Grammy Nominations 2023: Beyoncé Leads With 9 Nods, Kendrick Lamar Follows With 8

 

“It would have been rather shocking had any of the albums by Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Adele and Brandi Carlile been omitted from this category, given the Recording Academy’s love of them (and the fact that they were the four most-nominated artists this year). Might this be Beyoncé’s chance to finally win album of the year?”

PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | NOVEMBER 16, 2022

Beyoncé landed nine Grammy Award nominations on Tuesday, the most of anybody in contention for the 2023 ceremony. That number puts the decorated singer at a total of 88 career nominations — the same as her husband, rapper Jay-Z, who landed five nods this time around. They are tied as the most-nominated artists in Grammys history.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar followed Beyoncé with eight nominations, while singers Adele and Brandi Carlile each snagged seven. A diverse group of artists earned six apiece: singer Mary J. Blige, rapper Future, pop star Harry Styles, rapper-producer DJ Khaled, songwriter Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant and engineer Randy Merill.

Beyoncé wasn’t the only artist to make history on Tuesday; superstar Bad Bunny landed an album of the year nomination for his chart-reigning “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which became the first all-Spanish-language album to ever appear in the coveted category.

The nominations ceremony, which featured performances by former Grammy winners Dan + Shay and Cyndi Lauper, celebrated even more music than normal, as the Recording Academy added five new categories this time around: songwriter of the year, nonclassical; best alternative music performance; best Americana performance; best spoken word poetry album; and best score soundtrack for video games.

But even with that widened playing field, it always feels as though there are a few glaring omissions when it comes to the Grammys. This year, one was intentional: In the lead-up to the 2023 nominations, Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak declared they would be withdrawing their album “An Evening with Silk Sonic” from the running, despite its lead single having won all four Grammys it was nominated for last year.

Also in true fashion, the nominations tapped into controversy: Among those nominated for best comedy album are Dave Chappelle, whose entry was decried as transphobic when the special premiered on Netflix, and Louis C.K., who admitted to sexual misconduct amid the resurgence of the #MeToo movement.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the top Grammys categories or click here for a full list of nominees. The 65th Grammy Awards, for which a host has not yet been announced, will air Sunday, Feb. 5 on CBS.

Album of the Year

“Voyage,” Abba

“30,” Adele

“Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny

“Renaissance,” Beyoncé

“Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe),” Mary J. Blige

“In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile

“Music of the Spheres,” Coldplay

“Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar

“Special,” Lizzo

“Harry’s House,” Harry Styles

It would have been rather shocking had any of the albums by Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Adele and Brandi Carlile been omitted from this category, given the Recording Academy’s love of them (and the fact that they were the four most-nominated artists this year). Might this be Beyoncé’s chance to finally win album of the year?

The big news here is Bad Bunny, whose “Un Verano Sin Ti” is the first all-Spanish-language album ever nominated for the ceremony’s biggest award. And it’s always a pleasure to see love for Mary J. Blige. Lizzo and Harry Styles fans will have much to gab about on the Internet today, as will Coldplay fans, wherever they tend to gather.

And how could we forget Abba, the Swedish supergroup who came out with a new album for the first time in 40 years? Welcome back, friends.

Record of the Year

“Don’t Shut Me Down,” Abba

“Easy On Me,” Adele

“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé

“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige

“You and Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile feat. Lucius

“Woman,” Doja Cat

“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy

“The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar

“About Damn Time,” Lizzo

“As It Was,” Harry Styles

And now, for the annual explanation of the difference between record and song of the year: The former relates to a specific recording and recognizes artists, producers and engineers; the latter honors the composition of a song, meaning its songwriters.

Record of the year also seems to be the category for songs that you could not escape if you spent any time in public (or on TikTok) over the past several months — but hey, they’re popular for a reason. Beyoncé broke the Internet while daring enemies to break her soul, while Adele went the opposite route and soothingly requested her loved ones go easy on her. Both relatable sentiments, as is Abba’s simple command.

Steve Lacy breaking through is a feat for the TikTok contingent (though he has been making fascinating music since he played in R&B band the Internet) as are the nominations for Doja Cat, Lizzo and Styles. It’s quite a tight race.

Song of the Year

“ABCDEFU,” Sara Davis, Gayle and Dave Pittenger (Gayle)

“About Damn Time,” Melissa “Lizzo” Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Blake Slatkin and Theron Makiel Thomas (Lizzo)

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film),” Liz Rose and Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)

“As It Was,” Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles (Harry Styles)

“Bad Habit,” Matthew Castellanos, Brittany Fousheé, Diana Gordon, John Carroll Kirby and Steve Lacy (Steve Lacy)

“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé, S. Carter, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant and Christopher A. Stewart (Beyoncé)

“Easy On Me,” Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin (Adele)

“God Did,” Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts and Nicholas Warwar (DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy)

“The Heart Part 5,” Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar and Matt Schaeffer (Kendrick Lamar)

“Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt (Bonnie Raitt)

The-Dream drew attention to the complexities of songwriting when he responded to Diane Warren’s tweets questioning why there were so many songwriters credited on the tracks from Beyoncé’s “Renaissance.” (The answer had to do with the number of samples and interpolations used throughout the album.) In the end, the Recording Academy recognized three songwriters for “Break My Soul,” including The-Dream.

There are some repeat nominees in this category from record of the year, though the differences might be more interesting to examine. Swifties will be pleased to see the 10-minute version of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” an extended version of one of her most popular songs. There’s a welcome bit of genre variance with the nominations for DJ Khaled’s absolutely stacked “God Did” and Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That.”

And for the aforementioned TikTok contingent, it’s time to debate the inclusion of “ABCDEFU.” Three, two, one …

Best New Artist

Anitta

Omar Apollo

DOMi and JD Beck

Muni Long

Samara Joy

Latto

Måneskin

Tobe Nwigwe

Molly Tuttle

Wet Leg

In most cases, the nominees for best new artist have been making music for years; the category is meant to recognize “a breakthrough into the public consciousness,” according to the Recording Academy. Billboard reported earlier this year that the new Grammys handbook suggests that voters consider the new artists’ performances for this nomination over their songwriting or the production value of their work.

There is quite a wide swath of artists represented here, whether British indie rockers Wet Leg, Italian rockers Måneskin, rapper Tobe Nwigwe or Molly Tuttle, the rare bluegrass musician to be recognized in such a prominent Grammys category.

There are also not one, but two nominees in the jazz space — singer Samara Joy and duo DOMi and JD Beck, the latter of whom have been described as child prodigies.

Best pop vocal album

“Voyage,” Abba

“30,” Adele

“Music of the Spheres,” Coldplay

“Special,” Lizzo

“Harry’s House,” Harry Styles

Best pop solo performance

“Easy On Me,” Adele

“Moscow Mule,” Bad Bunny

“Woman,” Doja Cat

“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy

“About Damn Time,” Lizzo

“As It Was,” Harry Styles

Best pop duo/group performance

“Don’t Shut Me Down,” Abba

“Bam Bam,” Camila Cabello feat. Ed Sheeran

“My Universe,” Coldplay and BTS

“I Like You (A Happier Song),” Post Malone and Doja Cat

“Unholy,” Sam Smith and Kim Petras

Best rap album

“God Did,” DJ Khaled

“I Never Liked You,” Future

“Come Home the Kids Miss You,” Jack Harlow

“Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar

“It’s Almost Dry,” Pusha T

Best rap song

“Churchill Downs,” Ace G, BEDRM, Matthew Samuels, Tahrence Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Jack Harlow and Jose Velazquez (Jack Harlow feat. Drake)

“God Did,” Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts and Nicholas Warwar (DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy)

“The Heart Part 5,” Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar and Matt Schaeffer (Kendrick Lamar)

“Pushin P,” Lucas Depante, Nayvadius Wilburn, Sergio Kitchens, Wesley Tyler Glass and Jeffery Lamar Williams (Gunna and Future feat. Young Thug)

“Wait For U,” Tejiri Akpoghene, Floyd E. Bentley III, Jacob Canady, Isaac De Boni, Aubrey Graham, Israel Ayomide Fowobaje, Nayvadius Wilburn, Michael Mule, Oluwatoroti Oke and Temilade Openiyi (Future feat. Drake and Tems)

Best melodic rap performance

“Beautiful,” DJ Khaled feat. Future and SZA

“Wait For U,” Future feat. Drake and Tems

“First Class,” Jack Harlow

“Die Hard,” Kendrick Lamar feat. Blxst and Amanda Reifer

“Big Energy (Live),” Latto

Best rap performance

“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy

“Vegas,” Doja Cat

“Pushin P,” Gunna and Future feat. Young Thug

“F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” Hitkidd and GloRilla

“The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar

Best rock album

“Dropout Boogie,” the Black Keys

“The Boy Named If,” Elvis Costello and the Imposters

“Crawler,” Idles

“Mainstream Sellout,” Machine Gun Kelly

“Patient Number 9,” Ozzy Osbourne

“Lucifer on the Sofa,” Spoon

Best rock song

“Black Summer,” Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

“Blackout,” Brady Ebert, Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory and Brendan Yates (Turnstile)

“Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth (Brandi Carlile)

“Harmonia’s Dream,” Robbie Bennett and Adam Granduciel (the War On Drugs)

“Patient Number 9,” John Osbourne, Chad Smith, Ali Tamposi, Robert Trujillo and Andrew Wotman (Ozzy Osbourne feat. Jeff Beck)

Best rock performance

“So Happy It Hurts,” Bryan Adams

“Old Man,” Beck

“Wild Child,” the Black Keys

“Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile

“Crawl!,” Idles

“Patient Number 9,” Ozzy Osbourne feat. Jeff Beck

“Holiday,” Turnstile

Best R ’n’ B album

“Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe),” Mary J. Blige

“Breezy (Deluxe),” Chris Brown

“Black Radio III,” Robert Glasper

“Candydrip,” Lucky Daye

“Watch the Sun,” PJ Morton

Best R ’n’ B song

“Cuff It,” Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Beyoncé, Mary Christine Brockert, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers and Raphael Saadiq (Beyoncé)

“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige, David Brown, Dernst Emile II, Gabriella Wilson and Tiara Thomas (Mary J. Blige)

“Hrs & Hrs,” Hamadi Aaabi, Dylan Graham, Priscilla Renea, Thaddis “Kuk” Harrell, Brandon John-Baptiste, Isaac Wriston and Justin Nathaniel Zim (Muni Long)

“Hurt Me So Good,” Akeel Henry, Michael Holmes, Luca Mauti, Jazmine Sullivan and Elliott Trent (Jazmine Sullivan)

“Please Don’t Walk Away,” PJ Morton (PJ Morton)

Best R ’n’ B performance

“Virgo’s Groove,” Beyoncé

“Here With Me,” Mary J. Blige feat. Anderson .Paak

“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long

“Over,” Lucky Daye

“Hurt Me So Good,” Jazmine Sullivan

Best alternative music album

“We,” Arcade Fire

“Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You,” Big Thief

“Fossora,” Björk

“Wet Leg,” Wet Leg

“Cool It Down,” Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Best country album

“Growin’ Up,” Luke Combs

“Palomino,” Miranda Lambert

“Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville,” Ashley McBryde

“Humble Quest,” Maren Morris

“A Beautiful Time,” Willie Nelson

Best country song

“Circles Around This Town,” Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, Maren Morris and Jimmy Robbins (Maren Morris)

“Doin’ This,” Luke Combs, Drew Parker and Robert Williford (Luke Combs)

“I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” Lori McKenna and Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)

“If I Was A Cowboy,” Jesse Frasure and Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert)

“I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die,” Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton (Willie Nelson)

“ ’Til You Can’t,” Matt Rogers and Ben Stennis (Cody Johnson)

Best Country Solo Performance

“Heartfirst,” Kelsea Ballerini

“Something in the Orange,” Zach Bryan

“In His Arms,” Miranda Lambert

“Circles Around This Town,” Maren Morris

“Live Forever,” Willie Nelson

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

“Wishful Drinking,” Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt

“Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” Brothers Osborne

“Outrunnin’ Your Memory,” Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert

“Does He Love You — Revisited,” Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton

“Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

“Going Where the Lonely Go,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Best Music Video

“Easy On Me,” Adele

“Yet to Come,” BTS

“Woman,” Doja Cat

“The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar

“As It Was,” Harry Styles

“All Too Well: The Short Film,” Taylor Swift

Best comedy album

“The Closer,” Dave Chappelle

“Comedy Monster,” Jim Gaffigan

“A Little Brains, A Little Talent,” Randy Rainbow

“Sorry,” Louis C.K.

“We All Scream,” Patton Oswalt

SOURCE: The Washington Post

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