The 60th Annual Grammys Award Show will commence on January 28, 2018. 2017, filled with hip hop and stars arising from the Internet, should hold some interesting results on who receives what award.

Record of the Year: Redbone by Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino came out with one of the most surprising projects in 2017, and with the lead single, “Redbone” to his album Awaken, My Love!, Gambino topped the charts with a detour from the typical trap influences. “Redbone” contains a layered, detailed instrumental that sounds smooth and groovy. Gambino expertly side stepped his typical rapping for a near soprano singing voice, calming listeners throughout the runtime. This ballad marked a new start in both Gambino’s music career and the music industry as a whole.

Album of the Year: DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar

DAMN. quickly became the world’s favorite record upon release, overtaking the charts and teen’s car speakers. The highly trap-influenced record hit its mark in 2017, defining the musical taste of America. Lamar made a through and through rap album with high quality lyricism and flow, covering depression, politics, and his religious beliefs. This project, despite a few hiccups, ultimately became the most important album in 2017 because of its unparalleled popularity.

Best Pop Group/Duo Performance: “Feel It Still” by Portugal, the Man
Portugal, the Man, though not reaching the heights of the Chainsmokers or “Despacito,” pulled through 2017 with an enjoyably, catchy pop song that caught the ears of America. With simple, relatable lyrics that offered a slightly rebellious tone, “Feel It Still” showcased better artistry than the generic, oversimplified mess of typical chart toppers.

Best Urban Contemporary Album: Ctrl by SZA

Ctrl took a new approach to the near-saturated market of rap in 2017, and finally brought a female perspective to urban culture. This album masterfully covered topics of sex, drugs, and cheating with a sweet, smooth sound that listeners fell in love with. The variation in tracklisting gave this project sustainability, and through bringing a new perspective to the music world, SZA created the best urban contemporary album of 2017.

Best Rap Performance: “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B

Cardi B exploded onto the charts with her single “Bodak Yellow,” keeping number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for several weeks. She, along with SZA, brought female rap into the spotlight in 2017— and with heated aggression. “Bodak Yellow” took the summer as the most popular song, and it seemed that people never grew tired of it. Cardi B promises to become the next big thing in the music industry, and if her success can match that of “Bodak Yellow,” she does not need to worry about her former days of dancing, as in fact she will make money moves.

Best New Artist: Lil Uzi Vert

The Philadelphia native’s popularity exploded in 2017, with both a feature on the biggest hip-hop hit of the year, “Bad and Boujee,” and the release of one of the most popular songs of the summer, “XO Tour Llif3.” His music occupied the public’s ears for a significant chunk of the year. Vert showcases an uncanny ability to craft good, catchy hooks, such as those on “Neon Guts,” “How to Talk,” and “Sauce It Up” on his project Luv Is Rage 2, and carved out a niche to operate in for the years to come.

Best R&B Song: “Supermodel” by SZA

SZA gives her side of why a relationship in her past failed in the opener to her album, Ctrl. She decries her ex for cheating and neglectfulness, and lays out her reasons for staying with him despite all of the conflict, down to her general, personal insecurities in relationships. The production of this song does a good job of not taking too much focus away from SZA’s storytelling through its minimalism.

Best Rap Song: “The Story of OJ” by Jay-Z

Jay-Z delivers a brilliant commentary on the common lack of financial literacy amongst newly affluent African-Americans and offers advice on how to more prudently spend new found riches. Alongside this message to strive for financial freedom, the hook says that no matter what black person accomplishes or does not accomplish, society will default to seeing them as less than. Jay-Z uses his own mistakes as a tool to teach those coming after him, and although lines fall flat on occasion, the overall product does not disappoint.

Best Rap/Sung Performance: “Crew” by Goldlink, Shy Glizzy, and Brent Faiyaz

These natives of the rap group DMV team up for one of the best tracks of the year with “Crew.” Goldlink’s excellent voice and flow never disappoint, and Faiyaz’s hook holds a claim for the best of the year. It likely will not win, but “Crew” holds just as good a claim as any of the other nominees.

Best Rap Album: Flower Boy by Tyler, The Creator

Tyler’s days of eating roaches & slinging slurs seem far gone. He released a mature, layered project with allusion after allusion to his coming out journey. As a member of the hip-hop community, coming out shows a huge amount of courage, given the casual homophobia found in the industry. Features by other artists throughout the song greatly enhance the experience, and if Rex Orange County, who graces two tracks, pulls home GRAMMYs of his own in the future, it should surprise no one.

With the Grammys typically becoming a popularity contest, the picks above may not hold true, but the artists listed definitely deserve all the praise they can garner. 2017 changed what mainstream audiences can expect from the radio stations, and with even younger Internet stars on the rise to fame, 2018 seems to hold even more interesting picks. The Grammys will air at 7:30pm on January 28, 2018.