!
Shae’s Prediction: Sabrina Carpenter — Short n’ Sweet
Sabrina Carpenter is a pop sensation, a force to be reckoned with, and she dominated the pop scene last year. I’m almost 100% sure she’ll walk away with Best Pop Vocal Album.
Best Rap Song
James’ Prediction: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
The Recording Academy should just give him the prize now, because Kendrick Lamar is a shoo-in for Best Rap Song. He’s a serial Grammys winner when it comes to solo tunes, and this Drake diss track should be no different for the Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show headliner.
Mary’s Prediction: James’ Prediction: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
This doesn’t even feel like a question to me. Did any other song have the wingspan of “Not Like Us” in 2024? Everyone, and I mean everyone, was aware of this diss track. Kendrick’s power was inescapable.
Shae’s Prediction: James’ Prediction: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
Even months later, everyone goes crazy when “Not Like Us” comes on. Just goes to show how impactful this song was and why it’s most likely to win Best Rap Song.
Best Country Album
James’ Prediction: Beyoncé — COWBOY CARTER
The latest Grammys nods saw Beyoncé become the most-nominated artist in the history of the spectacle with 99 nominations. While she may miss out on prizes in some of the big categories, she will scoop Best Country Album for COWBOY CARTER. That’s if Chris Stapleton’s Higher doesn’t top Bey’s record.
“She’s got 99 nods, and a Best Country Album prize all but won” has a slight ring to it.
Mary’s Prediction: Beyoncé — COWBOY CARTER
As much as I deeply adore Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well, I do think this is the category where Beyoncé will win, and I’ll honestly be just as excited for it to happen. The landmark project from Queen Bey unraveled the genre and rebuilt it with so much imagination and care, and the result spoke for itself.
Shae’s Prediction: Beyoncé — COWBOY CARTER
Nobody did country better than Bey this year. That’s that on that!
Best R&B Song
James’ Prediction: SZA — “Saturn”
SZA took home Best R&B Song for “Snooze” last year, defeating Coco Jones’ “ICU,” and she will catch Jones napping again this year. The singer’s tune “Saturn” looks set to win this one, ahead of Jones’ “Here We Go,” But SZA’s main competition is likely to be Muni “Long’s Ruined Me.”
Mary’s Prediction: SZA — “Saturn”
In the year of so many artists singing about their Saturn returns (Kacey Musgraves and Ariana Grande included), it’s SZA who captured our collective imaginations the most. The members of the Recording Academy certainly recognize how special of a talent she is, as she already has four Grammys to her name.
Shae’s Prediction: Tems — “Burning”
Tems is a true queen. I think she will take Best R&B Song this year for “Burning” because she’s effortlessly pioneered her own unique space between afrobeats and R&B in a way that no one else is touching.
A Recording Academy Voter, Professional Oddsmaker, and Critic Predict Grammys Winners
Mary Siroky
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