THE GRAMMY CHEW: MULLING THE MULTIPLES

In our previous Chew, we ruminated over contenders for Album of the Year. This time we explore which of the contenders for that prize could and should be up for multiple top-tier nominations. We’re talking some combination of Album, Song, Record and/or Best New Artist, depending on the act. Which means strong AOTY contenders like Beyoncé’s Homecoming, A Star Is Born and Eric Church don’t factor into this “multiple” meditation.

THE FAVORITES

Billie Eilish: We start with this phenom because she’s the odds-on favorite for a nominations sweep—her album is a lock for AOTY, and it would be astonishing if she didn’t get a BNA nod. Her “bad guy,” meanwhile, is a bona fide smash by all metrics, so it would make sense for the cut to make the Song and Record categories.

Ariana Grande: As we’ve previously noted, Ari has had a remarkable year by any measure, and her album should make the cut—meanwhile, several smashes are strong contenders for Song/Record, notably “7 rings” and “thank u, next.”

Taylor Swift: We expect that whatever weirdness transpired in the wake of reputation is over—Lover is a widely admired hit and should be a lock for an album nod. Will its heavy-streaming title track make the Song/Record shortlist? Could another song from the set steal the spotlight?

Khalid: Another artist who’s had an extraordinary year and really hasn’t put a foot wrong. Album, Song and Record nods (likely for the monster “Talk”) look all but certain. The well-liked star’s El Paso benefit will only cultivate more good will in Grammy circles.

Lizzo: There’s some controversy about this breakout star’s eligibility for BNA, as she’s released more than the 30 tracks that are supposed to be a cutoff, but the committees have much latitude regarding enforcement, as we’ve seen before. And she’s still a virtual lock for Album and a strong contender for ROTY/SOTY (with “Truth Hurts”).

Lewis Capaldi: The Scottish troubadour is deservedly getting more mileage out of a ballad (“Someone You Loved”) than anyone in recent memory; his strong album is very much in play and his presence and playful persona signal a true arrival. He’s a threat in all four top categories.

THE WILD CARDS

Tyler, The Creator: With a hit album that pushed the creative envelope and a song (“Earfquake”) that moved the needle, Tyler is certainly on the radar for AOTY, ROTY and SOTY. Will Grammy voters tune into his frequency?

Lil Nas X: Album is a long shot for this record-breaking phenom (who’s only dropped an EP so far), but if he doesn’t land in BNA, Song and Record, we might as well quit and go fishing. Expect “Old Town Road” to be a “Grammy moment” on steroids.

Jonas Brothers: In a crowded field, Album might be a long shot for the resurgent siblings, but there’s little doubt that “Sucker” makes the cut for ROTY/SOTY. Don’t underestimate the trio’s hold on fans.

Maggie Rogers: This young singer/songwriter is, as we’ve noted before, right in the sweet spot for Grammy voters in terms of both style and substance. She has a definite shot not only for BNA but all top categories, with “Light On” a contender for ROTY/SOTY.

Maren Morris: This Nashville singer/songwriter has already had one mainstream giant, and she’s getting some crossover traction again with “The Bones,” off her recent full-length, GIRL; if a country artist makes noise on the top tier, she’s an odds-on favorite to be the one.

Lana Del Rey: Reviews have been off the hook for her album, which dropped right before the eligibility cutoff, which makes her a last-minute long shot—could one or more of her thoughtful new songs break through as well?