No doubt about it, it's been the year of Adele. And when one of music's most respected figures says it, you can't help but agree.
Legendary record producer and music executive Clive Davis sat and talked with R&B singers Brandy and Monica on Thursday, and they were all on the same page when it came to who they wanted to see take home the big prizes at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.
They're fans of Rihanna, but they'd love British singer Adele to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. Both singers are up for the big prize, along with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and the Foo Fighters.
"You know, it's so hard because to me you can't really choose one person when you know about both of their journeys. Rihanna is somebody I love because she's OK with self. That's something that's always been resonated through her and her music," Monica said. "I play 'You Da One' all day. When I think about my husband I play 'You Da One.'
"But Adele's voice is so amazingly beautiful," Monica continued. "And the fact that she embodies the soul that you [talking to mentor Davis] used to tell me in the early '90s not to be afraid of ... He used to say, 'Sing it big, sing it strong.' Looking at her, she does that every time she hits the stage."
Davis added that Adele brings back that old soul, and he appreciates her big voice and style of music.
"All the nominees — it's a worthy thing to get nominated, but this has been the year of Adele," Davis said. "No disrespect to any other nominee. In this era where there is perhaps too much electronica and dance music ... I love it. It's inventive, but it should not be the totality of what is exposed. She has just come back with pure music. Just throwing her head back and singing out with full voice, but songs that resonate as well."
Davis continued, saying, "It's been an incredible impact on music and worthy of being singled out, as I'm sure it will be."
As for Brandy, she's tossing her support behind the singer that her daughter Sy'rai adores. Naturally, it's Adele.
"My daughter is in love with Adele. She listens to her every day," Brandy said. "To see someone with that much passion and soul move a 9-year-old is amazing and it's magical."
Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!