🎵 Music

    🎵 I posted my Grammys predictions back in November. Here is how I did, along with some thoughts:

    Record of the Year:

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: DtMF by Bad Bunny
    • Actual: Luther by Kendrick and SZA

    Album of the Year:

    • Wish: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Predict: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny
    • Actual: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny

    Song of the Year:

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: Golden from KPop Demon Hunters
    • Actual: Wildflower by Billie Eilish

    Best New Artist:

    • Wish: Leon Thomas
    • Predict: Leon Thomas
    • Actual: Olivia Dean

    Producer of the Year:

    • Wish: Sounwave
    • Predict: Dijon
    • Actual: Cirkut

    Pop Solo Performance:

    • Wish: DAISIES by Justin Bieber
    • Predict: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
    • Actual: Messy by Lola Young

    Best Pop Duo:

    • Wish: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
    • Predict: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
    • Actual: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande

    Best Pop Vocal:

    • Wish: SWAG by Justin Bieber
    • Predict: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
    • Actual: MAYHEM by Lady Gaga

    Best R&B Performance

    • Wish: Folded by Kehlani
    • Predict: It Depends by Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller
    • Actual: Folded by Kehlani

    Best R&B Song

    • Wish: Folded by Kehlani
    • Predict: Folded by Kehlani
    • Actual: Folded by Kehlani

    Best Rap Performance

    • Wish: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell
    • Predict: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
    • Actual: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell

    Best Melodic Rap Performance

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Actual: Luther by Kendrick and SZA

    Best Rap Song

    • Wish: The Birds Don’t Sing by Clipse
    • Predict: The Birds Don’t Sing by Clipse
    • Actual: TV Off by Kendrick Lamar ft. Lefty Gunplay

    Best Rap Album

    • Wish: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Predict: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Actual: GNX by Kendrick Lamar

    Couldn’t be more thrilled for K-Dot to become the most Grammy-decorated rapper of all time, even if Clipse’s comeback was overlooked by The Academy. Kenny and his team were pure class acts onstage and looked fantastic on the carpet. He keeps the West Coast proud and, as far as I’m concerned, has sealed his place among the greats forever. If you know me, you know I am very happy with this outcome.

    Similarly, Bad Bunny deserves his wins and every time he pops up in public, I like the guy more. I found his acceptance speeches to be both bold and inspiring. We are all in for a very Latin-American Superbowl. 🕺

    It become obvious to me about a month ago that Olivia Dean was going to win the best new artist. She is everywhere these days and deserves to be so, even if I think Leon Thomas might be new RnB’s next wunderkind. Lady Gaga’s performance was next level. My only serious complaint was that Justin’s SWAG was horrendously snubbed. The album contains some real art, and the man reinvented his sound for the album and created a project that was so much more mature, artistically and sonically, than we’ve ever heard from him. His performance is apparently polarizing, but it was honestly my favorite of the entire night.

    🎵 J Cole’s Golden Goose Freestyle has been on repeat since it dropped—dude is floating on the beat. I am going to try and write a blog post soon about my mixed feelings toward Cole, but the best version of his pen always makes me want to write:

    And I don’t like those odds, so I stay in my lane / despite every bit of dirt thrown my way / there’ll never be a stain on my name / it’s why I walk around as if ain’t nothin' changed / without a chain on my frame / N****s can never know the pain of Jermaine / but I can’t name a thing that I ain’t overcame / I despise my celebrity, I ain’t into fame

    🎵 When I pressed play on IDK’s album this morning, I was NOT expecting such a FIRE project. I need a few more listens—but it is an immediate purchase from me. It has the lyricism and energy that I am always looking out for in hip-hop: e.t.d.s. A Mixtape by .idk.

    (Disclaimer: Explicit)

    🎵 Recent listens:

    *These are songs that my friends put me on to.

    🎵 New A$AP Rocky album exceeded expectations. Production is top-tier, Danny Elfman & Tim Burton made great contributions, & the features (especially Doechii) all killed it. Here is a great interview with A$AP talking about the album.

    ✍️ I don’t mean to sound haughty, but I think I just wrote the best breakdown of Peter Gabriel’s “And Through The Wire” you’ve ever read. Available now at bradley-andrews.com

    (P.S. - it’s altogether possible that this is the only breakdown existing on the internet)

    🎵 From the new CDs & a few online finds:

    Shrek did Sly dirty on this one. Also, brief essay on Peter Gabriel coming soon. 👀

    🎵 3 new CD’s added to the growing stash today, found at Record Whirled in Brooklyn for a great price:

    • Peter Gabriel (3) Album
    • Prince’s Self-Titled Album
    • Sly and the Family Stone Greatest Hits Album

    🎵 I was reminded today that the “Shazam app history forms a uniquely fascinating record of personal delight, curiosity and serendipity.” It was a fun exercise to go back and listen to some of the songs that had caught my attention in the wild this year—if you use the app, I highly recommend you take time to do the same. I found a grip of absolute 🔥 fire 🔥 songs that I want you all to enjoy too:

    My full Micro.blog playlist here, as usual.

    📃 I have finally released my “Best Media of 2025” List! Read it now // bradley-andrews.com

    🎤 Unbelievable show by J.I.D at Brooklyn Paramount. Here is a small snippet of him performing ‘Glory’ from his two-time Grammy nominated album God Does Like Ugly | Brooklyn, NYC

    🎵 Oh man, this track from Method Man (of Wu-Tang fame) and Erick Sermon is insane. First verse is incredible. These older artists have been showing up this year. 🫣

    💿 The CD collection expands! Great finds from Fireplace Records in Hyattsville, MD.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    So a lot of time in the Mk.Gee and Dijon extended universe, plus a little Drake bc I like him with the melodies, not when he acts tough.

    🎵 My Thoughts On Dijon’s Album “Baby”: bradley-andrews.com

    (Hint: I love it)

    🎵 This new De La Soul track featuring Nas is fire. There is no doubt that the West is UP right now in hip-hop and I love to see Nas himself pass the torch. Unbelievable time to be both a rap fan and from the 909:

    As wild as the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s, how it was sick, how did it slip? Now it’s just Doechii, Dot and SZA with most powerful hits

    🎵 Been listening to:

    Divinize has a few unreasonably gorgeous lyrics. Youtube Playlist Here.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    I’ve added songs that I recommend on Micro.blog to a Youtube playlist and will try to keep updated.

    🎵 Here are some predictions and wish lists of Grammy winners for 2026 based on the nominations. Having Clipse and Kendrick on so many of the same tickets puts me in a tough spot, but here it goes:

    Record of the Year:

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: DtMF by Bad Bunny

    Album of the Year:

    • Wish: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Predict: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny

    Song of the Year:

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: Golden from KPop Demon Hunters

    Best New Artist:

    • Wish: Leon Thomas
    • Predict: Leon Thomas

    Producer of the Year:

    • Wish: Sounwave
    • Predict: Dijon

    Pop Solo Performance:

    • Wish: DAISIES by Justin Bieber
    • Predict: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter

    Best Pop Duo:

    • Wish: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
    • Predict: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande

    Best Pop Vocal:

    • Wish: SWAG by Justin Bieber
    • Predict: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter

    Best R&B Performance

    • Wish: Folded by Kehlani
    • Predict: It Depends by Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller

    Best R&B Song

    • Wish: Folded by Kehlani
    • Predict: Folded by Kehlani

    Best Rap Performance

    • Wish: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell
    • Predict: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams

    Best Melodic Rap Performance

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: Luther by Kendrick and SZA

    Best Rap Song

    • Wish: The Birds Don’t Sing by Clipse
    • Predict: The Birds Don’t Sing by Clipse

    Best Rap Album

    • Wish: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Predict: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse

    Lot of repeats, but you can tell who I am pulling for most. That being said, it is an unusually strong nomination list this year. I am not mad for any wins that Dijon, Leon Thomas, Doechii, Tyler, or Billie get, as I am huge fans of each.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    I confess, I didn’t know that the Dennis Edwards song was the original sample for Hit ‘Em Up until NLE released his diss track, KO, this week. KO is a fun track, phenomenal video, but forgettable as a diss, especially when imitating Pac.

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