2012 Grammy Awards Winners – PopCrush Predictions

The 2012 Grammy Awards are just a few days away, and some of pop's hottest artists are nominated in the biggest Grammy categories. So, who will be the big winner at the 2012 Grammys?

Both Adele and Bruno Mars have received nods for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year, with Kanye West, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga also making appearances in some of the individual categories. Meanwhile, rappers Nicki Minaj and J. Cole are also nominated against dubstep DJ Skrillex, alt-rockers Bon Iver, and country trio the Band Perry in the Best New Artist category.

With the Grammys set to air on Feb. 12, PopCrush is going out a limb and making some of our own winner predictions for the biggest awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Album of the Year. Check out our picks for the 2012 Grammy winners in these four main categories below.

- RECORD OF THE YEAR
Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep’ -- OUR PICK
Bon Iver, ‘Holocene’
Bruno Mars, ‘Grenade’
Mumford & Sons, ‘The Cave’
Katy Perry, ‘Firework’

Why She'll Win: Adele landed her first No. 1 single in the U.S. with 'Rolling in the Deep.' Oh yeah, and the song also shot to No. 1 in 10 other countries! The song topped Billboard's year-end Hot 100 chart at the close of 2011, and was included on countless 'Best of' lists at the close of last year. It has garnered tons of airplay across a wide variety of radio genres, and has also been certified platinum six times by the RIAA. Bruno Mars, Bon Iver, and Mumford & Sons could give her a run for her money, but we think Adele's got this one on lockdown.

- SONG OF THE YEAR
Kanye West, ‘All of the Lights’ Feat. Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie (Songwriters: Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West)
Mumford & Sons, ‘The Cave’ (Songwriters: Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston)
Bruno Mars, ‘Grenade’ (Songwriters: Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt)
Bon Iver, ‘Holocene’ (Songwriter: Justin Vernon)
Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep’ (Songwriters: Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth) -- OUR PICK

Why She'll Win: At only 23 years old, Adele can write a tune better than most seasoned veterans. 'Rolling in the Deep' is not only powerful musically, with pounding drums and anxious guitar strumming that convey the song's message perfectly, but Adele's lyrics are also riveting, as she speaks from the perspective of a scorned lover viewing her relationship in hindsight. Paul Epworth, who penned the track with Adele, also helped bring out her no-holds-barred vocals on the track. Once again, while she's got some stiff competition in this category, we're convinced she'll snag Song of the Year as well. 

- BEST NEW ARTIST
The Band Perry
Bon Iver -- OUR PICK
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Why They'll Win: This is a tough one! Some people might be scratching their heads as to why Bon Iver, which is actually the brainchild of Justin Vernon, are nominated for Best New Artist since they dropped their first album in 2008. The Grammys are actually quite liberal with their definition of a "new artist," and anybody who doesn't have at least three full-length albums in their discography can be considered.

The indie-folk outfit only has two thus far, and Vernon and co. had a wildly successful year with their 2011 release 'Bon Iver, Bon Iver,' which boasts their dreamy, mellow, Grammy-nominated single 'Holocene.' The album, which has a very different sound from their first release, also hit No. 1 on the Billboard albums charts and was voted No. 1 by several rock publications on their year-end roundups.

While Nicki Minaj is probably Bon Iver's stiffest competitor, we think she could very well get ousted by the indie rockers. Minaj had a huge year performing and 'Pink Friday' was a big success, but the fact that she didn't produce any of her own tracks on the album (she did pen the rhymes though) and that she doesn't really fit the musician mold (opposed to an extremely marketable pop star) might not work in her favor. The Recording Academy is known for throwing curveballs, and the fact that Arcade Fire won for Album of the Year last year shows just how much the Grammys are beginning to appreciate outstanding alternative rock.

- ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Adele, ’21' -- OUR PICK
Foo Fighters, ‘Wasting Light’
Lady Gaga, ‘Born This Way’
Bruno Mars, ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans’
Rihanna, ‘Loud’

Why She'll Win: Who didn't see this one coming? Not only does Adele's '21' include her chart-topping singles 'Rolling in the Deep,' 'Someone Like You,' and most recently, 'Set Fire to the Rain,' but it also features a slew of other incredible songs like 'Turning Tables,' 'I'll Be Waiting,' 'Rumour Has It,' and 'Don't You Remember.' Adele had a hand in writing 10 of 11 '21' tracks (aside from her haunting cover of the Cure's 'Lovesong'), and worked with acclaimed producers like Rick Rubin, Ryan Tedder and Paul Epworth on the LP.

Like a fashion designer designs a collection for the runway, Adele created an album with a consistent central theme on '21.' Her vocals on '21' are amazing and pretty much flawless, showcasing her vast range on the album tracks. '21' also shot to No. 1 in more than 20 countries worldwide and has been breaking records left and right. Adele's '21' will surely be viewed as a classic in the future, so we might just die from shock if the Recording Academy snubs her for this distinction -- although the chances of that happening seem pretty unlikely.