Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
- "Woman" - Raheem DeVaughn [Jive Records]
- "B.U.D.D.Y." - Musiq Soulchild [Atlantic Records]
- "Because Of You" - Ne-Yo [Def Jam Recordings]
- "Future Baby Mama" - Prince [Columbia/NPG Records]
- "Please Don't Go" - Tank [Blackground/Universal Motown]
Ne-Yo appears to be the stand-out in this category. "Because of You" was an R&B hit, indeed. It was also a SMASHING pop hit as well. Ne-Yo's recent songwriting and production credits, most notably Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable,” will help him secure this win, especially since he has four other top 10 songs to his credit: "So Sick," "When You're Mad," "Sexy Love" and "Do You."
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
- "Same Girl" - R. Kelly featuring Usher [Jive]
- "Disrespectful" - Chaka Khan featuring Mary J. Blige [Burgundy/Sony/BMG]
- "Hate That I Love You" - Rihanna featuring Ne-Yo [Def Jam Recordings]
- "Baby" - Angie Stone featuring Betty Wright [Stax]
- "Bartender" - T-Pain featuring Akon [Jive]
Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige will win in this category, for the following reasons: Chaka Khan made a respectable album with original material, after a nine year hiatus; last year, Mary J. Blige was the darling of the Grammys; and a double-dose of R&B's best, both past and present, is nothing to squawk at.
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
- "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" - Otis Clay [Echo Records]
- "All Night Long" - Randy Crawford & Joe Sample [PRA Records]
- "In My Songs" - Gerald Levert [Atlantic]
- "I Apologize" - Ann Nesby [Shanachie/It's Time Child Records]
- "I Am Your Man" - Ryan Shaw [Razor & Tie Entertainment]
The late Gerald Levert will be given the Grammy for the posthumous release of "In My Songs." The win will not come out of pity but out of respect for his talent and raw emotion. It's sad to think that this is his first nomination as a solo artist. His previous nominations were in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group category for 1988's "Casanova" with Levert and 2007's "Everyday (Family Reunion)" with Chaka Khan, Carl Thomas, and Yolanda Adams.
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
I agree with most of your predictions (especially for Gerald Levert), but I think Alicia Keys will sweep the few categories she's nominated for this time.
While the album wasn't released in time to be considered on the whole, "No One" is the only part of that album to be represented this year. For that reason, and because Keys delivered with As I Am (which should garner an Album of the Year nod next year), I think she's going to run away with whatever she's nominated for now.
-Donald
2 - F-daht
I like the predictions except that you left off chrisette michelle.
3 - Esther
Good picks Clayton, but I respectfully disagree on several of them. MJB will likely win for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance; I like Lupe and Jill for Best Urban/Alternative, but I've been hearing a lot about Alice Smith, so I don't know about this one; I'm probably the only person in the world who hates Alicia Key's "No One," but I'm hoping Fantasia wins for Best R&B Song.
4 - Tess
It is true that Eminem will sing with Amy Winehouse in the 2008 grammys?
5 - Sean Griffin
Eminem doesn't sing, he raps. So no. Anyways, Jill Scott is wonderful. She deserves to be lauded.
6 - Sam
Is Ahley Tisdale singing or being noninated for anything at the 2008 grammys?
7 - Aysha Zawillone
EMI’s legends and today’s stars dazzled audiences during 50th anniversary broadcast: Sinatra lives, Tina Turner rocks, Clark Sisters inspire in Aretha Tribute and The Beatles’ LOVE with Cirque de Soleil
The Beatles’ LOVE wins two trophies. Karen Clark-Sheard and The Clark Sisters win three awards
Grammys also go to Pepe Aguilar, Beastie Boys, Terence Blanchard, Chemical Brothers, Juan Luis Guerra, Sir Simon Rattle Choral Performance and Keith Urban
Juan Luis Guerra attended the EMI Post Grammy party at Dominic's in LA. Edna Abad threw the EMI Post Grammy party, which was another success for the head of EMI Artist Relations.
Aysha Zawillon
Variety
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