The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards are held in 2021, but the eligibility period for these kudos celebrating the best in music actually started on September 1, 2019, ending on August 31, 2020. So who will win Album of the Year?
This eligibility period is new for the Grammys. The recording academy moved up their calendar in 2020 in response to the Oscars, which moved their ceremony up to early February, which was when the Grammys usually aired. So the Grammys shifted their telecast to early January and adopted an eligibility calendar that ended a month earlier.
But that's not the only change the Grammys have undergone in recent years. For the 61st annual event held in 2019, the academy expanded its top four general field categories (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist) from five nominees to eight in part as a response to criticisms over a lack of diversity among the nominees and winners.
Has it worked? Since then, two women in a row have won Album of the Year (Kacey Musgraves for "Golden Hour" and Billie Eilish for "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?") and Childish Gambino's "This is America" made history as the first hip-hop song to win Record and Song of the Year.
But the Grammys didn't escape criticism even with those acclaimed victors. After a brief stint as president and CEO of the recording academy, Deborah Dugan was fired in 2020 and subsequently alleged misconduct within the academy, including questionable voting practices. The nominees in the top categories, including Album of the Year, aren't decided strictly by a popular vote of academy members. Nomination review committees make the final decisions, and Dugan claimed conflicts of interests led to vote-rigging.
So where do the Grammys go from here? And who will take top honors? See some of the major contenders below. Check back often as new albums are announced and released.
UPDATED: August 28, 2020
Leading Contenders
"After Hours" by The Weeknd
Label: XO/Republic
Released: March 20, 2020
"Chromatica" by Lady Gaga
Label: Streamline/Interscope
Released: May 29, 2020
"Fetch the Bolt Cutters" by Fiona Apple
Label: Epic
Released: April 17, 2020
"Fine Line" by Harry Styles
Label: Columbia/Erskine
Released: December 13, 2019
"Folklore" by Taylor Swift
Label: Republic
Released: July 24, 2020
"Future Nostalgia" by Dua Lipa
Label: Warner Records
Released: March 27, 2020
"Gaslighter" by The Chicks
Label: Columbia
Released: July 17, 2020
"The Highwomen" by The Highwomen
Label: Elektra
Released: September 6, 2019
"Hollywood's Bleeding" by Post Malone
Label: Republic
Released: September 6, 2019
"Jaime" by Brittany Howard
Label: ATO
Released: September 20, 2019
"Manic" by Halsey
Label: Capitol
Released: January 17, 2020
"Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial" by Roddy Ricch
Label: Atlantic/Bird Vision
Released: December 6, 2019
"The Slow Rush" by Tame Impala
Label: Modular/Island Australia/Interscope/Fiction/Caroline
Released: February 14, 2020
"3.15.20" by Childish Gambino
Label: RCA
Released: March 22, 2020
Strong Contenders
"Alicia" by Alicia Keys
Label: RCA
Released: May 15, 2020
"Bigger Love" by John Legend
Label: Columbia
Released: June 19, 2020
"Changes" by Justin Bieber
Label: Def Jam/RBMG
Released: February 14, 2020
"Dark Lane Demo Tapes" by Drake
Label: OVO/Republic
Released: May 1, 2020
"Everyday Life" by Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Released: November 22, 2019
"Eternal Atake" by Lil Uzi Vert
Label: Generation Now/Atlantic
Released: March 6, 2020
"Father of All Motherf*ckers" by Green Day
Label: Reprise
Released: February 7, 2020
"Ghosteen" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Label: Ghosteen/Bad Seed
Released: October 4, 2019
"High Road" by Kesha
Label: RCA/Kemosabe
Released: January 31, 2020
"Hot Pink" by Doja Cat
Label: Kemosabe/RCA
Released: November 7, 2019
"Hyperspace" by Beck
Label: Capitol
Released: November 22, 2019
"Magdalene" by FKA Twigs
Label: Young Turks
Released: November 8, 2019
"Map of the Soul: 7" by BTS
Label: Big Hit/iriver/Columbia/Virgin/Sony Music Germany
Released: February 21, 2020
"My Turn" by Lil Baby
Label: Capitol/Motown/Wolfpack/Quality Control
Released: February 28, 2020
"Never Will" by Ashley McBryde
Label: Warner Music Nashville
Released: April 3, 2020
"Notes on a Conditional Form" by The 1975
Label: Dirty Hit/Polydor
Released: May 22, 2020
"Rare" by Selena Gomez
Label: Interscope
Released: January 10, 2020
"Romance" by Camila Cabello
Label: Epic/Syco
Released: December 6, 2019
"Rough and Rowdy Ways" by Bob Dylan
Label: Columbia
Released: June 19, 2020
"RTJ4" by Run the Jewels
Label: Jewel Runners/BMG
Released: June 3, 2020
"Sound and Fury" by Sturgill Simpson
Label: Elektra
Released: September 27, 2019
"Suga" by Megan Thee Stallion
Label: 1501 Certified/300 (Warner)
Released: March 6, 2020
"What You See is What You Get" by Luke Combs
Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
Released: November 8, 2019
"Wildcard" by Miranda Lambert
Label: RCA Nashville/Vanner
Released: November 1, 2019
"Women in Music Pt. III" by Haim
Label: Polydor/Vertigo Berlin/Columbia
Released: June 26, 2020
"YHLQMDLG" by Bad Bunny
Label: Rimas
Released: February 29, 2020
Possible Contenders
"Blame It on Baby" by DaBaby
Label: Interscope/Billion Dollar Baby
Released: April 17, 2020
"Born Here Live Here Die Here" by Luke Bryan
Label: Capitol Nashville/Row Crop
Released: August 7, 2020
"Circles" by Mac Miller
Label: Warner
Released: January 17, 2020
"Colores" by J Balvin
Label: Universal Latin
Released: March 19, 2020
"Gigaton" by Pearl Jam
Label: Monkeywrench/Republic
Released: March 27, 2020
"Heartache Medication" by Jon Pardi
Label: Capitol Nashville
Released: September 27, 2019
"Heartbreak Weather" by Niall Horan
Label: Neon Haze/Capitol/SBK
Released: March 13, 2020
"Jesus is King" by Kanye West
Label: GOOD/Def Jam
Released: October 25, 2019
"Legends Never Die" by Juice WRLD
Label: Grade A/Interscope
Released: July 10, 2020
"Music to Be Murdered By" by Eminem
Label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
Released: January 17, 2020
"The New Abnormal" by The Strokes
Label: Cult/RCA
Released: April 10, 2020
"Nightfall" by Little Big Town
Label: Capitol Nashville
Released: January 17, 2020
"Ocean" by Lady A
Label: BMLG
Released: November 15, 2019
"Over It" by Summer Walker
Label: LoveRenaissance/Interscope
Released: October 4, 2019
"Pray 4 Love" by Rod Wave
Label: Alamo Records
Released: April 3, 2020
"Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon" by Pop Smoke
Label: Victor Victor/Republic
Released: July 3, 2020
"Smile" by Katy Perry
Label: Capitol
Released: August 28, 2020
"Southside" by Sam Hunt
Label: MCA Nashville
Released: April 3, 2020
"That's How Rumors Get Started" by Margo Price
Label: Loma Vista Recordings
Released: July 10, 2020
Untitled by Sam Smith
Label: Capitol
Released: 2020
"Your Life is a Record" by Brandy Clark
Label: Warner
Released: March 6, 2020
Exo exo ❤❤
Yeh nuh exo will not get nominated ( no offense)
Don’t start fan wars my dude probably not your intentions but just don’t say anything if it won’t come out nice because no offense does not change anything :/ You’re making armys look bad
As ARMY I agree, grow up little one
They…aren’t even on the list…
Tinashe’s songs for you was the best album and should be nominated. Check it out if you haven’t. It’s sooo amazing!
My love I don’t think they had an album in the time period. Let’s not fight. Love to all
Exo
Blackpink! !!!
Wale… “Wow… That’s Crazy” best album of 2019. It should win best rap album.
On Chill was #1 on billboard for weeks, & his videos were fireeeee
BTS!!!
Yay! 💜💜💜💜
Yes bts already has many votes
donde votaste?
buscagrammys2021who will win? y te sale
Yesss
they wont win , mark my words
Davido
ALBUM- good time
World contemporary album
Rare Selena Gomez album of the year
No unfortunately her best friend out did her w the masterpiece that is folklore.
Bts
BTS Map Of Soul 7 they have to win why did y’all put exo if they are not on the Grammy awards 2021 for next year.
BTS!!
I would The album from bad Bunny win with best album
I would like YHLQMDLG album from Bad bunny have a great impact in spotify and Bad Bunny is an artist who erans really great numbers
The Weeknd has been working towards this for a decade. It’s his time
yesss xo
Harry styles fine line
all the way
#Fine Line – Harry Styles
Go Harry! #fineline
Yess Harry
YES FINE LINE
bts for sure
Dee are losing to Harry styles so make sure y’all vote. It is really close though.
girl those votes won’t do nothing, they’re just predictions
still hope they get one bc they deserve it
Uzi
Heartbreak Weather by Niall Horan is so underrated. It deserves to be a top contender for sure
true! Niall Horan deserves so much. Heartbreak Weather is a masterpiece! people go stream his new album, you won’t regret
No Rina Sawayama = No credibility
I agree
BTS deserves it. Plus I think they should win one for their music videos as well, like seriously the Grammy people are sleeping one this.
No hatred towards anyone. The one who deserves The Grammy will receive it eventually. But still favorites are favorites so I really wish that BTS receives this meaningful and prestigious award. Not only because they want to receive it like the other artists but also because they DESERVE IT!! BEST OF LUCK BTS.
I agree! Last year the Grammy’s was rigged! BTS Map of The Soul ‘Persona’ should have won at least 1! Not only do the deserve it, but their albums that were put out from 2013-2020 have also increased in huge number of sales and streams! I knew this award show was screwed up from an interview with Eminem, but damn!
BTS is my vote! Hopefully it will be fair the next time it comes around!
You are so right but Grammys have no problem using them for viewers
We have the same name!
Bts should be on that list since they they used them to get ratings an also they put out good music.
either dababy, roddy ricch, or lil uzi vert will win best rap album or best rap song single!
I think BTS deserve to win
Polo G 100%.
FINE LINE HARRY STYLES
y melanie martinez
i like BTS.
BTS’s map of the soul 7 they should win even it’s a single Grammy it’s okay for me but no hate for who will win
I Vote For BTS i Wish They Wll Win Award Cuz They Really Deserve….
Plz BTS……..
Cuz They Really Deserve it….
I truly think Map Of the Soul 7 should get not only album but best artist and best song for ON
This men tru,y deserve it they was the top sellers last year and didnt get a mention.
Yeah,I think that they will defenetly win for the album because the album is a super fucking Top dude.
BTS should win but we all know how Grammys are. But I swear they are afraid of them.
Wow the fact that u didnt included SAWAYAMA is a crime. You better listen it if u didnt. Its also 4th most acclaimed album of 2020 yet.
BTS map of the soul 7 deserves to win it’s a great work
I think Dua’s wotk was the most sonically cohesive. And we know the hrammys love sonically cohesive albums.
I am not a fan of them, but that Map Of the soul 7 by BTS, was really one of the best album I have heard this year, they include a lot of genres and they show their potential as artists who deserves more. So, my vote goes to BTS
Thank you,we appreciate it 💜
To be honest, this year BTS guys deservea nomination, the numbers and streams are prove that they have that one. If the grammys ignores that wow thats gonna look racist
My vote goes to BTS as what other artist has this much positive influence To global fans as well as bringing so much joy through their music. They deserve it.
Harry Styles “fine line”
Yessssssss!! Love HS!
No hate to any of the potential winners, but I really think that BTS deserves to win at least one of the awards this year. They really pulled through with the music and the music video production this year. The Grammys should stop sleeping on their talent and potential as global artists.
BTS deserves to win!!!
Hope they do!!!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
BTS.
MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 by BTS really deserve at least to be nominated if not a win for ALBUM OF THE YEAR; the selling numbers and streams are a proof
Not saying this because I’m a fan but FIne Line is honestly a masterpiece. It touches so many untouched places in music especially these days and this boldness showed by Styles alone deserves a Grammy solely to encourage the birth of real music, as opposed to what everyone can easily make.
Niall Horan – Heartbreak weather
bts
BTS
BTS
I hope Chloe x Halle are nominated. They are slept on all the time. They are so unique, and their music is very special. Their new album Ungodly Hour is amazing and it deserves to at least be nominated.
BTS, plz do nominate BTS. THEY DESERVE IT.
If BTS doesn’t win a Grammy this coming year.
Grammy is being racist like last Grammy BT were the one who had the most sold Albums but Billie won not that I hate her but it was clearly BTS’s win.
This year too their album is being a hit and if BTS don’t win.Armys are going to get crazy for sure
This is not the only time that’s been happening. It’s been for years- even before bts existed but yes, I agree. I understand what you’re saying. I’m also disappointed that Beyoncé new Album “The Lion King: The Gift (Deluxe Edition)” didn’t even get nominated in the same category. It’s a shame but I heard that she has been nominated for other categories which I am happy and I will voting for all the categories that she been nominated but as for the “Album of the Year” Award BTS should definitely win it.
Come on, don’t be shy, put BTS in the list. MOT 7 deserves it bro
MAC MILLER CIRCLES!!!!!
BTS merecen más nominación, espero BTS pueda ganar se lo merecen..
I always vote BTS 💜💜
BTS💜
Heartbreak Weather by Niall Horan should win album of the year! masterpiece
I think Adam Lambert’s VELVET album should win the Grammy for best album.. He’s Not even a contender.. Velvet is a glorious album that is original ,with vocals like no others.
BTS MAP OF THE SOUL :7