The 2026 GRAMMY Nominations

The 2026 GRAMMY Nominations: A Celebration of Global Sounds, Bold Voices, and the Future of Music

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The 2026 GRAMMY Nominations: On 2 November 2025, the music world got a jolt of excitement when the nominations for the 2026 GRAMMYs were revealed by the Recording Academy. What emerged is a list that not only reflects the sounds of August 31 2024 to August 30 2025, but also signals major shifts in how we listen to, create, and celebrate music.
In this blog, we’ll unpack the key moments from the nominations: who’s leading, what’s changed, and why it all matters- for artists, fans and the industry alike.

The 2026 GRAMMY Nominations

Big Winners Before the Ceremony:

One of the first things worth noting: who dominated the nomination list this year?

  • Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with nine nominations, putting him squarely in the mix in major categories such as Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Close behind is Lady Gaga, with seven nominations.

  • Meanwhile, the Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny made GRAMMY history: his Spanish-language album and singles garnered nods in the Big Four categories (Album, Record, Song, and Best New Artist) — marking the first time a Spanish-language artist has achieved this.

These numbers don’t just reflect individual achievement; they point to larger trends in music today (more on that next).

What’s New This Year?

New Categories & Rule Changes:

The 2026 ceremony will also be the first to include two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. 
Also, the Best Country Album category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album. These changes indicate the Recording Academy’s intention to evolve and reflect more kinds of musical craft.

Broader Genre Representation & Global Reach

Looking through the list of nominees, several key points emerge:

  • Latin music is no longer peripheral in major categories: Bad Bunny’s nominations for Album of the Year and Record of the Year highlight an increasing crossover into mainstream recognition.

  • K-pop and global-genre influence are present too: for example, the song “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars earned a nomination in Song of the Year.

  • The eligibility window (Aug 31 2024 – Aug 30 2025) means some major releases just missed the cut — which in turn may have left space for new voices to emerge.

Standout Categories & Nominees:

Album of the Year:

This year’s nominees for Album of the Year include:

  • Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny

  • SWAG by Justin Bieber

  • Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter

  • Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse (with Pusha T & Malice)

  • MAYHEM by Lady Gaga

  • GNX by Kendrick Lamar

  • MUTT by Leon Thomas

  • CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator

Record of the Year:

Some notable nominees:

  • “DtMF” by Bad Bunny

  • “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter

  • “Anxiety” by Doechii

  • “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish

  • “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga

  • “luther” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA

  • “The Subway” by Chappell Roan

  • “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

Best New Artist:

Emerging names ready for big moments:

  • Olivia Dean

  • KATSEYE (global girl group)

  • The Marias

  • Addison Rae

  • Sombr

  • Leon Thomas

  • Alex Warren

  • Lola Young

What Does It All Signify?

For Artists:

Getting nominated is more than a badge of honour—it’s validation. For heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga, it reinforces their staying power. For newcomers, it signals an invitation to the big stage. And for artists in non-English or global genres, the nods show that language or region are less limiting than ever before.

For the Industry:

The expansion of categories and shift toward inclusivity reflect changing consumption patterns: streaming, global flows, genre-mixing. The Recording Academy’s updates (new categories, eligibility tweaks) show awareness that the music ecosystem is evolving.

For Fans:

For listeners, this means the next GRAMMY ceremony isn’t just about the same big pop/rock names — it’s likely to spotlight a broader, more diverse palette. It invites us to explore beyond the usual, and cheer for music that maybe previously flew under the radar.

Key Trends Worth Watching:

  • Latin & Global Music Rising: Bad Bunny’s major nominations mark a milestone for Spanish-language artists.

  • Genre Blending & Crossover: The presence of global acts and K-pop adjacent names means the borders between genres are getting blurrier.

  • Spotlight On Songwriters & Producers: Categories such as Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical (with nominees like Amy Allen, Edgar Barrera, Laura Veltz) underscore the value placed on behind-the-scenes creators.

  • Alternative, Hip-Hop & Beyond: Hip-hop is strong this year (Kendrick Lamar) and alternative/rock are still well represented (Tyler, The Creator). The field is wide.

  • Eligibility & Timing Really Matter: Some big names missed out this year because their releases fell outside the window – a reminder of how technical and exact the process is.

Looking Ahead to the Ceremony:

The show is scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Ahead of that, voting by the Recording Academy members opens December 12 2025 through January 5 2026. 
What will we be on the lookout for?

  • Which nom-heavy artists convert nominations into wins?

  • Will any first-time nominees break through?

  • How will the new categories play out in terms of recognition and impact?

  • Will a non-English language work finally take one of the Big Four awards?

Final Thoughts:

This year’s nomination list is not just a list of names – it’s a mirror reflecting where music stands right now: global, genre-fluid, and dynamically creative. For fans, it means exciting listening ahead. For artists and industry players, it signals a moment of both opportunity and competition.

The nominations remind us: music isn’t static. It evolves. And awards like the GRAMMYs are evolving along with it. Whether you’re rooting for a favourite, discovering new sounds, or just curious about what’s next — one thing’s for sure: the 2026 GRAMMYs are shaping up to be a moment worth watching.

So tune in, listen closely, and enjoy the ride – because when the winners are announced, we’ll not only be celebrating them… but the state of music itself.

Here are the 2026 Grammy Awards nominations

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