Billie Eilish made Grammy history in 2020 when, at 18, she became the youngest artist — and second ever — in the award show's four major categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
If the 2022 ceremony goes as planned for Olivia Rodrigo, she could become the next player to achieve the feat. In addition to the iconic "Big Four", "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" is up for breakout, 19, Best Pop Vocal Album ("Sour"), Best Pop Solo Performance ("Drivers License") and Best Pop Vocal Album ("Drivers License"). Best Music Video ("Good 4 U").
But Rodrigo has a lot of competition. For the first time ever, the Recording Academy has expanded the "Big Four" from eight to 10 nominees, a move that the organization's CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., said will "make room for more artists and genres from across the vast and diverse landscape of music." . "
Could Rodrigo follow in Eilish's impressive footsteps, though? Below, Page Six predicts how the night will be — and should be — when “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah hosts the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, April 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Record of the Year
“I Still Have Faith in You,” ABBA
“Freedom,” Jon Batiste
“I Get a Kick Out of You,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon
“Right on Time,” Brandi Carlile
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat featuring SZA
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” Lil Nas X
“Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
Will win: "Driving License," Olivia Rodrigo
Should Win: "Happier Than Ever," Billie Eilish
"Drivers License" was one of the top songs of 2021 for a reason. Rodrigo's career-launching No. 1 single achieved what very few artists can: make 40-something 18 feel again. The sound of a car engine and the chime of a door-ajar, her tale of young love and painful heartbreak on a heartbeat - before the bone-chilling bridge begins.
But "Happier Than Ever" still takes the cake for biggest Sonic Shock of the year. In what began as a bare-bones acoustic ballad in two and a half minutes, Eilish kicked things up 15 notches and launched into an absolute headbanger, far more than anything the Best Rock nominee has done over the years. more monstrous.
Album of the Year
“We Are,” Jon Batiste
“Love for Sale,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
“Justice,” Justin Bieber
“Planet Her,” Doja Cat
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Back of My Mind,” H.E.R.
“Montero,” Lil Nas X
“Sour,” Olivia Rodrigo
“Evermore,” Taylor Swift
“Donda,” Kanye West
Will Win: "Happier Than Ever," Billie Elisho
Should Win: "Sour," Olivia Rodrigo
Album of the year is always a toss-up (remember when Beck somehow beat Beyoncé in 2015?), and this year will be no different. Bennett and Gaga's second album here may sound like an underdog — especially considering it wasn't a commercial success like their first, "Cheek to Cheek" — but lest we smack the 95-year-old jazz legend. Forget it, have been taking home gramophones for almost six decades. Now that he is retired, the Recording Academy may decide to honor him one last time.
However, there is a high chance that one of the two youngest nominees in the category will take home the trophy. The understated yet punch-packed "Happier Than Ever" is the obvious choice, given that Eilish has become a Grammy darling over the past two years, but "Sour" debuted one of the most promising acts since, well, Eilish himself. . Inspired by Alanis Morissette, Hayley Williams and Taylor Swift, Rodrigo cobbled together an unstoppable, multifaceted masterpiece that united generations at a time when the world needed it most.
Song of the Year
“Bad Habits,” Ed Sheeran
“A Beautiful Noise,” Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile
“Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo
“Fight for You,” H.E.R.
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat featuring SZA
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
“Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” Lil Nas X
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon
“Right on Time,” Brandi Carlile
Will win: "Driving License," Olivia Rodrigo
Should Win: "Driving License," Olivia Rodrigo
Rodrigo has Song of the Year in his bag. Sure, she's the most novel songwriter of the bunch — fellow nominees Sheeran, Keys, HER, Eilish, and Silk Sonic's Bruno Mars already have SOTY trophies on their shelves at home — but the cultural touchstone that's "drivers license" is resonates with the public, in a way the industry hasn't seen in years. Rodrigo's carefully curated lyrics sent fans into overdrive as he spent months dissecting whether the heartwarming track was inspired by behind-the-scenes drama at Disney. The seal of approval from his idol Swift (himself an 11-time Grammy winner) further cemented Rodrigo's place in pop music theory.
Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
Will win: Olivia Rodrigo
Should win: Olivia Rodrigo
All bets are on Rodrigo even for the best new artist. Her only real competition is Phineas, whose nomination is clearly puzzling, as she's been winning Grammys (eight, to be exact) since 2020 for her work on her sister Eilish's songs. But the cast of Finesse hasn't made the impression that the writer and producer has made in Phineas, so Rodrigo doesn't need to sweat. And if her next project is half as good as her debut, she'll go to the Grammys for many years to come.
