More L.A. “Times” Writers Try To Predict Best New Artist Noms, Think Voters Will Remember Who Yael Naim Is

noah | August 7, 2008 3:00 am
yael.jpg

Another slow news day brings with it another slew of predictions for Grammy nominations, this time from the bloggers at the LA Times‘ awards blog Gold Derby. Times music writer Todd Martens threw out his predictions for the Best New Artist award last month, prompting Dan Gibson to say that Duffy would probably take home the award and solidify her status as the new, blonder, less-blitzed-out-of-her-mind Amy Winehouse. While both writers, David “Guru” Schnelwar and Darrin “DoubleD” Dortch, have Duffy on their short lists, their other picks are somewhat depressing, if only because they speak to the reasons for the album-sales business being in the toilet loud and clear.

BEST NEW ARTIST — GURU’S PREDIX

(Front-runners)

Sara Bareilles

Duffy

Estelle

The Jonas Brothers

Lady Antebellum

Leona Lewis

Katy Perry

(Possibles)

Adele

Yael Naim

OneRepublic

The Ting Tings

Vampire Weekend

(Long Shots)

Marie Digby

Little Jackie

Ingrid Michaelson

Kate Nash

Justin Nozuka

Charlotte Sometimes

Thriving Ivory

BEST NEW ARTIST — DOUBLED’S PREDIX (Front-runners)

Leona Lewis

Duffy

Estelle

(Possibles)

Jordin Sparks

OneRepublic

Sara Bareilles

Vampire Weekend

(Long Shots)

Adele

Katy Perry

Lady Antebellum

What may be saddest about both these lists: The one band who could actually be seen as anything beyond a one-hit wonder is Vampire Freaking Weekend, who at least have critical . (Jordin Sparks might also transcend this label, although the Idol connection puts her on a different level.) But really, Sara Bareilles? Katy Perry? OneRepublic? Yael “30-Second Clip Wonder” Naim, who should really be angling for that jingle award, should it come to exist? Even Leona Lewis hasn’t really had a second monster single yet, although she is still selling albums at a decent clip.

Also, is there any chance that a hip-hop artist might sneak in there, a possibility that hasn’t even been hinted at by any of these predictions? Surely Soulja Boy’s tireless commitment to self-promotion should at least get him some sort of nod.

Grammy predix [Gold Derby]

Tags: