The 65th Grammy Awards are fast upon us. The event, hosted by Trevor Noah, will be held live Sunday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS and stream live and be on demand on Paramount+.
Beyoncé leads the field for R&B artists with nine nominations, including three in the general field, Album of the Year (Renaissance), Song of the Year (“Break My Soul”) and Record of the Year (“Break My Soul”).
In addition, Mary J. Blige, Steve Lacy and Muni Long have nominations in the general fields as well as others across genres such as pop and R&B.
Other artists, including Diana Ross, PJ Morton, Anderson .Paak and Lucky Daye, also have historic and notable nominations.
Rated R&B encouraged Recording Academy members to participate in the first round of voting last October, which determined nominees.
After nominations were announced in November, Rated R&B again advocated late in 2022 for members to partake in final voting to decide winners.
Before winners are announced, Rated R&B returns with annual predictions on who will take home gold from the R&B field. Let’s take another look at the nominees.
Best R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.
Beyoncé, “VIRGO’S GROOVE”
Lucky Daye, “Over”
Jazmine Sullivan, “Hurt Me So Good”
Mary J. Blige, “Here With Me” featuring Anderson .Paak
Muni Long, “Hrs and Hrs”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.
Snoh Aalegra, “Do 4 Love”
Beyoncé, “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA”
Mary J. Blige, “Good Morning Gorgeous”
Babyface, “Keeps On Fallin’” featuring Ella Mai
Adam Blackstone, “‘Round Midnight” featuring Jazmine Sullivan
Best R&B Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
“CUFF IT”
Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Beyoncé, Mary Christine Brockert, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“Good Morning Gorgeous”
Mary J. Blige, David Brown, Dernst Emile II, Gabriella Wilson & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (Mary J. Blige)
“Hrs & Hrs”
Hamadi Aaabi, Dylan Graham, Priscilla Renea, Thaddis “Kuk” Harrell, Brandon John-Baptiste, Isaac Wriston & Justin Nathaniel Zim, songwriters (Muni Long)
“Hurt Me So Good”
Akeel Henry, Michael Holmes, Luca Mauti, Jazmine Sullivan & Elliott Trent, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
“Please Don’t Walk Away”
PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton)
Best R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.
PJ Morton, Watch The Sun
Robert Glasper, Black Radio III
Mary J. Blige, Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)
Chris Brown, Breezy (Deluxe)
Lucky Daye, Candydrip
Best Progressive R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded progressive vocal tracks derivative of R&B.
Cory Henry, Operation Funk
Terrace Martin, Drones
Tank and The Bangas, Red Balloon
Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
Starfruit, Moonchild
Antwane’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance: Mary J. Blige, “Here With Me” featuring Anderson .Paak
Best Traditional R&B Performance: Beyoncé, “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA” & Mary J. Blige, “Good Morning Gorgeous” (TIE)
Best R&B Song: “Hrs & Hrs”
Best Progressive R&B Album: Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
Best R&B Album: Mary J. Blige, Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)
Follow Antwane on Twitter @iam_antwane
Jakori’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance: Jazmine Sullivan, “Hurt Me So Good”
Best Traditional R&B Performance: Beyoncé, “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA”
Best R&B Song: “Good Morning Gorgeous”
Best Progressive R&B Album: Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
Best R&B Album: Mary J. Blige, Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)
Follow Jakori on Twitter @jakoribJ
Keithan’s Predictions:
Best R&B Performance: Beyoncé, “VIRGO’S GROOVE”
Best Traditional R&B Performance: Beyoncé, “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA”
Best R&B Song: “Good Morning Gorgeous”
Best Progressive R&B Album: Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
Best R&B Album: Lucky Daye, Candydrip
Follow Keithan on Twitter @iamkeithan
