The Grammy nominations 2026 nominees list has landed, and it’s bigger than ever. Announced on November 7, 2025, this year’s roster reflects bold shifts in the music world — from global sounds dominating major categories to established stars and fresh faces vying for top honours. With the 68th Annual Grammy Awards set for February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, we’re entering what could be one of the most open and dynamic years yet.
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What You Need to Know Right Now
Before diving into categories and contenders, here are the essential headlines:
- A record nine nominations for Kendrick Lamar.
- Lady Gaga takes seven nods; Bad Bunny lands six and makes history as the first Spanish-language artist nominated for all three of the Big Four general fields: Album, Record and Song of the Year.
- Two new categories debut in 2026: Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album — signalling the event’s growing ambition and inclusivity.
- The eligibility window runs from August 31, 2024 to August 30, 2025, meaning big names who released after that date won’t appear on this year’s list.
Major Category Breakdown
Here’s how the nominees in the biggest general field categories stack up this year.
Album of the Year
This field pits an eclectic mix of genre-stretching albums from superstardom to breakthrough talent:
- Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny
- Swag — Justin Bieber
- Man’s Best Friend — Sabrina Carpenter
- Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse (Pusha T & Malice)
- MAYHEM — Lady Gaga
- GNX — Kendrick Lamar
- Mutt — Leon Thomas
- Chromakopia — Tyler, the Creator
Each brings a distinct sound, representing Latin, pop, hip-hop, alternative and experimental — underscoring how the Grammys are reflecting broader musical tastes.
Record of the Year
This category rewards the performance & production of a single track. The nominated songs this year include:
- “DtMF” — Bad Bunny
- “Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
- “Anxiety” — Doechii
- “WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish
- “Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
- “luther” — Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- “The Subway” — Chappell Roan
- “APT.” — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
The list spans Latin urban, hyper-pop, mature singer-songwriter, rap collaborations and K-pop adjacent crossover acts — evidence of genre-blending power.
Song of the Year
Recognising songwriting, this list is equally wide-ranging:
- “Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
- “Anxiety” — Doechii
- “APT.” — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- “DtMF” — Bad Bunny
- “Golden” (from KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack) — HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
- “luther” — Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- “Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
- “WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish
The presence of a K-pop soundtrack (“Golden”), alongside Latin and mainstream pop, underlines the Grammys’ expanding global lens.
Best New Artist
Emerging talent gets its spotlight here:
- Olivia Dean
- KATSEYE
- The Marias
- Addison Rae
- Sombr
- Leon Thomas
- Alex Warren
- Lola Young
Some names might already be familiar — thanks to viral moments or streaming breakthroughs — while others are poised for wider exposure in 2026.
Why This Year Stands Out
Several themes make the Grammy nominations 2026 nominees list especially noteworthy:
1. Representation & Global Reach
Bad Bunny’s breakthrough into the major general categories has cultural meaning: he becomes the first artist working primarily in Spanish nominated for Album, Record and Song of the Year. That sends a clear message about language and market barriers melting in the mainstream award space. Latin, Korean, and other international artists now appear in fields historically dominated by English-language pop.
2. Genre Fluidity
Pop, hip-hop, Latin, K-pop, alternative and cross-genre collaborations all intermingle. Artists like Tyler, the Creator and Clipse appear next to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. New Artist nominees cover viral stars and traditional styles. The nominations reflect a music ecosystem no longer strictly boxed.
3. No Clear Favorite = Bigger Surprise Potential
With Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny and others all strong but none obviously dominant (and with huge names absent due to eligibility), the field feels more open than it has in recent years. That means surprise wins, breakout moments and unscripted outcomes.
4. Process & Category Changes Matter
The addition of categories like Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album shows the award organisers are evolving with culture — not just recognising musical output but visual art and genre heritage. Fans should expect not just performances but expanded recognition of creative roles behind the music.
Spotlight on Key Artists
Let’s look at some of the standout artists among the Grammy nominations 2026 nominees.
Kendrick Lamar
Nine nominations: leading the pack. His album GNX is Album of the Year-eligible, and his collaboration “luther” with SZA appears in both Record and Song of the Year. Lamar’s dominance in rap over the past decade continues to translate into broader acclaim in general categories — an indication of hip-hop’s perennial influence.
Lady Gaga
With seven nominations, Gaga is back in full force. Her album MAYHEM tackles themes of fame, transformation and identity. Her nomination haul signals she remains a vital force — crossing pop, theatrical and even art-pop modes.
Bad Bunny
Six nominations; historic first. His album Debí Tirar Más Fotos and single “DtMF” unlock a new milestone for Spanish-language music in the U.S. award circuit. His crossover appeal and genre-hybrid sound have earned him serious recognition.
Sabrina Carpenter
Carpenter earns attention not just as a pop star, but for broadening her sound and securing nominations in major categories. Her album Man’s Best Friend appears among Album of the Year contenders — an impressive feat for a relatively younger artist.
What to Watch Between Now and the Ceremony
With nominations settled, here are what to keep an eye on up to the show:
- Final Voting & Ceremony Date: Voting closes January 5, 2026; winners will be revealed live February 1.
- Rematches & First-Time Winners: Some artists (Lamar, Gaga) have been nominated before without winning in top fields. Others (Bad Bunny, Carpenter) are chasing first wins.
- Live Performances: With such varied nominees, expect genre-blending performances and surprise cross-overs.
- Breakout Artists: The Best New Artist category often foreshadows commercial leaps. Keep tabs on Leon Thomas, The Marias and others.
- Category Evolution: The new categories may produce surprise winners — watch the winners for Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album for signs of how the Academy is shifting.
Why This Matters for U.S. Music Fans
The Grammy nominations 2026 nominees list is more than just who’s up for awards — it offers a snapshot of what’s popular, influential and culturally significant at this moment. For U.S. audiences:
- It reflects a broader taste profile: Latin sounds, bilingual lyrics, K-pop crossovers and streaming-era popularity matter.
- It validates artists who grew via digital platforms and viral moments — not just traditional major-label routes.
- It suggests that the Grammys are paying attention to shifts in how music circulates, how identity and language factor in, and how fans connect globally.
Final Thoughts
The road to the ceremony has begun, and the Grammy nominations 2026 nominees list is a roadmap for what matters in music right now. With genre boundaries blurring, language barriers lowering and surprise contenders moving into major fields, this awards cycle promises to feel fresh, dynamic and—most importantly—reflective of what people are listening to, everywhere.
What artist or album are you rooting for among the Grammy nominations 2026 nominees? Share your prediction below and stay tuned for a night full of big moments.
