The unveiling of the 2026 GRAMMYS nominations signals the start of a new season in contemporary music, celebrating diversity, innovation, and excellence. This year’s GRAMMYs expands its recognition to 95 categories, with the introduction of “Best Traditional Country Album” and “Best Album Cover,” affirming the Recording Academy’s dedication to honoring unique artistry and evolving musical trends. The keyphrase “2026 GRAMMYS nominations” stands at the forefront of music headlines, ensuring everyone tunes in for the celebration.
Major Contenders and Highlights: 2026 GRAMMYS nominations
Leading the 2026 GRAMMYS nominations is Kendrick Lamar, who emerges as the clear frontrunner with nine nods. His sixth studio album “GNX” dominates the field and together with single “Luther” puts him in contention for Record, Song, and Album of the Year. Lamar’s career now features 66 Grammy nominations and 22 wins, but the coveted Album of the Year trophy still eludes him.
Lady Gaga continues her robust streak, garnering seven nominations for her album “Mayhem,” including her first appearance in all three major categories since 2010, competing for Record, Song, and Album of the Year with hits like “Abracadabra”. Gaga’s critical and popular appeal persists, marking her as a defining voice of the decade.
Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas also make significant strides. Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” and “Man’s Best Friend,” and Leon Thomas’s “Mutt” represent the global musical landscape, each collecting six nominations and pushing the boundaries of mainstream success.
The “Big Four” Categories: 2026 GRAMMYS nominations
2026 GRAMMYS nominations: Album of the Year
- Kendrick Lamar – “GNX”
- Lady Gaga – “Mayhem”
- Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
- Justin Bieber – “Swag”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
- Clipse – “Let God Sort Em Out”
- Leon Thomas – “Mutt”
- Tyler, the Creator – “Chromakopia”
Song of the Year
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA – “Luther”
- Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
- Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
- Doechii – “Anxiety”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT”
- Hunter/x – “Golden”
Record of the Year
- Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
- Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA – “Luther”
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Doechii – “Anxiety”
- Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Chappell Roan – “The Subway”
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT”
Best New Artist
2026 GRAMMYS nominations: Diversity Across Genres
The complete 2026 GRAMMYS nominations celebrate innovation in pop, rap, R&B, country, global, jazz, and more. Not only do established acts shine, but new voices—such as Olivia Dean, Addison Rae, and Lola Young—make their first appearances, highlighting fresh directions in songwriting and performance. Celebrity presenters like Chappell Roan, KAROL G, and Mumford & Sons announced the nominees during the official livestream, amplifying excitement and anticipation.
Producer and Songwriter Highlights
Prominent producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut, as well as mixing engineer Serban Ghenea, stand out for their work across top albums, each earning seven or more nominations. This signals a growing recognition of behind-the-scenes creative forces as vital contributors to major releases.
New GRAMMY Categories in 2026
Change is at the heart of this year’s event. The 2026 GRAMMYS introduce “Best Traditional Country Album” and “Best Album Cover,” reflecting broader creative perspectives. The former pays homage to classic country traditions, while the latter acknowledges the visual artistry now central to the digital and physical music experience.
Key Changes and Amendments
Recent amendments also affect eligibility criteria, voting procedures, and recognition in Classical and Musical Theater fields. The “Best Country Album” category is now renamed “Best Contemporary Country Album,” further differentiating modern country sound from its traditional roots. Meanwhile, the new randomized ballot order ensures a fairer and more impartial voting process, protecting the integrity of GRAMMY results.
The Peer-Voted GRAMMY Process
Winners are decided by the Recording Academy’s Voting Members—a peer group that includes artists, producers, songwriters, and engineers. Their votes select every nominee and winner, reinforcing the GRAMMYs as music’s only industry-recognized, peer-voted honor.
Global Impact and Cultural Reflection
This year, the 2026 GRAMMYS nominations showcase music’s power to unify and inspire across borders. The nominees embody a global wave—Latin, African, and Asian influences intermingle with American pop, rap, and R&B, creating a dynamic, all-encompassing awards landscape. With nominations spanning contemporary powerhouses and new voices, the GRAMMYs champion inclusivity and innovation in an ever-evolving industry.
Viewing the 2026 Ceremony
Fans can watch the 2026 GRAMMY Awards live on CBS and stream worldwide on Paramount+. Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles will host the event, promising memorable performances, heartfelt speeches, and unforgettable moments from nominees and winners. In addition, highlights and exclusive content will be available on live.GRAMMY.com throughout the year.
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