Best Single-The Grammy governing board breathed a sigh of relief last year when Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" defeated Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart," a lightweight novelty. The damage to the Grammy reputation won't be as obvious if [Whitney Houston]'s overblown "I Will Always Love You" wins here, but it'll still be a disgrace. For a far more affecting interpretation of the song, try Dolly Parton's original version.

Rap Group or Duo-Digable Planet's silky "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" was the smartest record, but Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dogg's "Nuthin' but a `G' Thang" was a cultural touchstone. The Grammy: to Dre & Snoop.

PHOTO: Digable Planets merits Best New Artist honors for an imaginative debut. / CATHRINE WESSEL; PHOTO: COLOR, Whitney Houston and her "Bodyguard" may have to "settle" for three Grammys. / TED S. WARREN / Los Angeles Times; PHOTO: COLOR, [Sting] deserves to take home a Grammy for his "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" single. / LORI SHEPLER / Los Angeles Times