We’ve already told you that we expect women to dominate the top categories when the Grammy noms drop. But now it’s time to take a look at the male contenders who could figure prominently. As with the women, several potential BNA nominees could also appear in the Big 3, providing further evidence that new acts are an especially vibrant force in the marketplace.

MAJOR DUDES

Post Malone: With F-1 Trillion and its star-studded collabs, Mercury/Republic’s affable star has seamlessly become a force in country. Could he earn an AOTY look and possibly ROTY and/or SOTY love for “I Had Some Help,” his mega-duet with Morgan Wallen?

Chris Stapleton: Mercury Nashville’s crossover country luminary—and Grammy favorite—hit a fresh peak with album Higher, which further refined his gorgeous blend of rural twang and soulful intensity. Will he vie for top-tier hardware this time around?

Kendrick Lamar: The pgLang/Interscope rap superstar absolutely crushed in all metrics with the searing “Not Like Us,” which stands a better chance than any other rap song of a top-tier nom.

Hozier: It’s a smart bet that Columbia’s Irish troubadour will be recognized for “Too Sweet,” a pop-rock gem and streaming juggernaut that marks his first big hit since “Take Me to Church” ruled the charts a decade ago. Could he also get a nom for his Unreal Unearth: Unaired album?

Travis Scott: The Cactus Jack/Epic rapper had an outstanding year with his top-streaming UTOPIA album and incredible touring numbers, underscoring that he remains one of hip-hop’s most consistent and bankable acts. Will he be recognized for it?

Luke Combs: The River House/Columbia Nashville star and trophy magnet is bigger than country now, and his Fathers & Sons is the kind of mature, emotionally potent statement Grammy loves to commemorate. Meanwhile, his Twisters song, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” has also made a strong impression.

Future and Metro Boomin: The hip-hop trailblazers scored with two enormous collabs, We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You (via Freebandz/Epic and Republic), which were among the few hip-hop projects to enjoy extended stays in the upper registers of the charts. Will Grammy entrust them with some noms?

Jelly Roll: Broken Bow/Republic’s face-tatted man-mountain is a force of nature. After last year’s BNA and other noms, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him earn ROTY/SOTY attention for the powerful “I Am Not Okay.”

Eminem: The Shady/Aftermath/Interscope rap god’s The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) was a strong chart performer and a demonstration of his undaunted prowess more than a quarter-century into his career, and “Houdini” was huge. Will his typically irreverent work turn up in the top categories?

Jack Harlow: The Atlantic rapper had a chart biggie with “Lovin on Me,” a lighthearted sex jam that underscored his raffish charm. Could it find its way into Grammy’s heart for a ROTY look?

André 3000: The Outkast alumnus may be a true longshot for AOTY, but his wildly experimental New Blue Sun (Epic) got a ton of love from critics and fans and showed an artist still very much following his own muse. Could he be a surprise contender?

THE BNA BROs

Benson Boone: Warner’s singer-songwriter has been a chart perennial thanks to “Beautiful Things,” a soaring pop-rock track that looks likely to be a ROTY nominee. He’s also emerged as a compelling live act.

Teddy Swims: Boone’s labelmate also had a giant hit— the DSP monster “Lose Control”—that could get a ROTY or SOTY nod, and his raspy, soulful sound (think a more urbanite Chris Stapleton) would appear to be catnip for Grammy world.

Shaboozey: You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger cut from the last year than “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” the country singalong (and possible ROTY contender) from this EMPIRE artist, who stepped into the spotlight as a guest on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER. Grammy will likely want to foreground his diversification of country.

Tommy Richman: “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” has lingered on the DSP charts since its arrival, and the ISO Supremacy/PULSE rookie’s brand of alternative R&B/rap clearly resonates. Could he and his smash end up vying for top prizes?

The Red Clay Strays: RCA’s rootsy rock band has won over big crowds with its throwback vibe, and lead singer Brandon Coleman is an incredibly charismatic frontman. Their “Wanna Be Loved” could also get some big love when the noms break.

Central Cee: As the first U.K. rapper to really make a Stateside noise in the DSP era, Columbia’s witty, gritty Cee is a true arrival, and “BAND4BAND,” his collaboration with Lil Baby, could also be a contender.

Also in the Conversation

21 Savage, Nate Smith, J. Cole, Childish Gambino, James Bay, Black Pumas, Jacob Collier

Legacy Love

Might Grammy honor some legendary acts for decades of service? The Rolling Stones dropped their first album of new material since 2005 with the well-received Hackney Diamonds; there was a new Beatles song, “Now and Then,” as AI helped spiff up an old John Lennon cassette demo; and Stevie Wonder gave us the yearning “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?” Pearl Jam, working with producer Andrew Watt, earned much acclaim for their fiery return to form Dark Matter, while PJ singer Eddie Vedder’s inventive cover of “Save It for Later” got a great sync on The Bear. There was also new music from U2, Bon Jovi and The Black Crowes that could find its way into the foreground.

GRAMMY CHEWS:

PHOTOS:

Top, clockwise from top left: Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton, Future and Metro Boomin, Eminem, André 3000, Jack Harlow, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Travis Scott, Hozier
Bottom, clockwise from top left: Benson Boone; Teddy Swims, Tommy Richman, Central Cee, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, The Black Crowes, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey