Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Predictions for the 53rd Grammy Awards (2011)

Like my Best Rap Album predictions before, here’s a list of what I think will get nominated and will win the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration award. This will probably be the only hip-hop-related award that’ll be presented at the actual ceremony since they have so many categories and such a limited time to give out the awards with the speeches and all, along with the performances, since they did it this year, so be on the lookout for this one on the show. Without further ado, here it is:

1) “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys

With a certification of 3x platinum and 5 weeks on the top of the Billboard Hot 100, this song has everything going for it, plus the mayor of New York himself saying it’s “one of the newest anthems of the Yankees.” But, man, this actually deserves it, in my opinion. Although it sounds like an ode to New York and New York only, which it is, I think it’s much more than that; this is like the ultimate hip-hop anthem. Alicia Keys’ chorus is an earworm in the most amazing way, Jay-Z’s three verses are exuberant, and just the whole damn thing is so enjoyable to listen to. This will be a definite win. But who cares about me? The critics are liking it, too: #1 best single on The Village Voice‘s Pazz & Jop critics’ poll, second best song of 2009 by Rolling Stone, and much more. To put it simply, this will win the award (unless there’s some crazy better single coming out soon by Kanye or something).

2) “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem featuring Rihanna

Well, it’s the current #1 single in the U.S. as I type this, and it’s by Eminem and Rihanna. Come on! That star power alone will get it nominated. The commercial success makes it even easier on the Academy to throw it in this category for nomination. And that’s it; got nothin’ else to say.

3) “Power” by Kanye West featuring Dwele

Yay! Kanye!!! You know, the first time I heard this song, I could not pinpoint Dwele’s voice or singing, and to this day, I still can’t. Where the hell does he sing? Anyway, you know Kanye needs a nomination, even if it doesn’t do well commercially. “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” had a nomination for Best Rap Song (the award went to “Good Life”), and it didn’t do well, either. “Power” is the first single off his new album, and it’s been well-received, being said as Kanye back to his true hip-hop form. And damn straight it is! It won’t win, but I’ll be happy if it gets nominated.

4) “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars

Personally, I would prefer “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars to get nominated, but this hit from up-and-coming star B.o.B will surely get nominated. If not this, then “Airplanes” with Haley Williams of Paramore, but “Nothin’ On You” is the bigger hit with its double platinum status. It’s a pretty cool song. Mars’ singing is always delightful (I  hope he becomes the next big thing), but B.o.B’s verses are just decent. Does it deserve it? Maybe… but like I said, I prefer “Billionaire.”

5) “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg

This is the only song I’d hate to get nominated. Unlike “Umbrella,” which was nominated (and won) with a brief good Jay-Z verse in the beginning, “California Gurls” with its brief verse from Snoop Dogg just doesn’t hold up. It’s a decent listen when you first hear it, but it loses it replay value after that; her previous songs are better. And Snoop, you were wack on this song! Nevertheless, the song was a huge hit in the summer, countering its answer song (“Empire State of Mind”) with 5 weeks on the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The song has also received favorable reviews (obviously not from me), but sorry, Katy, I hope your mediocre answer song to “Empire State of Mind” will NOT get nominated.

There are still two months to go till the eligibility period ends, so there’s a lot more potential for Rap/Sung songs out there to dethrone some of my predictions. I strongly believe, however, that these are the songs that will get nominated from the songs we’ve heard so far. I guess we’ll have to wait and see!