2022 Grammys: A dazzling array of talents

The nominees for the 64th Grammy Awards, which will air on January 31 in the coming New Year, were announced recently.

From Record and Album of the Year, to categories across R&B, jazz and roots, the versatile artiste Jon Batiste dominates the Grammys with an outstanding 11 nominations under his name. His eighth studio album "We Are" is one of the most uplifting albums I have ever heard. The clever fusion of jazz, soul, pop and hip-hop makes it a stellar album that has a song for every emotion.

Jon Batiste performs at the 2021 Global Citizen Live concert at Central Park in New York, U.S., September 25, 2021. Picture taken September 25, 2021. Photo: REUTERS

The Filipino-American singer Olivia Rodrigo received seven nominations and is undoubtedly, going to win big. She has taken the music industry by storm since her debut song, "Driver's License".

Singer Taylor Swift performs at Z100's Jingle Ball 2014 at Madison Square Garden in New York December 12, 2014. Photo: REUTERS

Olivia is not the first artiste to turn heartbreak stories into smashing hits. The country-singer-turned-pop-superstar Taylor Swift earned her stripes writing songs, inspired by her past relationships. With her Grammy-nominated album "evermore", she proved to the world that she has the unerring ability to write songs based on fictional stories that are so tantalizing, it pulls you in closer with every replay. Evermore's sister album, "folklore" – released during the wretched periods of lockdowns - won Album of the Year last year.

Everyone and their parents' favourite band, ABBA made a comeback this year, 40 years after their split. "I Still Have Faith In You" is such a poignant ode to their halcyon days, which makes their Grammy nomination a well-deserved achievement.

wedish pop group Abba: Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus pose after winning the Swedish branch of the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Waterloo", February 9, 1974. Photo: REUTERS

Doja Cat's spectacularly strange pop album "Planet Her" has also shown up in the nominations couple of times. While I am not a fan of her music, I am familiar with more than half of her discography because of TikTok, which has become a better barometer of a song's success than Spotify or YouTube, so she is guaranteed to walk way victoriously.

I am rooting for H.E.R's album "Back of My Mind" which gives listeners a panoramic view of her soul-bearing artistry and remains a testament to her profound erudition of R&B.

Members of K-pop boy band BTS pose for photographs during a photo opportunity promoting their new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Photo: REUTERS

"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a classic and Chris Connell's rendition turned it into a soothing song you can listen to while you cry yourself to sleep. With "Leave The Door Open", Bruno Mars gave us a slice of slick soul music and became an instant favorite.

This has not been a year for rappers. Drake and Kanye West's new albums were lackadaisical, to say the least. The only rap album that stands out due to its great stroke of genius is Nas's "King's Disease II".

Unfortunately, Korean pop sensation BTS have been snubbed in the main categories, receiving a single nomination (Pop Duo/Group Performance) for their massive hit song, "Butter".