Some More Quick Picks

Paul Grein predicts who will win Grammy Awards in other key categories, while Robert Hilburn declares who deserves to win.

FEMALE POP VOCAL

Will win (Paul Grein): Celine Dion’s nominations in the top categories give “Because You Loved Me” an edge here over Toni Braxton and Jewel.

Should win (Robert Hilburn): Toni Braxton.

MALE POP VOCAL

Will win: Eric Clapton’s “Change the World” will ride the Babyface bandwagon.

Should win: The Tony Rich Project’s “Nobody Knows.”

MALE ROCK VOCAL

Will win: Beck (“Where It’s At”) has a slight edge in a rematch with Bruce Springsteen (“Dead Man Walkin’ ”), who beat him two years ago.

Should win: Beck throws off the most sparks.

FEMALE ROCK VOCAL

Will win: Tracy Chapman (“Give Me One Reason”) will win as consolation for coming so close in the top categories.

Should win: Chapman by default.

HARD ROCK

Will win: With their seven nominations, the Smashing Pumpkins (“Bullet With Butterfly Wings”) tower over the competition.

Should win: Rage Against the Machine rocks hardest with “Bulls on Parade.”

ALTERNATIVE

Will win: This is the Pumpkins’ year with “Mellon Collie.”

Should win: Note to the evening’s musical director: If Beck gets called to the stage, as he should, play “Loser.”

BEST R&B; PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL

Will win: The Fugees can’t miss with their hip-hop update of the Grammy favorite “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

Should win: The Fugees.

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP

Will win: With 2Pac’s support split between two tracks, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony pulls ahead with “Tha Crossroads.”

Should win: In an especially strong group of entries, 2Pac’s “California Love,” a funky marvel, over the stylishly designed “Tha Crossroads.”

FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL

Will win: Youth will be served. Fourteen-year-old torch singer LeAnn Rimes leads the pack with “Blue.”

Should win: Deana Carter’s nostalgic “Strawberry Wine” over the Cline mimic.

PRODUCER

Will win: Babyface is a cinch.

Should win: Babyface.