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Grammys 2014: Pop & Hiss picks its winners

Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar performing at the Power 105.1's Powerhouse Concert in New York in November.
Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar performing at the Power 105.1’s Powerhouse Concert in New York in November.
(Brad Barket / Invision)
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And the Grammy goes to ... Lorde? Macklemore & Ryan Lewis? Kendrick Lamar? Taylor Swfit? Daft Punk?

Who comes out on top during the 56th annual ceremony is anyone’s guess.

But if it were up to The Times’ staff of pop music writers, critics and editors, 17-year-old Lorde would make Grammy history, Lamar’s rise from West Coast mix tape rapper to superstar would surely be rewarded and Daft Punk’s slinky comeback would definitely “Get Lucky.” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis? They wouldn’t even be in the race.

RELATED: Play-at-home ballot

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The official Grammy winners won’t be revealed until Sunday evening, but below are the Pop & Hiss team’s picks for who we feel should win the night’s big races.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“The Blessed Unrest,” Sara Bareilles

“Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk

“good kid, m.A.A.d city,” Kendrick Lamar

“The Heist,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“Red,” Taylor Swift

Lamar delivered one of the most striking debuts in recent memory and was on all but one of our ballots. Pop music critic Randall Roberts chose Taylor Swift’s hits-filled “Red.”

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Get Lucky,” Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams

“Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons

“Royals,” Lorde

“Locked Out of Heaven,” Bruno Mars

“Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell Williams

Sorry, “Blurred Lines.” The Pop & Hiss staff was swayed toward the other song that burned up radio and dance floors all summer. But according to Times pop music editor Lorraine Ali’s ballot, “Locked Out of Heaven” could be a dark horse.

FULL COVERAGE: Grammy nominations 2014

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SONG OF THE YEAR

“Just Give Me a Reason” (Pink featuring Nate Ruess)

“Locked Out of Heaven” (Bruno Mars)

“Roar” (Katy Perry)

“Royals” (Lorde)

“Same Love” (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert)

Lorde emerged as a pop prodigy and added much-needed bite to radio with her sharp critique of pop opulence. If it was up to Times writer Mikael Wood, the win would go to Katy Perry’s booming anthem “Roar.”

BEST NEW ARTIST

James Blake

Kendrick Lamar

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Kacey Musgraves

Ed Sheeran

Another near sweep for Lamar, though Wood is rooting for Musgraves. Roberts’ ballot tapped Macklemore & Ryan Lewis as the winner, adding more fuel to their front-runner fire. But crazier things can happen: Sheeran could walk away with the win (though none of the ballots selected the singer-songwriter).

The winners were voted on by Times music writers August Brown, Gerrick Kennedy, Mikael Wood; Times pop music critic Randall Roberts; jazz critic and deputy pop music editor Chris Barton; and Times pop music editor Lorraine Ali.

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