February 13, 2005|By Rashod D. Ollison | Rashod D. Ollison,Sun Pop Music Critic
The 47th Grammy Awards nominations better reflect what kinds of music people actually listened to than in years past. That's a good thing; it proves that the members of the Recording Academy have a pulse. Although Kanye West's impressive debut, College Dropout, didn't get a lot of air play, it refreshed hip-hop and became a double-platinum hit, appearing on numerous best-of-2004 lists. All eyes will be on the Chicago rapper-producer, who leads the pack with 10 nominations. Although predicting winners is always tricky, here are my favorites in this year's major award categories.
-- Rashod D. Ollison
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Nominations:
"Let's Get It Started," The Black Eyed Peas
"Here We Go Again," Ray Charles and Norah Jones
"American Idiot," Green Day
"Heaven," Los Lonely Boys
"Yeah!" Usher featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris.
Rashod's Pick: "Yeah!" The song brought the crunk sound to the masses last year. It was fun and immediate, capturing the escapist spirit of 2004.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nominations:
Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and Various Artists
American Idiot, Green Day
The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys
Confessions, Usher
College Dropout, Kanye West.
Rashod's Pick: Green Day, American Idiot. One of the more ambitious and accessible albums of last year. But I wouldn't be surprised if Ray Charles wins. Ray, the movie based on his life, was a box-office smash, receiving multiple Oscar nominations, and Genius Loves Company went multi- platinum. Too bad the man didn't live long enough to enjoy this sudden career resurgence.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Nominations:
"Daughters," John Mayer (performed by John Mayer)
"If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys)
"Jesus Walks," C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West)
"Live Like You Were Dying," Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw)
"The Reason," Daniel Estrin and Douglas Robb (Hoobastank).
Rashod's Pick: "If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys. This soulful, retro ballad recalls some of the open-hearted, down-to-earth gems Carole King used to write.
BEST R&B ALBUM
Nominations:
My Everything, Anita Baker
I Can't Stop, Al Green
The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys
Musicology, Prince
Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2, Jill Scott.
Rashod's Pick: Beautifully Human, Words and Sounds Vol. 2, Jill Scott. I doubt this record will win, but lyrically it's the best album in the bunch, showcasing Scott as one of the smartest songwriters in modern soul.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Nominations:
Los Lonely Boys
Maroon 5
Joss Stone
Kanye West
Gretchen Wilson.
Rashod's Pick: Gretchen Wilson. This award seldom goes to the most obvious pick, which would be West in this case. However, Wilson also had a critically and commercially successful debut this year. It's between Stone or Wilson. But my money's on the new country chick.
BEST POP ALBUM
Nominations:
Feels Like Home, Norah Jones
Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and Various Artists
Afterglow, Sarah McLachlan
Mind, Body & Soul, Joss Stone
Brian Wilson Presents Smile, Brian Wilson
Rashod's Pick: Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company. If he doesn't get album of the year, the late legend may win this category for the uneven but sometimes touching album released after his death.
BEST RAP ALBUM
Nominations:
To the 5 Boroughs, the Beastie Boys
The Black Album, Jay-Z
The DEFinition, LL Cool J
Suit, Nelly
College Dropout, Kanye West
Rashod's Pick: Kanye West, College Dropout. The most engaging record nominated in this slot.
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Nominations:
Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn
Live Like You Were Dying, Tim McGraw
Tambourine, Tift Merritt
Be Here, Keith Urban
Here for the Party, Gretchen Wilson
Rashod's Pick: Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose. The best country album to come out last year. Too bad that not enough people heard it.
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Nominations:
Medulla, Bjork
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Uh Huh Her, PJ Harvey
Good News For People Who Love Bad News, Modest Mouse
A Ghost is Born, Wilco
Rashod's Pick: Medulla, Bjork. The Icelandic artist always pushes the boundaries, creating brilliantly imaginative soundscapes along the way.
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Nominations:
The Delivery Man, Elvis Costello and the Imposters
American Idiot, Green Day
The Reason, Hooba-stank
Hot Fuss, The Killers
Contraband, Velvet Revolver
Rashod's Pick: Green Day, American Idiot. Hands down, the best rock album of 2004.
To see a complete list of nominees in more than 100 categories, and for other Grammys coverage, go online to baltimoresun. com / grammys.
Tune in
What: The 47th Grammy Awards
Time: 8 p.m.
Station: CBS, WJZ, Channel 13
