2013 Grammy nominations: Frank Ocean and Mumford and Sons lead with six
Frank Ocean’s revelation this summer that his first love was a man made headlines, but the 25-year-old’s bisexuality didn’t overshadow the strength of his debut, Channel Orange. The album and Ocean nabbed six Grammy nominations Wednesday (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best New Artist, and two nods for his collaboration with Jay-Z and Kanye West on “No Church In The Wild”). Mumford And Sons, Fun., and the Black Keys also garnered six nominations a piece.
Mumford’s Babel, with 1.2 million copies sold, will go up against Ocean, the Black Keys (El Camino), Jack White (Blunderbuss), and Fun. (Some Nights) for the coveted Album of the Year trophy. While the category skewed younger than in previous years (please, lets never repeat the Steely Dan year), pop sensations Justin Bieber, One Direction, Rihanna, and even Mr. Gangnam Style himself, Psy failed to make the cut in favor of straight-forward guitar-driven acts.
The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach joins the non-classical Producer of the Year ranks for his stellar guidance on El Camino and albums by Dr. John and Hacienda while the band competes in the Best Rock Album, Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance, and Best Rock Song (for “Lonely Boy”) categories.
Thanks to the omnipresent belter, “We Are Young,” Fun. managed to secure a place in all four of the top Grammy categories (meaning these are the trophies you’ll see handed out during the televised broadcast on CBS on Feb. 13), including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. The trio will have to beat out Ocean, The Lumineers, Hunter Hayes, and Alabama Shakes for a chance to dominate in the Best New Artist field.
Taylor Swift‘s Red didn’t make eligibility cut (the period for this year’s awards fell between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2012), but her breezy kiss-off “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” qualifies for Record of the Year, which goes to the artist. On the opposite end of the dating spectrum, Carly Rae Jepsen‘s “Call Me Maybe” is up for Song of the Year, which goes to the songwriter.
Best Rap Album
Take Care – Drake
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 – Lupe Fiasco
Life Is Good – Nas
Undun – The Roots
God Forgives, I Don’t – Rick Ross
Based On A T.r.u. Story – 2 Chainz
Best Alternative Music Album
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona Apple
Biophilia – Björk
Making Mirrors – Gotye
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. – M83
Bad As Me – Tom Waits
Best Rock Album
El Camino – The Black Keys
Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay
The 2nd Law – Muse
Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen
Blunderbuss – Jack White
Best Country Album
Uncaged – Zac Brown Band
Hunter Hayes – Hunter Hayes
Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran – Jamey Johnson
Four The Record – Miranda Lambert
The Time Jumpers – The Time Jumpers
For a full list of nominees go to grammy.com.
