Pop stars are reshaping the Grammy landscape

As the 2025 Grammy nominations loom, the music industry is witnessing an unprecedented shift. Pop icons are crossing genre boundaries, aiming for recognition in categories traditionally dominated by country artists. Let’s delve into this surprising trend and explore who’s making waves.

Sabrina Carpenter’s country leap

Sabrina Carpenter, best known for her pop hits, is one of the notable names making a foray into country music. Her guitar-tinged track “Slim Pickens” has been submitted for consideration in both the best country song and best country solo performance categories. Typically, the Recording Academy’s country committee holds a strict gate, often turning away non-country artists. However, they accepted Carpenter’s submission, signalling her potential rise within the country genre when nominations are revealed on November 8.

The crossover contenders

This year, the Grammy ballot is filled with non-traditional entries in the country genre. Big names like Beyoncé and Post Malone have dominated their debut country projects and are set to earn multiple nominations. Joining them are eclectic artists such as MGK, Kesha, Gwen Stefani, Julia Michaels, and Auto-Tune king T-Pain. Even the likes of Avril Lavigne, Marshmello, Noah Kahan, and R&B singer K. Michelle are stepping into the country realm.

The Cyrus sisters showdown

The competition heats up in the country duo/group performance category as the Cyrus sisters—Miley and Noah—vie for a spot. Miley’s feature on Beyoncé’s “II Most Wanted” and Noah’s collaboration with Shaboozey on “My Fault” make them strong contenders.

Rocking the Grammys

In another twist, Megan Thee Stallion is taking a shot at the rock category with her “Cobra (Rock Remix)”, featuring metal band Spiritbox. This move could see her square off against Lady Gaga, Norah Jones, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, and even Dolly Parton, whose first rock album was released last year. Childish Gambino and his rock submissions “Lithonia” and “Running Around” are also in the mix.

Strategic submissions

Artists are getting smarter with their Grammy strategy. When Megan Thee Stallion faced the dilemma of competing with herself, she chose not to submit “WAP,” letting “Savage” take center stage— a tactical decision that earned her two Grammys. Meanwhile, Jelly Roll and Dolly Parton face the challenge of potential vote-splitting with multiple entries in the same categories.

Honoring iconic voices

The potential for posthumous honors is significant this year. Matthew Perry could achieve a Grammy nod for his memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” in the best audio book, narration, and storytelling category. This category also features Michelle Williams for narrating Britney Spears’ memoir, alongside RuPaul, Jill Biden, George Takei, and others.

Comedy and poetry in competition

In the performance category, a potential showdown is brewing between comedian Dave Chappelle and actress Penélope Cruz. Chappelle’s involvement in Travis Scott’s “Parasail” and Cruz’s narration on Residente’s “313” might see them competing head-to-head.

Post Malone’s Grammy takeover

Post Malone is likely to be the most nominated artist this year, thanks to his foray into country music. His country album and singles have resonated well within the pop landscape, and his collaborations with Taylor Swift on “Fortnight” and Beyoncé on “Levii’s Jeans” bolster his chances across major categories. Despite the high number of nominations, intra-category competition might hinder his award count.

Morgan Wallen’s breakthrough

Surprisingly, Morgan Wallen—who hasn’t secured a Grammy nomination in his solo career—is poised to break through thanks to his feature on Post Malone’s hit “I Had Some Help.” Typically, bro-country artists are overlooked by Grammy voters, but Wallen’s association with Malone might just change that.

The return of boycotters

Artists like Drake and The Weeknd, who once vowed never to submit to the Grammys, might still find themselves in the running due to their collaborations. Drake’s work with Sexyy Red and Gordo, along with The Weeknd’s feature on “We Still Don’t Trust You,” play into this ironic twist.

Beyoncé’s genre-spanning impact

Beyoncé’s history-making streak continues as she expands her Grammy portfolio. From being the first artist to earn nominations across rock, rap, R&B, and pop genres in one year, she now eyes country and American Roots nominations. Her collaboration with Linda Martell on “Spaghetti” could pioneer new ground.

Beatles and their timeless magic

The Beatles are back in Grammy conversation with their song “Now and Then,” vying for record of the year and best rock performance. This could see Ringo Starr, who submitted “Gonna Need Someone,” competing against his own legendary band.

Celebrating diversity in country

Willie Nelson and Orville Peck bring unique perspectives with their rendition of “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other.” Their submission might earn a nod for best country duo/group performance and best music video, showcasing the genre’s evolving narrative.

Confusion in category placements

Submissions from artists like Tommy Richman and Tyla are stirring controversies. Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” ended up in rap categories, igniting backlash. Meanwhile, Tyla’s self-titled album’s placement in pop rather than best progressive R&B highlights the arbitrary nature of category assignments.

NSYNC’s nostalgic return

Boy band nostalgia hits the Grammys as NSYNC reunites for the “Trolls Band Together” soundtrack. Their track “Better Place” seeks recognition in best pop duo/group performance, marking a potential Grammy comeback after over two decades.

Billie ‘engineer’ Eilish

Billie Eilish stands out not just for her voice but also her technical prowess. Listed as an engineer on her third album, she might join the ranks of artists who’ve won for the best engineered album. Similarly, Justin Timberlake adds to the list with his engineering credit on “Everything I Thought I Was.”

Ariana, the arranger

Ariana Grande could earn a rare nod for arranging with “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” in best arrangement, instruments and vocals. Eilish and Finneas are also vying for this with “Birds of a Feather.”

As we anticipate the announcement on November 8, stay informed with the latest updates by sharing this article and following our pages. The Grammy season promises surprises and unprecedented competition!