Oddsmakers are predicting that the already-commercially-driven nominations at the 2011 Grammy Awards will result in victories for the most high-profile mainstream stars.
Gambling website BetUS.com currently lists Eminem as a massive frontrunner to take the Album of the Year prize. Listed at -800, the rapper’s “Recovery” is the runaway favorite right now, with Lady Gaga’s “The Fame Monster” following all the way back at +400. Other nominees in the race include The Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” (+550), Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” (+1200) and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” (+1500).
Though the odds are not as favorable, Eminem is also the frontrunner to take home the trophy in the Record of the Year and a contender for Song of the Year. For record, his “Love the Way You Lie (featuring Rihanna)” leads with a strong -125. Close behind is Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” which tops Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” (+200), BoB’s “Nothin on You (featuring Bruno Mars)” (+800) and Cee-Lo Green’s “F*ck You” (+800).
In the song category, “F*ck You” currently leads with +125. “Lie” sits at +200, behind Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” (+175) but ahead of Miranda Lambert’s “The House that Built Me” (+400) and Ray LaMontagne’s “Beg Steal or Borrow” (+600).
Fresh off the box office success of his “Never Say Never,” Justin Bieber is in the “big four” Grammy mix as a strong frontrunner for Best New Artist. Bieber sits at -300, beating out Drake (+300), Florence + The Machine (+300), Mumford & Sons (+1000) and Esperanza Spalding (+3000).
Of note is the fact that artists with target audiences like that of Bieber do not commonly win the Best New Artist prize. In 2009, the Jonas Brothers lost out to Adele. Taylor Swift’s 2008 nomination was spoiled by Amy Winehouse, while Chris Brown fell victim to Carrie Underwood in 2007. During the late-90s, Hanson and the Backstreet Boys both lost in their campaigns for the Best New Artist prize.
