Secret Grammy voters reveal who goes up and who goes down at the end of Stage 1.

After 10 long days of listening, Grammy voting is officially over. That means Recording Academy members submitted ballots to determine who the 2027 nominees will be in all 100 categories. Predicting Grammy nominations can be a very difficult task. This is because there is virtually no pioneer and music is much more subjective than movies or TV. To provide a clearer understanding of who is participating and who may be vulnerable, Gold Derby surveyed three anonymous voters. They shared their unfiltered thoughts on the upcoming awards show and covered recent controversies, the most intriguing major contenders, and a few surprising names that might be on the snub list.

Voter 1: Global music and pop performers
Voter 2: Composer in pop/dance and alternative music
Voter 3: R&B and Hip Hop Artist/Rapper and Producer

Perhaps the biggest topic among Recording Academy members this year was the creation of the Best Asian Pop Performance category and the immediate backlash against it. “I think the new Best Asian Pop Music Act category was well-intentioned but poorly designed,” Voter 1 said when asked what the results were. — Including withdrawal from BTS — It may affect your vote. “K-pop is more than just Asian music. It’s a global phenomenon, and it’s much bigger than a small category. The same goes for Mandopop in China, which has its own huge market and awards ceremony. Artists in these genres should compete in the main categories.”

He added, “Voting won’t necessarily be affected because most big artists didn’t even submit music due to the insults.” Following BTS’ withdrawal, several other groups withdrew from applying for awards, reflecting feelings that the category felt like an exclusionary tactic to justify the ghettoization of Asian artists and the lack of big nominations across the field in general. “It was a historic misjudgment and missed opportunity by the Recording Academy.” Voter 2, who has worked with Asian pop artists, agrees: “It’s sad that this has become such a big story because many of the artists who submitted may not necessarily feel good about being nominated. I wouldn’t be surprised if the category goes away next year.”

As for who’s name will appear on the voter’s ballot, several expected names were mentioned. The only artist highlighted by all three voters was British superstar Olivia Dean, who despite last-minute plagiarism allegations is currently the frontrunner for Album, Record and Song of the Year. Voter 2, along with Voter 1, raved about Raye, another soulful Brit. “She’s a breath of fresh air among the overproduced pop music,” he says. “Her story is so moving and the music is amazing. Made with meticulous attention to detail, from the instrumentation to her lyricism, it’s one of the most ambitious albums I’ve heard in a very long time,” added Voter 2. There can be hope in this musicIt is also expected to be nominated in the Album, Record and Song of the Year categories. Voter 1 says this about both artists: “I love Olivia Dean and Raye. […]. Dean reminds me of a young Dionne Warwick with her Motown sound. Her voice sings elegant melodies like a soft trumpet. Raye is more extreme and her singing, songwriting and producing abilities are off the charts.”

Voter 3 also has a third Superstar on his favorite records of the year. “Voting for Noah wasn’t a difficult decision. [Kahan]. He is one of the best poets around.”

As for Voter 3, their choice for Artist of the Year may surprise you, but her commercial success speaks volumes. “Ella Langley. I might be Ella-Fella. [Langley’s die-hard fandom] At this point. She’s undeniable and inescapable, and it’s been a while since an artist has had that kind of impact.” Of course, Voter 3 is referring to Langley’s commercial dominance. “Choosin’ Texas” is a hit single, breaking the record for most weeks at No. 1 of all time. billboard Hot 100. When asked about Langley, Voter 2 was less enthusiastic. “That type of music isn’t really my thing.”

As a type of music, country may be underrepresented at the Grammy Awards in general, but one genre that made a big stride with last year’s nominations was rap, which received three nominations in the Album of the Year category. But this year, most experts predict the genre won’t receive any major nominations in the Big Three categories. Voter 3 seemed to agree, despite working primarily in rap music. “I think it would be amazing if there was hip-hop and R&B this year. [artists] Make your way to some of these generals [categories]. I mean Olivia Rodrigo, Olivia Dean, Ella… [artists in other genres] When asked who could be an exception in hip-hop, they added, “I think the people I would want to go into that would be Rapsody, Cardi B, Don Toliver and Baby Keem.” “The competition will be very fierce this year.”

Finally, while discussing which trends from the 2025-2026 cycle could repeat themselves this year, voters were excited about the possibility of a second consecutive Hispanic artist receiving a nomination from Rosalía. luxFollowing Bad Bunny’s historic win last year I should have taken more pictures. “I think lux It was selected as Album of the Year. It is a true work of art. She sings in 13 languages, inspired by the lives of 13 female saints from history. Each song is poetic in its arrangement and lyrics. She utilizes all live musicians, engages incredible collaborators like Caroline Shaw and El Guincho, and fuses classical and pop. Voter 1 says: “I hope Bad Bunny’s win last year is a sign that voters are open to Spanish-language music as a major winner, but I doubt that will be the case.”

Voter 2 was equally excited, but more hopeful. “I’ve been a fan for a long time. Her musicianship is crazy and all my fellow bandmates rave about her,” they say. “It would be crazy for her to at least miss out on a nomination. It’s an album made for a different music producer.”

Are there any interesting omissions? We admit this is a small sample size, but Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and other Grammy giants with critically disfavored albums were notably absent from the voters’ debate. Voter 2 says: “He’s a great artist, but I prefer something a little fresher.”

Perhaps the academy is changing after all. We’ll find out for sure when the nominees are revealed on November 16th.

Gold Derby’s Grammy Nomination Odds