Students, faculty pick their Grammy favorites

By Adam Dodson/reporter

Students and faculty were not exactly on pins and needles with anticipation of the Grammy Awards Feb. 8, but most did have opinions on their favorites.

Third-year student Don Johnson said he used to care more about the Grammies before they started making so many choices he didn’t agree with but said he would “probably still watch it.”
The choices for Record of the Year include “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, “Chandelier” by Sia, “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith, “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift and “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor. “Sam Smith is who I would want to win,” Johnson said. Then he paused for a second, “But did you say ‘All About That Bass’? Yeah, that one might get it.”

Sophomore Dakota Lanrese said the Grammies aren’t really the biggest thing on his mind, but he cares “a lot about music” and “will watch it to see how it goes.”

Lanrese said “All About That Bass” is catchy and could win, but he was less enthusiastic about Iggy Azalea.

“I don’t think she’s good, but I mean she won Rap Album of the Year (AMA), so you never know,” he said.

First-year music students Kayla Castaneda and Reagan Stevens agreed that Sam Smith and Meagan Trainor are the favorites to win Record of the Year but were split when it comes to Album of the Year. In unison and with equally surprised looks at one another, Castaneda said “Ed Sheeran” as Stevens said “Beyonce.”

Philippe Baugh, NE jazz studies program director, recognized the self-aggrandizement of industry awards ceremonies but said he could appreciate them for what they are. In fact, he said the live orchestra for the show gives work to serious musicians, some of whom are his  friends.

Baugh said his 4-year-old daughter likes Pharrell Williams, and he finds him talented as well.
Baugh, though, took a pass on comparing music now to music in the past.

“The pop music made from when I was a kid and the pop music now, it’s no better or worse,” he said. “It just is.”