will take home the big prizes when the61st Grammy Awardsair Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. As told to EWs Sarah Rodman and Alex Suskind.
THE SONGWRITER:I just think Kacey Musgraves has got it.
My main reason is because theres eight nominees.
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If there were five, I dont think it would be as clear a path.
Theres so many people that cross different genres, theyre spreading out votes.
The people that vote for country are going to vote for Kacey.
THE PRODUCER:Brandi Carlile.
Its such a great body of work because of her storytelling.
Its the one record [I] listened to and didnt stop and move on to the next.
I love that album.
But to me, Brandi should take it.
SONG OF THE YEAR
THE SINGER:Childish Gambino.
The song is amazing andthe videois perfect.
And I think that he needs to be allowed a bigger platform so that do that.
I enjoy the danger of that.
THE PRODUCER:Brandi Carlile.
The lyrical content and story are incredible.
The best song is [Carliles] The Joke.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
THE SINGER:Brandi Carlile.
THE SONGWRITER:Lady Gaga.
I feel like shes in that place right now when it starts coming down to a process of elimination.
Its like, Where do we honor that film in a big category?
Its going to win, but its the worst song there.
THE PRODUCER:This one is between Drake, Gaga, and Brandi.
But again I will vote for Brandi.
To me its the far superior record from a songwriting point of view.
Brandi came in out of nowhere and got six nominations.
And shes a credible artist.
To me, its a no-brainer that she should sweep the Grammys.
BEST NEW ARTIST
THE SINGER:They get a lot of sh for sounding like Zeppelin.
Yes, they do.
Which is rock 101.
THE SONGWRITER:Dua Lipas a little more known outside of her specific genre.
I feel like she has really left an impression on songwriters and creators.
THE PRODUCER:H.E.R.
or Greta Van Fleet.
I cant absolutely tell you, because one is not standing out to me over the other.
She does her thing.
But this album is beautiful.
She still sings her ass off.
THE SONGWRITER:This category blows my mind.
I believe most of these nominees were very much snubbed in the big categories.
Its Ariana Grandes, and she should be nominated more places.
She made a great record.
THE PRODUCER:Shawn Mendes is going to get it, but Pink deserves it.
Shes just the superior singer.
But hes got a cute little thing going on.
This will probably be the one he gets, because he puts out great pop vocals.
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
THE SINGER:Chris Stapleton.
I fing love him.
Its what country music is supposed to be.
Its not supposed to be Were trying to be Bon Jovi or Were trying to be pop music.
I love the fact that itsFrom a Room: Volume 2.
Because thats what it sounds like.
Hes just in a room, writing the songs.
THE SONGWRITER:Kacey Musgraves has got the momentum.
THE PRODUCER:I dont know these records as well.
But Kacey is great.
Its a good record.
I will give it to her.
BEST RAP SONG
THE SINGER:Eminem.
The rapid-fire energy is what attracts me to it.
THE SONGWRITER:I love Gods Plan.
I dont have strong feelings about Drake.
I just think this record and particularly this song are amazing.
THE PRODUCER:That one is hard.
Travis, Kendrick, and Drake, its between those guys for sure.
But Drake is also the seasoned favorite.
Im going with Drake.
