Against All Odds

BEST NEW ARTIST

Sheryl Crow; Ace of Base; Counting Crows; Crash Test Dummies; Green Day
*WILL WIN: Crow may be too new to pull down the heavyweight awards, but that "intelligent singer-songwriter" shtick, and her pout, will serve her well here.
*SHOULD WIN: Green Day, even if they already have two previous albums.
*OVERLOOKED: Beck, the most new of the new artists.

R&B PERFORMANCE, FEMALE

"Body and Soul," Anita Baker; "Breathe Again," Toni Braxton; "A Deeper Love," Aretha Franklin; "I Don't Want to Know," Gladys Knight; "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)," Me'Shell NdegéOcello
*WILL WIN: It's Baker's "big" comeback. Braxton had her day last year.
*SHOULD WIN: NdegéOcello. She's the best thing about Madonna's owning her own label.

R&B PERFORMANCE, MALE

"When Can I See You," Babyface; "I'm Ready," Tevin Campbell; "Wait for the Magic," Al Jarreau; "Always and Forever," Luther Vandross; "Practice What You Preach," Barry White
*WILL WIN: Former winner Babyface.
*SHOULD WIN: White, for That Voice.
*OVERLOOKED: It may not play in the heartland, but R. Kelly's "Bump N' Grind" was 1994's biggest R&B news.

ROCK PERFORMANCE, GROUP

"Crazy," Aerosmith; "Round Here," Counting Crows; "Basket Case," Green Day; "All Apologies," Nirvana; "Daughter," Pearl Jam
*WILL WIN: Counting Crows sound old enough to edge out even Aerosmith.
*SHOULD WIN: Nirvana, for the only song that will sound as fresh in 10 years.
*OVERLOOKED: Hole's "Doll Parts." If Courtney Love screeching, "Someday you will ache like I ache," isn't an award-worthy performance, nothing is.

ROCK PERFORMANCE, FEMALE

"I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday," Sheryl Crow; "Come to My Window," Melissa Etheridge; "Supernova," Liz Phair; "Circle of Fire," Sam Phillips; "Love Sneakin' Up On You," Bonnie Raitt
*WILL WIN: Etheridge has the hottest baby-boomer buzz right now.
*SHOULD WIN: The edgier Phair.

ROCK PERFORMANCE, MALE

"Loser," Beck; "Red Rain," Peter Gabriel; "In the Garden/You Send Me/Allegheny," Van Morrison; "Streets of Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen; "Philadelphia," Neil Young
*WILL WIN: Voters will most likely toss Springsteen this bone.
*SHOULD WIN: It's hardly "rock," but "Loser" deserves acknowledgment.

RAP PERFORMANCE, SOLO

"Fantastic Voyage," Coolio; "Flava in Ya Ear," Craig Mack; "U.N.I.T.Y.," Queen Latifah; "Gin and Juice," Snoop Doggy Dogg; "This D.J.," Warren G
*WILL WIN: Latifah is the least dangerous.
*SHOULD WIN: Cool 'do Coolio, for kickin' new flava into the genre.
*OVERLOOKED: Domino's "Getto Jam" holds its own against this competition.

COUNTRY VOCAL, MALE

"Thinkin' Problem," David Ball; "Your Love Amazes Me," John Berry; "When Love Finds You," Vince Gill; "I Swear," John Michael Montgomery; "Pocket of a Clown," Dwight Yoakam
*WILL WIN: Montgomery; voters love sweeping romantic ballads.
*SHOULD WIN: Gill's understated reading of "When Love" is like a hymn.

COUNTRY VOCAL, FEMALE

"Shut Up and Kiss Me," Mary Chapin Carpenter; "Is It Over Yet," Wynonna; "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye," Patty Loveless; "Independence Day," Martina McBride; "She Thinks His Name Was John," Reba McEntire
*WILL WIN: Wynonna. After Carpenter's winning streak, it's her turn.
*SHOULD WIN: Loveless, who gives the performance of her life.