The Man Most Likely To...

Best R&B Performance By A Male

Five days ‘til the Grammys and Krysten and I decided to hit you up with our two cents (which are strictly personal and do not represent the thoughts, beliefs or sentiments of BET or BET/CENTRIC) about the top R&B and Soul categories and who we think are a shoe-in for a win, or are they? What do you think?

Anthony Hamilton “The Point Of It All” from The Point Of It All [So So Def] If so much of the Grammys weren’t a popularity contest, Hamilton would win this category for what is quietly his comeback hour.  This ode to his wife has the matter of fact tone that made Bill Withers an icon, the harmonic closer is pure D’Angelo, but the straight from the heart sentiment is what makes Hamilton one of the most honest artist of his time.

Maxwell “Pretty Wings” from Blacksummers’ Night [Columbia] Not many folks understand what this song is about, but vocally it’s closer to the Maxwell we all knew and loved than the gritty soul singer who returned to us after that curious eight-year hiatus. It also took him to #1. Grammys love to hail the conquering hero and I suspect Maxwell fits the bill. Prediction: Winner unless Uncle Charlie slides into home plate.

Musiq Soulchild  “Sobeautiful” from OnMyRadio [Atlantic] Gorgeous, elegiac and a marked return to the classic sound that got lost for a time, say from “B.U.D.D.Y.” to “Radio.” Musiq carried all of Philly Soul on his back this year, and he wore it well. While it’s not the timeless hit that “Who Knows,” “Love,” and “DontChange” are and doesn’t have a chance in hell of beating Max and Unc, it’s a fine piece of music.

The Sleeper...Don't Sleep On Unc

Pleasure P “Under” from The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper [Swagga Ent./Atlantic] This Pretty Ricky alum may have scored a chart-topping kiddie hit out of this ear grater, but that doesn’t make it Grammy-worthy. In a year of phenomenal male performances from credible and incredible artists, I can only think that Grammy voters were suckered by a pre-Grammy nomination campaign or this is one guilty pleasure I’ll never ever understand. For ever, ever? For ever, ever, indeed.

Charlie Wilson “There Goes My Baby” from Uncle Charlie [Jive Records] Thirty plus years with no signs of slowing down, Charlie Wilson is long overdue for a Grammy win. This Babyface/Calvin Richardson penned bit of brill is exactly what the mature crowd (and older Grammy voters) has been missing from contemporary soul: a loving, melodic song with a killer hook. Prediction: As the first runner-up in a head-to-head popularity contest against Maxwell, Uncle Charlie still has the history to steal the show.

TAGS: Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, Pleasure P, Uncle Charlie