2016 Grammy Awards Nominees: Meet Our New Picks Based On Old Favorites Like Taylor Swift & Kendrick Lamar

Ryan Carey-Mahoney | February 12, 2016 11:22 am
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Music’s biggest night will be a battle of the titans. Once-collaborators Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift will duke it out for top honors at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards Monday (February 15) night, with Chris Stapleton, The Weeknd and Alabama Shakes closely behind.

But unless you’re living life under a soundproof rock, you already know that. You’ve been listening to Swift’s 1989 album since it dropped two Falls ago and Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly has been fluttering through your speakers since last March.

It’s time to freshen things up a bit, don’t you think? Well, we thought so too. Looking at the nominees for Album, Record and Song of the Year, as well as Best New Artist, we found some rising artists that you’ll love. Let us introduce you to some of your new favorites!

Like Taylor Swift’s 1989? Meet Troye Sivan’s Blue Neighbourhood

If Swift was a younger boy from the land down under, she would look and sound like Troye Sivan. The Youtuber-turned-pop-sensation’s debut album Blue Neighbourhood is a synth-covered masterpiece, dipping into many of relationship ups and downs you’ve come to love Swift for. Try listening to “Lost Boy” and telling me that you don’t feel where he’s coming from. He’s one to watch.

Like Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”? Meet Vince Staples’ “Norf Norf”

Nowadays just about everyone thinks they rap (cough, Iggy, cough) and they do…just not well. That’s why Kendrick is part of a rare breed: talented lyricist with impeccable flow and a keen social consciousness. He’s a hard one to compare with, but Long Beach’s own Vince Staples definitely has the potential. One listen to “Norf Norf” and you know you’re hearing someone special.

Like Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”? Meet Fleur East’s “Sax”

London’s calling and her name is Fleur East. The diva’s commanding presence and killer pipes on “Sax” will hit you hard and stay there. Interestingly enough, she got her big break on U.K.’s The X Factor with her cover of “Uptown Funk.” It was booming rendition and clearly set her up as the next in line to inherit the funk.

Like Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”? Meet Ashley Monroe’s “The Blade”

If “Girl Crush” is you wanting more out of a relationship, “The Blade” is your next-chapter heartbreak. “You caught it by the handle, and I caught it by the blade,” is not a hook you’ll soon forget. Don’t forget Monroe either.