Lil Wayne / Coldplay's Chris Martin / M.I.A.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards feature an amazing roster of performers, including U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, and many more. (Watch the show Sunday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. on CBS.) And, it turns out, the Recording Academy is also giving out a few shiny awards. Below, read our predictions for who should win and who will win. Then post your comments.

Lil Wayne

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

- Viva La Vida - Coldplay

- Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne

- Year Of The Gentleman - Ne-Yo
- Raising Sand - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

- In Rainbows - Radiohead

Should win: You could make a good argument for any of these albums, but in terms of innovation, talent, and general zeitgeistiness, Tha Carter III was the year's best.

Will win: Coldplay are as close as a band from this decade comes to being U2-style rock gods. They get rewarded for keeping that particular banner flying.

Coldplay

BEST ROCK ALBUM:

- Viva La Vida - Coldplay

- Rock n Roll Jesus - Kid Rock
- Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
- Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
- Death Magnetic - Metallica

- Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs

Should win: Death Magnetic was a great return to form, but so was Viva La Vida, and Coldplay's effort was galvanizing, hopeful, and extroverted where the other nominated albums were insular and narrow in focus.

Will win: Chris Martin and Co. are in the absolute prime of their career. You can't say that for the other nominees in this category. This is Coldplay's time.

Radiohead

BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM:

- In Rainbows - Radiohead
- Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket

- Modern Guilt - Beck
- Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie

- The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley

Should win: At their best, which is where In Rainbows found them, Radiohead marry sonic ingenuity with deep emotion and compelling tunes like no other rock band.

Will win: I'm a bit worried that the voters will slap Radiohead on the wrist for their pay-what-you-want scheme, but I think they take the high road and reward the much-deserving Oxford lads.

Lil Wayne

BEST RAP ALBUM:

- American Gangster - Jay Z

- Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne

- The Cool - Lupe Fiasco

- Nas - Nas


- Paper Trail - T.I.

Should win: Tha Carter III proved what Lil Wayne's been saying for years -- he's the best rapper alive.

Will win: I wouldn't be completely shocked if T.I. pulled an upset, but even people who don't regularly listen to the genre know that Weezy ran the rap game in 2008.

Adele

BEST NEW ARTIST:

- Adele

- Duffy

- Jonas Brothers
- Lady Antebellum

- Jazmine Sullivan

Should win: Adele writes beautiful, well-constructed songs, sings like a dream, and is sassy to boot. Unfortunately, crass as it may sound, I worry that her regular gal looks are a hindrance.

Will win: Jonas Brothers, if only as a nod to the screaming hordes of teenage girls who still actually buy records.

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