Predicting Grammy Nominations Near Impossible

Tonight is the nomination special for the Grammy Awards on CBS - a new tradition to see who are the major nominees for the coveted music award.  The show will have LL Cool J hosting, Lady gaga performing, and all of us wondering if the committee got it right with the Album of the Year and Song of the Year.  Predicting who will get these honors seems like an impossible task, but here's a quick look into the crystal ball before the show starts tonight:

Album Of The Year

The mark of any great album is the depth of great songs that are on it, and the impact that the album had in our pop culture over the last year.  Lady Gaga seems to be a lock here for You and I.  The album has produced 3 massive hits ("Born This Way", "You And I", "The Edge Of Glory") and her "little monsters" continue to grow astronomically.

Nicki Minaj is a cultural phenomenon with her unique look, style, and wigs (sounds like Gaga).  Minaj backs up her act with her Pink Friday release having produced five Top-5 R&B hits, having one of the most addicting songs of the past year ("Superbass"), and many nominations in other awards shows leading up to tonight's Grammy Nomination special.  Don't forget that Nicki's look was one of the most popular Halloween ideas of this year.

Adele has been the groundbreaking artist of the last year.  Her sound became the standout on the radio over the last year because nobody was sounding like her ("Rolling In The Deep", "Someone Like You").  Her album 21 has sold 12 Million worldwide - nothing else needs to be said here.  If Adele is not nominated, then the Grammy committee is deaf!

Bruno Mars used last years Grammys to showcase one of the best performances of that evening.  His album D0o-Wops and Hooligans has produced 2 cart topping singles ("Just The Way You Are", "Grenade"), the critics seem to love his style - part old school with a blend of new school.  Bruno seems to be a lock here, but not as certain as the 3 ladies above.

The 5th and final spot will be a battle.  Tony Bennett has been a Grammy favorite in the past, and Duets II features the last song by Amy Winehouse.  The Grammy committee have shown love in the past for veteran artists, and for those you have past (one that comes to mind is Ray Charles in 2005 for Genius Loves Company).  While Britney Spears has made quite a comeback with Femme Fatale, can she be taken seriously by the committee?  The safe bet here could go to a country album.  Although I would love to see Jason Aldean get the nod for My Kinda Party, the safe play is for Lady Antebellum for Own The Night.

Song Of The Year / Record Of The Year

One category salutes the songwriter of the best song of the last year, and the other goes to the artist and producer for the record.  3 mortal locks that you can bank on:  Bruno Mars with "Grenade", Lady Gaga for "You And I", and Adele for either of her top hits ("Rolling In The Deep" or "Someone Like You").  The other 2 spots are not as easy to decide upon.  Jason Aldean's duet with Kelly Clarkson should be considered heavily ("Don't You Wanna Stay"), Foster The People could also get some love for "Pumped Up Kicks", or why not LMFAO for "Party Rock Anthem"?  Let's not forget Nicki Minaj for "Superbass" and Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera with "Moves Like Jagger".

Best New Artist

This seems easy, but watch all 5 be wrong:

The Band Perry, Hot Chelle Rae, Nicki Minaj, Foster The People, and Young The Giant

There are too many categories in the Grammy pool, so we"ll stop here.  Look for the All-Snub list tomorrow and future predictions in 2012 for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12th.