Music’s biggest night is here – and competition is fierce. Nominees for top awards feature a diverse mix of industry powerhouses, overlooked underdogs and fresh faces with momentum on their side. Several artists have the chance to make history including Beyoncé, who may finally snag the Album of the Year title that has previously eluded her. BruinLife took a look at some of the most highly anticipated categories for the 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony, airing on Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. Here are our predictions:

Album of the Year

“BRAT” – Charli XCX

Did you have a brat summer? With seven nominations, including two in the “big three” categories, Charli XCX’s “BRAT” marks a true cultural phenomenon. With the bold cover art and chaotic club production, “BRAT” serves not just as an internet passing moment but a full-scale takeover, blasting both through club speakers and in political campaigns (even presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ HQ couldn’t resist). Sonically, the album is tight, punchy and effortlessly cool, with tracks like “Von Dutch” and “360” pulsing the album with its infectious energy, while tracks like “So I” and “Everything is romantic” add a vulnerable, introspective depth rarely seen in dance music. More than anything, “BRAT” solidified Charli’s long-overdue pop culture breakthrough after a decade of shaping the genre from the sidelines. The Grammys have a history of overlooking the true innovators of pop for this category, but this is their chance to get it right. – Patton Liu

“COWBOY CARTER” – Beyoncé

After a total of five nominations in the category, an Album of the Year win is long overdue for Beyoncé, the Grammys’ most-awarded artist of all time. Although “COWBOY CARTER” was released back in March 2024, it surged back to relevancy in December with the Christmas Day halftime special, the “Beyoncé Bowl.” “COWBOY CARTER” has a viral hit in “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” an inspired cover in the song “BLACKBIIRD,” featuring four Black female country singers and countless beautifully written original tracks. It features fellow industry icons Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, as well as Grammy-nominated newcomer Shaboozey. Beyoncé’s take on the Americana and country aesthetic remains socially relevant. Only three Black women have won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, the most recent being Lauryn Hill in 1999. In 2025, it would only make sense for living legend Beyoncé herself to take home the trophy. -Rebekah Field

Record of the Year

“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

In 2024, it was nearly impossible to avoid Sabrina Carpenter’s breakout hit “Espresso.” The undeniably catchy single won the MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year, and was labeled the song of the summer by countless listeners. It has amassed billions of streams and become an unforgettable moment in pop culture, featuring now-iconic lyrics like “I’m working late ‘cause I’m a singer” and “That’s that me espresso.” However, Carpenter chose to submit “Espresso” for Record of the Year and its follow-up single “Please Please Please” for Song of the Year. Between the two, it only makes sense for “Espresso” to take home one of the Grammys’ four major awards. Impeccably produced and beloved by many, “Espresso” will be rewarded for its impact on the year of 2024. -Rebekah Field

“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

In the rap world, 2024 was a year defined by the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but no song quite captured the moment like “Not Like Us.” More than just a diss track, it became a cultural anthem, blaring from cars, clubs and even Lakers games, turning a rivalry into a full-on celebration of West Coast culture. Featuring the signature DJ Mustard production, its infectious bounce and razor-sharp delivery made it impossible to ignore. Kendrick’s accusations against Drake—most notably calling him a “pedophile”—hit with an intensity that sent shockwaves through hip-hop. And then came the pop-out concert, a victory lap that felt like a coronation, with the entire city of L.A. rallying behind him. With “Not Like Us,” the Grammys have a chance to recognize not just a hit, but the defining record of the year. -Patton Liu

Song of the Year

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey

Tipsy or not, Shaboozey rocked the internet and the industry as he stepped, or maybe stumbled, to the top of the charts. His viral hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying the record for most weeks spent at No. 1 and spotlighting a trend of country music reclaiming its place in the mainstream. Led by talented newcomer Shaboozey along with the unmatched star power of Beyoncé, country music will hold a strong presence at the Grammys. The rise of this playful sing-along reflects a renewed sense of inclusion in a genre that has historically not welcomed a diversity of voices and cultures. And on top of all that, it’s catchy. -Hannah Fox

“BIRDS OF FEATHER” – Billie Eilish

Grammy darling Billie Eilish won’t surprise any viewers when she takes home a Song of the Year trophy for the second ceremony in a row, following up the success of Oscar-winning ballad “What Was I Made For?” Eilish’s entire third album “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” was met with widespread acclaim, both critical and commercial. However, its standout hit was none other than “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.” Eilish has revealed that she and her brother Finneas spent nearly a year writing and perfecting the track. A catchy tune that became an anthem across the world for enduring love and attachment, as well as Spotify’s most-streamed song of 2024, it really was the song of the year. The opening notes of the instrumental track have become some of the most recognizable sounds of 2024 – most readers could probably hum them right now. -Rebekah Field

Best New Artist

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter is finally getting her moment in the spotlight. Let’s hope it’s not “Short n’ Sweet.” The former Disney star may be nominated for best new artist, but she’s been working at music for a long time. Carpenter released her first single and EP in 2014, but didn’t have a major breakthrough until the release of her fifth studio album, “Emails I Can’t Send.” Her viral “nonsense outros” helped her become a household name, but they also gave her the opportunity to develop a persona as a performer. Carpenter built an image of raunchy, unserious fun, all while touring and putting out hit after hit. This level of recognition is a long time coming for an artist who has demonstrated the power of a slow rise. With her current trajectory and dedication to her craft, Carpenter could soon become the biggest name in music. -Hannah Fox

Chappell Roan

Despite the fact that her breakout album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” was released in 2023, in a rather unconventional series of slow-burning moments, Chappell Roan’s rise to stardom became one of 2024’s most undeniable success stories. Her theatrical, 80s-influenced pop anthems like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Red Wine Supernova” weren’t just catchy throwbacks, they became rallying cries for a new generation of fans craving something bold, playful and unapologetically queer. Through electrifying performances and relentless touring, Roan proved that raw talent and authenticity still manages to shine through in an industry obsessed with algorithms. A queer icon in the making, and your favorite artists’ favorite artist, she might be the one taking home Best New Artist. -Patton Liu

Regardless of who comes out on top, the Grammys will be sure to make for a memorable night.

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