Updated 2019 Grammy Awards Odds: “Shallow” Now Odds-On Favorite for Song of the Year

• The Grammy Awards will be given out this Sunday, February 8th at Staples Center in Los Angeles
• The Recording Academy expanded four general field categories to include eight nominees in each category this year
• Diverse nominees feature pop, hip hop, country, EDM, and R&B competing for the gold

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Music fans look forward to “Music’s biggest night” once a year, and this year the Grammy Awards have made a few fun changes to be more inclusive of all genres while still representing the best of the best.

We’ve included the nominees for this year’s Grammy Awards’ general field categories below along with their corresponding odds.

Odds to Win Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards

Country star Kacey Musgraves made nearly every critic’s year-end list so it’s no surprise to see her leading the pack here. But huge competition fills the category at every angle, particularly in the form of the loaded Black Panther soundtrack, which features a smorgasbord of R&B and hip hop including Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd.

Recent winners have been fairly safe, and choosing Musgraves may stick to that trend too well. We haven’t seen a soundtrack take the prize since O Brother, Where Art Thou? in 2002. Seeing that critic and fan favorite Kendrick Lamar was locked out of a win in this category twice prior, the Recording Academy is overdue to reward Lamar even if it’s in an ensemble capacity. They will probably want to mix it up this year.

Pick: Black Panther: The Album, Various Artists (+250)

Odds to Win Best New Artist at the 2019 Grammy Awards

R&B star H.E.R. has been making a big splash recently, with an accessible sound that appeals to young and old alike. The Grammys tend to reward artists with mass appeal across demographics. Very few artists in this year’s running are household names, and rumor has it that the Academy is trying to be more mindful of The Grammys as a televised event and what would make for the best show.

Given that, we have the incredible well-loved and successful Dua Lipa. Lipa is a pop star on paper, but an artist who has seen much crossover appeal thanks to collaborations with wide-ranging genres as EDM (“Scared to Be Lonely” with Martin Garrix), reggae (“No Lie” with Sean Paul) and K-Pop (“Kiss and Make Up” with Black Pink). She deserves to be recognized for her appeal, originality, and breadth.

Pick: Dua Lipa (+180)

Odds to Win Record of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards

Considering that the record of the year category is awarded to the artist, you must consider the entire package here. Childish Gambino’s “This is America” became a viral hit thanks to an impactful music video with a serious message.

Considering the other options here, we have ear worms from all genres, including hip hop (Drake’s oft referenced “God’s Plan”), pop rap (Cardi B’s “I Like It”), and perhaps the most radio-appropriate EDM song of the century (“The Middle”). But “This is America” was a downright pop culture institution.

Pick: “This is America,” Childish Gambino (-150)

Odds to Win Song of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards

This songwriting award is given to those who pen the tune. Yes, we have some gorgeous contenders, including Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s standout “All the Stars”. But “Shallow” has already won a Golden Globe for Best Song, making it a top contender. Can it hold up against non-film related tunes at the Grammys though? It’s likely.

“Shallow” is a beautifully-crafted tune, one with iconic moments, soft flourishes, and a catchy enough melody that still allows the song to retain its title as a proper ballad. There are few other tunes in this category as beloved as the theme song from A Star is Born.

Pick: “Shallow,” Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (-300)