It's almost Grammy time, folks, and this year the competition is ultra fierce. So, who better to give UsMagazine.com a forecast for the night's top winners than Ryan Tedder?
The lead singer and mastermind behind OneRepublic (check out their smash single, "All The Right Moves," at onerepublic.net) is also known as the man behind hits including Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love," "Already Gone" by Kelly Clarkson and his own group's "Apologize."
For the 52nd annual awards show this year (airing live from L.A.'s Staples Center on CBS Sunday at 8 p.m./EST), Tedder is nominated in two categories: Record of the Year for penning Beyonce's "Halo" and Album of the Year for his contributions to her I Am…Sasha Fierce album.
Fortunately for Us, the music superstar had a moment to give me his top choices for who should win in the top 5 categories. Take it away, hitman!
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Nominees: "Halo" by Beyonce, "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas, "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon, "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga and "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift
Ryan's pick: "I gotta vote for myself on this one of course and go with 'Halo.'"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nominees: Beyonce's I Am…Sasha Fierce, Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D., Lady Gaga's The Fame, Taylor Swift's Fearless, Dave Matthews Band's Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King.
Ryan's pick: "This is Beyonce's year from what everyone's saying so I predict she'll take this category."
SONG OF THE YEAR
Nominees: "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga, "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell, "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" by Beyonce, "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon, and "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift
Ryan's pick: "These guys worked so hard to finally get America to listen to them: Kings of Leon — 'Use Somebody.'"
BEST NEW ARTIST
Nominees: Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, The Ting Tings, Silversun Pickup
Ryan's pick: "To me the best new artist category is about who did the best job at catching people off guard, and that's MGMT."
BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
Nominees: "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas, "We Weren't Born To Follow" by Bon Jovi, "Never Say Never" by The Fray, "Sara Smile" by Daryl Hall and John Oates and "Kids" by MGMT
Ryan's pick: "I'm good friends with fellow Denver dudes The Fray, and this song is "real" and powerful: "Never Say Never" — The Fray."
