2009 Grammy Predictions and Proclamations

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Best Rap Album

The Nominees:
American Gangster - Jay-Z
Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
Nas - Nas
Paper Trail - T.I.

Who will win: Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne will leave with some extra gold.

Who should win: Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
As uneven as the record is, its high points more than compensate.

Who really should win: The Bake Sale - The Cool Kids
We love the late '80s/early '90s NYC hip-hop sound (though they're from Chicago), along with the '80s-obsessed lyrics.


Best Female Country Vocal Performance

The Nominees:
"For These Times" - Martina McBride
"What I Cannot Change" - LeAnn Rimes
"Last Name" - Carrie Underwood
"Last Call" - Lee Ann Womack
"This Is Me You're Talking To" - Trisha Yearwood

Who will win: "Last Name" - Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood sounds as sassy and strong as she did on "Before He Cheats," and her voice will be hard to beat.

Who should win: "Last Call" - Lee Ann Womack
We're just so glad that country radio has Lee Ann back.

Who really should win: "Love Story" - Taylor Swift
As much as we're tempted to give the nod to something a little more off-center like Lucinda Williams' "Wishes Were Horses," the self-penned pop-country track from the 19-year-old Swift is more than worthy.


Best Male Country Vocal Performance

The Nominees:
"You're Gonna Miss This" - Trace Adkins
"In Color" - Jamey Johnson
"Just Got Started Lovin' You" - James Otto
"Letter To Me" - Brad Paisley
"Troubadour" - George Strait

Who will win: "Letter To Me" - Brad Paisley
Paisley's silly song about sending a letter back in time is just heartwarming enough to win.

Who should win: "Troubadour" - George Strait
There's something so wonderfully clichéd about the King of Country singing a song about being an old troubadour.

Who really should win: "Easy Does It" - Bonnie "Prince" Billy
All Will Oldham needs is a giant cowboy hat.