2026 Grammy Awards: Nominations Shake Up with Heavyweights and Newcomers

The anticipation for the 68th Grammy Awards has officially kicked off with the announcement of nominations on November 7, 2025. The livestream event brought together iconic past winners such as Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Smith, Chappell Roan, and Doechii to celebrate the diverse nominees this year. The nominations feature a blend of music titans and exciting newcomers, promising an electrifying awards show that reflects the current vibrant music landscape. This year, Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nods while Lady Gaga trails close behind with seven nominations.

A Spotlight on Bad Bunny

This year’s nominees shine a light on the emergence of Latin music in mainstream arenas. Bad Bunny, a sensation in the Latin music sphere, received six nominations, which marks a historic moment as he is the first Spanish-language artist to be nominated for the Recording Academy’s top three categories: Album, Record, and Song of the Year. With a highly anticipated halftime show at the 2026 Super Bowl, where he will headline, Bad Bunny’s nominations are a testament to his artistic genius and broad appeal. Other artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar also secured nominations in all three top categories, showcasing the depth and diversity of the music being recognized this year.

A Competitive Song of the Year Race

The Song of the Year category has produced a particularly competitive lineup, making it one of the most sought-after awards of the evening. Leading contenders include Lady Gaga’s comeback single “Abracadabra,” Doechii’s hit “Anxiety,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s empowering anthem “Manchild.” This diverse mix also features tracks from rising artists and even a fictional band, KPop Demon Hunters. Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with SZA titled “Luther” adds to the excitement, promising to deliver memorable moments reminiscent of last year’s award-winning anthem “Not Like Us.” This mix of established artists and newcomers underscores the dynamic nature of today’s music.

Absence of Icons: Beyoncé and Taylor Swift

Notably absent from this year’s nominations are two of the industry’s most celebrated artists, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. After an impressive showing last year, where Beyoncé finally snagged the Album of the Year award for "Cowboy Carter," this year’s split of the Best Country Album category into Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album sparked controversy. While Swift’s absence is attributed to her latest album "The Life of a Showgirl" being released after the eligibility cutoff, both artists have left a notable gap in this year’s competition.

Key Categories and Major Nominees

The nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards showcase a variety of genres and artists, reinforcing the eclectic nature of contemporary music. Notable categories include:

Album of the Year:

• DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny
• SWAG, Justin Bieber
• Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter
• CHROMAKOPIA, Tyler, the Creator

Best New Artist:

• Olivia Dean
• Katseye
• The Marias
• Addison Rae
• Leon Thomas
• Lola Young

Record of the Year:

• “Abracadabra”, Lady Gaga
• “luther”, Kendrick Lamar w/ SZA
• “The Subway”, Chappell Roan
• “DtMF”, Bad Bunny

These nominations indicate that the coming Grammy Awards will celebrate not only mainstream giants but also emerging talent in the music scene.

What to Expect on Grammy Night

The 68th Grammy Awards are set to unfold on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+. While the host has yet to be announced, previous years have seen Trevor Noah at the helm, bringing flair and humor to the event. As the evening approaches, fans will eagerly await to see which artists walk away with the prestigious awards.

For comprehensive insights into this year’s Grammy nominations and to stay updated on the latest news, visit the official Grammy Awards website and dive deeper into the world of music magic!