Grammy Awards: Taylor Swift, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo likely to battle for Album of the Year. Here is why

Though the Grammys are highly unpredictable and surprise winners have emerged many times, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and SZA are most likely to battle for the Album of the Year award. Taylor Swift enjoys cultural dominance and she has monopolized National Football League coverage in recent weeks. Though her fall 2022 album 'Midnights ' has not been as successful as '1989' and 'Folklore', it is most likely to appeal to voters who like artists who don’t make the same album twice.

Besides, many of the voters may have been swayed by the climactic half-hour of her blockbuster 'Eras Tour'. Taylor Swift has won Album of the Year a historic three times, beginning with 'Fearless' in 2010. But 'Evermore' got an album nod only by a last-minute expansion of nominees from eight to 10.

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SZA

American singer-songwriter SZA has won only one Grammy before. But one must remember that 'SOS' became the longest-running No. 1 album by a woman this decade. She also won Best New Artist and a couple of pop categories two years ago.

Real contenders

Come February 4, 2024, the list of real contenders for the top prize may be limited to three singers- Swift, SZA, and Olivia Rodrigo. The other five slots are essentially wild cards.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Eight likelies

Jon Batiste, “World Music Radio”

Boygenius, “The Record”

Lana Del Rey, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.”

Karol G, “Manana Será Bonito”

Olivia Rodrigo, “Guts”

Taylor Swift, “Midnights”

SZA, “SOS”

Lainey Wilson, “Bell Bottom Country”

Ten more contenders…:

Zach Bryan, “Zach Bryan”

Brandy Clark, “Brandy Clark”

Miley Cyrus, “Endless Summer Vacation”

Foo Fighters, “But Here We Are”

Noah Kahan, “Stick Season”

Laufey, “Bewitched”

Metro Boomin, “Heroes and Villains”

Travis Scott, “Utopia”

Ed Sheeran, “Subtract”

Paul Simon, “Seven Psalms”

RECORD OF THE YEAR and SONG OF THE YEAR

Top eight (in alphabetical order):

Brandy Clark featuring Brandi Carlile, “Dear Insecurity”

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Billie Eilish, “What Was I Made For?”

Karol G featuring Shakira, “TQG”

PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2”

Olivia Rodrigo, “Vampire”

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

SZA, “Kill Bill”

You never know…:

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, “I Remember Everything”

Tyler Childers, “In Your Love”

Luke Combs, “Fast Car”

Lana Del Rey, “A&W”

Doja Cat, “Paint the Town Red”

Dua Lipa, “Dance the Night”

Noah Kahan, “Dial Drunk”

Lil Durk and J Cole, “All My Life”

Rihanna, “Lift Me Up”

Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”

FAQs:

Who are the top contenders for Grammy's Album of the Year 2024?
Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and SZA are most likely to battle for the Album of the Year award. The Grammy Awards will be announced on February 4, 2024.

Name the longest-running No. 1 album by a woman singer.
SZA's album ' SOS' became the longest-running No. 1 album by a woman this decade. She also won Best New Artist and a couple of pop categories two years ago.