Mack Wilds is currently living his (and almost any other artists’) dreams right now. On Friday (Dec. 7), the Staten Island-bred singer/songwriter snatched his very first Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album after dropping off his debut LP New York: A Love Story just three months ago. With competition like Rihanna, Fantasia, Tamar Braxton and his producer/mentor Saalam Remi, who signed Wilds to his Ra Mi Fa imprint, stacked up against him, the 24-year-old crooner is solely focusing on future hard work and the recognition he’s receiving among his peers. “Honestly to be nominated with the likes of a Rihanna, a Tamar Braxton, especially after the year that Tamar has had and who Rihanna is–even Fantasia–it makes me feel like, it’s crazy.”

While the former 90210 actor’s celeb-heavy circle and fans are still praising his Grammy nod, we caught up with the budding star to see how he’s taking handling the salute and who he predicts will take home a gramophone trophy on Jan. 26. –Niki McGloster