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SURPRISE: 'In My Blood', Shawn Mendes, Song Of The Year
Shawn Mendes/Facebook
Shawn Mendes didn’t score any Grammy nominations for his first two albums, maybe because the Academy was still getting over the fact that he was a Vine star. But Shawn finally got some well-deserved recognition this time around, and popped up in a major category: Song Of The Year for “In My Blood”. He also scored a nomination for Best Pop Vocal album.
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SNUB: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift/Facebook
We're shocked that Taylor Swift was shut out of all the top categories this year. While "Reputation" didn't spawn a ton of hit singles, it was one of the best-selling albums of 2017 - presumably making it a definite contender for Album Of The Year. "Delicate" has (slowly, but surely) made an impact on mainstream radio, but the song was also ignored by the Academy. Perhaps her sole nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album will bring her some solace. Guess the Grammys miss the 'old Taylor'.
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SURPRISE: Chloe x Halle, Best New Artist
Chloe and Halle Bailey/Facebook
No one is denying that "Grown-ish" series regulars Chloe and Halle Bailey are extremely talented singer-songwriters, but the soulful R&B duo's debut album - "The Kids Are Alright" - didn't exactly make a big splash. However, their fresh take on the genre also earned the sisters a Best Urban Contemporary Album nomination. We applaud the Academy for shining a light on their music.
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SNUB: Troye Sivan, Best New Artist
Troye Sivan/Instagram
Troye Sivan's sophomore album "Bloom" was a stunning electro-pop record, and it's disappointing that the Academy didn't reward the 23-year-old for his efforts. Troye continues to create cohesive bodies of work that somehow make you wanna dance and cry simultaneously, and we believe he more than deserved a Best New Artist nomination.
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SURPRISE: Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile/Facebook
The big surprise this year is definitely Brandi Carlile. She scored nods for Record, Song, and Album Of The Year - one of the overall leaders with six nominations. While she’s an industry fave, she’s definitely an under-the-radar artist; but the Grammys clearly made a point to recognize her great work.
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SNUB: 'Everything Is Love', Beyoncé And Jay-Z, Album Of The Year
Beyoncé/Facebook
While “Everything Is Love” didn’t have the impact that their respective solo projects did - “Lemonade” and “4:44” - we were all assuming that the Grammys wouldn’t be able to resist rewarding music’s biggest power couple for their joint album. Even with an expanded category of eight nominees, the Academy decided to go with different choices - possibly because they didn’t want Bey and Jay lose Album Of The Year... again. They were also completely shut out of the General Field, as “Apesh*t” failed to grab Record or Song nominations.
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SURPRISE: 'Colors', Beck, Best Pop Solo Performance
Beck/Facebook
Beck is no stranger to the Grammys stage - remember, he upset Beyonce for Album Of The Year a few years ago. But we were still surprised to see him score a nomination in the super competitive Best Pop Vocal Performance category, beating out superstars like Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, and Pink. Clearly Beck is no "Loser".
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SNUB: 'Graffiti U', Keith Urban, Best Country Album
Keith Urban/Facebook
Even though he just won Entertainer Of The Year at the CMA Awards, Keith Urban missed out on a nod for Best Country Album at the Grammys. He wasn’t completely snubbed though - his song "Parallel Line" was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance.
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SURPRISE: 'H.E.R Volume I', H.E.R, Album Of The Year
H.E.R/Facebook
Gabriella Wilson, the young woman behind "H.E.R Volume 1", put out an impressive debut record that made her one of R&B's biggest rising stars. While she certainly fit the bill for a Best New Artist nomination, we didn't expect to see her in the Album Of The Year category. Nevertheless, we're pleased to see more women and people of colour getting the recognition they rightfully deserve.
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SNUB: 'Perfect', Ed Sheeran And Beyoncé, Record Of The Year
Ed Sheeran/Instagram
For the second year in a row, Ed Sheeran didn’t score an expected Record of The Year nomination. Last year, we were all assuming “Shape Of You” was a lock - even a potential winner - but it wasn’t nominated. This year, we thought his “Perfect” team-up with Beyoncé would translate to a make-up nod in the category, but nope. The duo will just have to take comfort in their previous Grammys wins.
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SURPRISE: 'All The Stars', Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA, Record & Song Of The Year
Black Panther/Twitter
We had a feeling Kendrick Lamar's "Black Panther" soundtrack would be nominated for Album Of The Year, but we didn't anticipate its big single - "All The Stars" - would get a nod in two of the top categories.
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SNUB: 'Girls Like You', Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B, Record Of The Year
Maroon 5/Facebook
This seemed to be a single tailor-made for the Grammys. Maroon 5 is an Academy fave (previously beating Kanye West for Best New Artist), and 2018 was the year of Cardi B. Plus, the uplifting song was a massive radio hit. While it did score a Best Pop/Duo Group Performance nod, the collaboration won’t be competing for any top awards.
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SURPRISE: 'Fall In Line' Christina Aguilera feat. Demi Lovato, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Christina Aguilera/Facebook
Two of the biggest (and arguably best) voices in pop coming together should be recognized by the Academy, especially in this particular category. But this nod is surprising due to a lack of commercial love for Christina's latest album, "Liberation". Demi's personal struggles away from the stage didn't inspire much confidence either, but these powerhouse vocalists proved they can't be ignored.
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SNUB: 'Sweetener', Ariana Grande, Album Of The Year
Ariana Grande/Facebook
While Ariana Grande did score nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, "Sweetener" failed to earn a nomination in the General Field. We're surprised her experimentation on this well-received record didn't fully pay off.
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SURPRISE: 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', Backstreet Boys, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Backstreet Boys/Facebook
Backstreet's back, alright! After 17 years, the Backstreet Boys have earned their eighth Grammy nomination for their summer single "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". Even more surprising? The group has never walked away with a win. Maybe 2019 will be their year.
Shawn Mendes/Facebook
Taylor Swift/Facebook
Chloe and Halle Bailey/Facebook
Troye Sivan/Instagram
Brandi Carlile/Facebook
Beyoncé/Facebook
Beck/Facebook
Keith Urban/Facebook
H.E.R/Facebook
Ed Sheeran/Instagram
Black Panther/Twitter
Maroon 5/Facebook
Christina Aguilera/Facebook
Ariana Grande/Facebook
Backstreet Boys/Facebook
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