The Grammys Nominations were released yesterday and the list has left some music fans happy and some wondering why. Some interesting observations from the 2018 Nomination list:

Kendrick Lamar could take Album of the Year but he is against some strong contenders: Jay-Z, Lorde, Bruno Mars, and Childish Gambino.

In an interesting twist. Best Rap Performance pitches Cardi B against her boo Offset (frm The Migos). “Despacito” nets a couple of huge nominations for Luis Fonzi and probably will not be denied an award.

Kesha has completed her redemption story in style, picking up two nominations — her first ever! “Praying.”

One Direction’s Grammys curse endures in the form of an across-the-board snub of Harry Styles’s self-titled album from earlier this year. Oh, also, Taylor Swift’s weird year continues: She’s (almost) nowhere to be found. While Kesha has completed her redemption story in style, picking up two nominations — her first ever! “Praying,”

The news of Jay-Z‘s eight total nominations grabbed the attention of music fans, Hov’s many nominations (previously 59), has never led him to Album of the Year, this is his first attempt at the big prize. Coincidentally it happens just one year after his wifey, Beyonce, contended for the top honor.

Though Taylor Swift’s Reputation didn’t make the Grammys’ eligibility cutoff this year — she’ll be one to watch in 2019 —  but she landed three of her own songs still in the running, including “Look What You Made Me Do.” But the Grammys have spoken: It’s a dud. However, Swift was nominated for her contribution to the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran, who was favored for an Album of the Year nom, appears to have lost his spot to Childish Gambino. Divide has been all but snubbed, picking up only a Best Pop Vocal Album nom, plus a Best Pop Solo Performance nom for “Shape of You.”

Want more observations and possible scenarios for the 2018 Grammy’s? Click here.