World-class favorite and British performer, Adele, is set to win big at this year’s Grammy Awards. She received two Grammys in 2009. | Courtesy of grapejuice.net

Correction:The original headline and summary said the Grammy Awards take place on Nov. 20, but they will take place on Feb. 12. The Chimes regrets this error.

The Grammys are the biggest night in the music industry, and each year its nominations bring along surprises, snubs and contentment. This year, the Recording Academy, the machine behind the awards show, slashed the number of categories from 109 to 78, which will certainly lower the number of Grammys artists can walk away with in a night.

A record label must submit material, most likely with the input of the artist, to the Recording Academy. If something is not submitted, it cannot be nominated. All material must be released between Oct. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2011 to be eligible for nomination. Some shocking submissions this year include the decision to submit Beyonce’s relatively unknown “I Was Here” for both Song and Record of the Year, instead of the other five songs that have been released thus far, and the decision to submit “Judas” and “You and I” instead of “Born This Way” and “Edge of Glory” for Lady Gaga.

The Grammys can’t be completely predicted, because the Academy always has something tricky up their sleeves, but here is how I see the nominations playing out for the four general categories…

Album of the Year

• Adele — “21”
  The Grammys love excellent blockbusters, and since “21” is the best-selling album of the year by far, a nomination here is a lock. It will also serve as the foundation for what may, and should be, an Adele sweep in all of the Grammy categories in which she is eligible.
• Kanye West — “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
  This album is incredibly brilliant. It was the best album of 2010 and West is long overdue for an Album of the Year win. His nomination here is a lock due to the album’s unbelievable critical acclaim, but a win is doubtful due to its harsh language and graphic depictions. If you don’t believe me, ask Eminem.
• Tony Bennett — “Duets II”
  The Grammys love to nominate an older act to congratulate their years in the business, and Bennett may just be that act for this very well done album. Plus, the amount of A-list singers he rounded up is extremely impressive.
• Taylor Swift — “Speak Now”
  Though this album is her best, and her songwriting is truly at its greatest, I don’t believe it deserves recognition here the country categories would be plenty. But the Recording Academy seems to love this girl, as evident in her 2009 victory here for “Fearless.”
• Lady Gaga — “Born This Way”
  I tried to listen to this album in order to determine its place in this category, but I couldn’t make it all the way through. What I did listen to, with the exception of two songs, is just unoriginal and completely annoying. But just as with Swift, the Academy seems to be gaga for Gaga.

Record of the Year

• Adele — “Rolling in the Deep”
  This song is a lock here. It was number one for seven weeks, and rides on the signature vibe of Adele. This is the song to beat here.
• Tony Bennett ft. Lady Gaga — “Lady is a Tramp”
  Don’t count Bennett out, there is speculation he could be one of the night’s biggest winners. And Gaga shines in this classic, showing she should have been a jazz singer.
• Bruno Mars — “Grenade”
  And the award for overplayed song of the year goes to…
• Kanye West — “All of the Lights”
  How can the Grammys resist having all of those huge names down on the ballot? From Rihanna to Elton John, from brilliant orchestration and backing to the catchy chorus, this song literally has it all. The only thing that hurts it is its lack of chart performance. It should have been huge, but it just wasn’t.
• Nicki Minaj — “Super Bass”
  “Pink Friday” won’t get the Album of the Year nomination, but this song should get nominated here to honor Minaj for her incredible year.

Song of the Year

(Awarded to the writer)

• Adele — “Rolling in the Deep”
  (Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth)
  Is this even a competition? Not only is the first single from “21” a lock, but it is the likely winner.
• Kanye West — “All of the Lights”
  (Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones and Warren Trotter)
  I was so happy to see that his label chose to submit this song, because it is my favorite by far off of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
• Lady Gaga — “You and I”
  (Lady Gaga)
  It hurts me to say this, but this is one of two good songs off of “Born This Way.” Due to the shutout of “Bad Romance” in both major song categories last year, I see the Academy seeking to make amends this year by recognizing Gaga for her songwriting.
• Taylor Swift — “Back to December”
  (Taylor Swift)
  An odd choice for submission by her label, but she is a great songwriter and the Academy knows that.
• The Civil Wars — “Poison & Wine”
  (Joy Williams, John Paul White and Chris Lindsey)
  This could be the year’s surprise nominee, just as Ray LaMontagne’s “Beg, Steal or Borrow” was last year.

Best New Artist

• Nicki Minaj
  In the last two years, what song hasn’t Minaj guest rapped on? Not only is she locked in for the nomination, but rap’s leading lady’s chances are very high for a win.
• The Band Perry
  There were previous nominations for Swift, Underwood, Lady Antebellum and The Zac Brown Band. The awkwardly titled The Band Perry has this year’s country nomination in this category promised.
• Foster the People
  With their big single “Pumped Up Kicks,” these guys have the indie nomination in this category in their pockets.
• Jessie J
  The best new vocalist among this crop by far, and my personal favorite. Unfortunately, she wasn’t nearly as big here in the U.S. as in the U.K., which could hurt her. But nobody knew who Esperanza Spalding was last year, and look how that turned out.
• Bon Iver
  Surprisingly he is eligible in this category, and since he has been around with a cult following and made some pretty high profile guest spots on West’s “Fantasy,” a nomination here is likely.