2017 Grammy Predictions: R&B

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Will Win - Beyonce "Lemonade"
Could Win - Rihanna "Anti" or Anderson .Paak "Malibu"
Should Win - Beyonce
Commentary - Oh dear lord, can we please change the name of this category? They have been trying for years to get it right, and they still haven't quite gotten there. Anyway, I digress. Beyonce has faced an upset in this category before when Pharrell surprised everyone with a win. But this year, she is the only nominee in the Album of the Year race, and this is probably going to be the year that she finally takes home the top prize. Expect Lemonade to pick up this prize as well.

Best R&B Album
Will Win - BJ the Chicago Kid "In My Mind"
Could Win - Lalah Hathaway "Lalah Hathaway Live"
Should Win - In My Mind
Commentary - Lalah Hathaway is a popular, three-time Grammy winner with a hell of a live album. But BJ the Chicago Kid is having a huge breakthrough in R&B music, has more nominations overall than Hathaway, and I think in a right race, he will pull it out.

Best R&B Performance
Will Win - Rihanna "Needed Me"
Could Win - Solange "Cranes in the Sky"
Should Win - Solange "Cranes in the Sky"
Commentary - Beyonce is not the only member of the Knowles family that is having a great year. Solange's new album is getting tons of rave reviews, and ranks up there with her sister's has one of the best of 2016. But at the Grammys, often times voters latch on to particular artists, and it takes a lot for them to got against their preordained winners. Rihanna is one of those artists. I think she wins another Grammy for Needed Me.

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Will Win - BJ the Chicago Kid "Woman's World"
Could Win - Lalah Hathaway "Angel" or Jill Scott "Can't Wait"
Should Win - Woman's World
Commentary - Once again, I am picking the upstart BJ the Chicago Kid. But don't discount Grammy winners Jill Scott or Lalah Hathaway.

Best R&B Song
Will Win - Jeff Bhasker, Robyn Fenty, John-Nathan Glass & Teddy Sinclair "Kiss it Better"
Could Win - Hod David and Musze "Lake By the Ocean"
Should Win - Lake By the Ocean
Commentary - I am so mad that Maxwell did not get more recognition for his album this year, but Grammy voters may realize that this is the best song of the bunch. However, as with R&B Performance: don't bet against Rihanna.