Grammy Predictions: fun.? Frank Ocean? Black Keys?

FILE - This Nov. 17, 2011, file photo, shows musician Frank Ocean at the 16th annual GQ "Men of the Year" party in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

By MESFIN FEKADU and CHRIS TALBOTT

AP Music Writers / February 5, 2013

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TALBOTT: One of the more surprising things about this year’s list was that Bruce Springsteen didn’t get more nominations for the well-received album ‘‘Wrecking Ball’’ and its anthemic theme song. ‘‘Hold On’’ is a powerful statement of identity and ‘‘Lonely Boy’’ might be the most copied song nominated Sunday night. But in this case The Boss is in charge.

FEKADU: The Boss? False. ‘‘Lonely Boy’’ wins here.

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R&B SONG: ‘‘Adorn,’’ Miguel; ‘‘Beautiful Surprise,’’ Tamia; ‘‘Heart Attack,’’ Trey Songz; ‘‘Pray for Me,’’ Anthony Hamilton; ‘‘Refill,’’ Elle Varner.

FEKADU: Miguel: Congrats on your first Grammy win! Elle, Tamia, Anthony: Congrats on your nominations! Trey: Maybe it’s time to step outside the box.

TALBOTT: Imagine how much we'd be talking about Miguel if Frank Ocean wasn’t currently stealing the night. Ocean may be reshaping the face of R&B, but Miguel’s carrying a chisel, too.

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RAP ALBUM: ‘‘Take Care,’’ Drake; ‘‘Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1,’’ Lupe Fiasco; ‘‘Life Is Good,’’ Nas; ‘‘Undun,’’ The Roots; ‘‘God Forgives, I Don't,’’ Rick Ross; ‘‘Based on a T.R.U. Story,’’ 2 Chainz.

TALBOTT: With all due respect to Nas, this should be Drake’s trophy. Remember back to the halcyon days of late 2011 when ‘‘Take Care’’ ruled with its blend of world-beating swagger and knowing self-awareness? Probably not, and there’s a good chance voters won’t either (only three nominations? Really?). Newer albums always have the advantage, so we’re going to predict Nas wins here ... and anxiously await that new single from Drake.

FEKADU: We need to put you in a hip-hop 101 class. Drake over Nas by choice? I can’t even deal. You are right about one thing though — Nas wins here. And he should.

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COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMNCE: ‘‘Home,’’ Dierks Bentley; ‘‘Springsteen,’’ Eric Church; ‘‘Cost of Livin’,’’ Ronnie Dunn; ‘‘Wanted,’’ Hunter Hayes; ‘‘Over,’’ Blake Shelton; ‘‘Blown Away,’’ Carrie Underwood.

FEKADU: A country song about Bruce Springsteen? Yeah, you win Eric Church.

TALBOTT: Hey, now, wait a minute, don’t go handing that trophy away so easily ... just kiddin'. That’s pretty unassailable logic. I wonder if Church will wear his sunglasses onstage? That'd be pretty boss.

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Online:

http://www.grammy.com

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Follow Mesfin Fekadu on Twitter at twitter.com/MusicMesfin and Chris Talbott at twitter.com/Chris_Talbott