Behind the Music

Will Win Santana featuring Rob Thomas, ''Smooth''
This 11 week No. 1 hit has sales and Santana-mania on its side. Still, don't count out the Backstreet Boys' smash ''I Want It That Way,'' which is the boy-band single du jour among music scribes. ''It's a quintessential pop record,'' says EW Senior Writer Chris Willman. ''You can't get it out of your head.''

Should Win TLC, ''No Scrubs''
It sparked watercooler debates, answer records (Sporty Thievz's ''No Pigeons''), and the hot streak of producer Kevin ''She'kspere'' Briggs (Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey). ''In terms of sheer impact, TLC should win it,'' says EW Correspondent Rob Brunner,'' everyone was talking about that song.''

Will Win Santana, ''Supernatural''
This big seller is the industry favorite (executive produced by biz legend Clive Davis), and the sentimental favorite (Santana has gotten only one Grammy in his 30-year career). Plus, the Grammys love a comeback. Ask Bonnie Raitt.

Should Win Dixie Chicks, ''Fly''
''If there were any justice, it'd go to the Dixie Chicks,'' says Willman. ''They did some damn fine coalition building by mixing traditional country and rock & roll -- and getting away with it to boot.''

Will Win Susan Tedeschi
Just kidding. Ingenue Britney Spears will be battling this one out with neo-soulster Macy Gray. And for the most part they're equally handicapped -- Macy doesn't have Britney's sales; Britney doesn't have Macy's pipes. But if Christina Aguilera splits Britney's teen pop vote, then Gray will take the gold.

Should Win Macy Gray
''Macy Gray is the prototypical Best New Artist,'' says EW music critic David Browne. ''She has a good voice and she helps write her own songs.'' And like other Grammy-winning newcomers, Gray is as likely to have a healthy career run (Sheryl Crow, Mariah Carey) as to fade from relevance (Paula Cole, Arrested Development).

Will Win Santana featuring Everlast, ''Put Your Lights On''
''Lights'' didn't have the radio legs of ''Smooth,'' but it's simply Santana's year. ''If the Oscars are considered a real race this year,'' says Willman, ''then the Grammys are the opposite -- an open and shut case.''

Should Win Red Hot Chili Peppers, ''Scar Tissue''
''It reveals some unexpected depth for the Chili Peppers,'' says EW staff writer Tom Sinclair. ''It's really an evocative, moody song.''

Will Win TLC, ''FanMail''
Voters will likely recognize TLC here, since they're not up against Santana. But Grammy fave Whitney is a steely contender simply because she's already won five times.

Should Win Mary J. Blige, ''Mary''
Blige made the year's most critically acclaimed R&B album by merging hip-hop and soul without losing the punch of either.

Will Win Fatboy Slim, ''You've Come a Long Way, Baby''
It's the most accessible alternative: two inescapable feel-good singles (''Praise You,'' ''Rockafeller Skank), and a ubiquitous Spike Jonze-directed video.

Should Win Moby, ''Play''
It's the most novel alternative: ''There was something about the way he blended the dance-y stuff with the old gospel and field holler samples,'' says Browne. ''It felt fresh.''

See our list of additional Grammy nominees.