Tomorrow morning–at 11:30 a.m. ET, to be exact–music’s biggest stars, including Akon, Fergie, the two lead dudes from Linkin Park, and George Lopez (?), will hold court in Los Angeles and announce the nominees for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, which take place on Feb. 10, 2008. Anyway, with the announcement of the nomination ceremony comes the speculation over which artist will walk away with the most nods. Will the voters go crazy for Feist’s Apple-sanctioned tastefulness, or the Boss’ stature? Will Amy Winehouse be forced to make the first trainwreck award-show appearance of 2008 after racking up a slew of nominations? Our take comes after the jump.
Feist: 10-1.
In her favor: She’s the Norah Jones of 2007: Dreamy-looking, dinner-party ready, and a big seller (on this year’s radically diminished scale, anyway).
Working against her: Like Doug Morris will let his minions bestow hosannas on someone whose sales were the result of Apple’s marketing department, and not his own.
Paul McCartney: 6-1.
In his favor: Boomer-age voters will forever try to make the endless Beatles snubs up to him.
Working against him: His decision to go outside the normal record-industry channels for Memory Almost Full–and get a boatload of press attention because he did so–might have ruffled feathers among the few people who are actually still employed at major labels.
Kanye West: 4-1.
In his favor: Woke up the sleepy retail world (at least for a few days) with his Sept. 11 battle royale. His fiery persona means that he may be one of the last true rock stars left. And shit, he sampled Can!
Working against him: Well, he is a hip-hop artist. And he doesn’t exactly look like Eminem, if you get my drift.
Amy Winehouse: 3-2.
In her favor: Back To Black has cross-generational appeal and sold pretty well in a year that was very unkind to the industry, and she has the sort of “talent” that can be easily explained by pointing a finger at Greatness Gone By.
Working against her: At this point, nominating her for anything that isn’t a long stint in rehab seems like enabling her.
Bruce Springsteen: Even.
In his favor: He is The Boss, after all.
Working against him: Uh, got me. Maybe the “hey, I’m going to release my album on vinyl a week early so I can get nominated now” trick will rankle anyone who’s a stickler for deadlines?


















