Grammys 2026: Full List of Nominations Revealed with Kendrick Lamar Leading

Get the scoop on the 2026 Grammy nominations, featuring Kendrick Lamar at the forefront with nine nods, plus all the key contenders across genres.

Kendrick Lamar Dominates the 2026 Grammy Nominations

The Recording Academy just dropped the full list of 2026 Grammy nominations, and boy, it’s a lineup that’s got us buzzing! Leading the pack with a whopping nine nominations is none other than Kendrick Lamar, whose latest album GNX has clearly struck a chord. This year’s ceremony promises to be a star-studded affair, set for February 1 in Los Angeles and airing live on CBS and Paramount+.

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Kendrick’s nine nods outpace big names like Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and producer Cirkut, who have seven nominations each. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas, Serban Ghenea, and Bad Bunny all snag six nods apiece. It’s a fierce competition for sure!

The Big Three: Album, Record, and Song of the Year

If you’re a fan of the Grammy "big three" – Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year – you’re in for a treat. Kendrick, Gaga, Carpenter, and Bad Bunny are all in the running for all three categories. Other notable artists with nominations in these prestigious slots include Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Tyler, The Creator.

Catch the announcement live on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel here:
https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=ypcQnniMFLM

Unique Highlights and Genre Battles

One standout is the track Golden from KPop Demon Hunters, grabbing four nominations – a nod to the growing influence of KPop in global music.

Also, the Best Alternative Music Album category is packed with heavy hitters like Bon Iver, The Cure, Wet Leg, Hayley Williams, and Tyler, The Creator all duking it out for the win.

Keep in mind, the eligibility period for this year's Grammys was from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025, so Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl, released after this cutoff, won’t be in the running.

The 2026 Grammy Nominations: A Deep Dive

Album of the Year

• Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTOs
• Justin Bieber – Swag
• Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
• Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
• Lady Gaga – Mayhem
• Kendrick Lamar – GNX
• Leon Thomas – Mutt
• Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

Record of the Year

• Bad Bunny – DtMF
• Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
• Doechii – Anxiety
• Billie Eilish – Wildflower
• Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
• Kendrick Lamar with SZA – Luther
• Chappell Roan – The Subway
• Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT.

Song of the Year

• Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
• Doechii – Anxiety
• Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT.
• Bad Bunny – DtMF
• Huntr/x (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami) – Golden (from KPop Demon Hunters)
• Kendrick Lamar with SZA – Luther
• Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
• Billie Eilish – Wildflower

Best New Artist

• Olivia Dean
• KATSEYE
• The Marias
• Addison Rae
• Sombr
• Leon Thomas
• Alex Warren
• Lola Young

Songwriters, Producers, and More

The Songwriter of the Year non-classical category features Amy Allen, Edgar Barrera, Jessie Jo Dillon, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Laura Veltz.

Producers to watch in the Non-Classical category include Dan Auerbach, Cirkut, Dijon, Blake Mills, and Sounwave.

Pop Categories Spotlight

Best Pop Solo Performance
Justin Bieber – Daisies
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Lady Gaga – Disease
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Lola Young – Messy

Best Pop Vocal Album
Justin Bieber – Swag
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful
Lady Gaga – Mayhem
Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
Huntr/x – Golden
KATSEYE – Gabriela
Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT.
SZA with Kendrick Lamar – 30 for 30

Dance and Electronic Vibes

The Best Dance Pop Recording category is stacked with artists like Selena Gomez & benny blanco (Bluest Flame), Lady Gaga (Abracadabra), Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, and PinkPantheress.

In Best Dance/Electronic Album and Recording categories, expect fierce competition from FKA twigs, Fred again.., PinkPantheress, Rüfüs Du Sol, Skrillex, Disclosure, Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada, and Tame Impala.

The Rap Realm

The Best Rap Album nominees include Clipse, GloRilla, JID, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, The Creator.

For Best Rap Song, keep an ear out for Doechii, Clipse featuring John Legend, Tyler, The Creator with GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne, GloRilla solo, and Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay.

Kendrick also shines in Best Melodic Rap Performance alongside Fridayy, JID, Terrace Martin, and PartyNextDoor.

R&B and Soulful Sounds

Best R&B Album nominees range from Givēon to Coco Jones, Ledisi, Teyana Taylor, and Leon Thomas.

In the R&B song and performance categories, the likes of Kehlani, Summer Walker, Chris Brown, Durand Bernarr, and Leon Thomas dominate.

Traditional and Progressive R&B categories also spotlight incredible talents like Lalah Hathaway, SZA, Bilal, and Terrace Martin.

Rock, Metal, and Alternative Highlights

Rock Album contenders include Deftones, Haim, Linkin Park, Turnstile, and Yungblud, while the Best Rock Song nods go to Nine Inch Nails, Sleep Token, Hayley Williams, Turnstile, and Yungblud.

Metal enthusiasts will find Dream Theater, Ghost, Sleep Token, Spiritbox, and Turnstile in the running.

Alternative Music categories feature Bon Iver, The Cure, Wet Leg, Hayley Williams, and Tyler, The Creator battling for supremacy.

Latin and Global Music Categories

Bad Bunny leads the Música Urbana album section with DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, while the Música Mexicana and Latin Pop albums showcase artists like Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera, Rauw Alejandro, and Karol G.

Global and African music categories celebrate talents such as Burna Boy, Davido, Angélique Kidjo, Siddhant Bhatia, and Anoushka Shankar.

Other Standout Categories

• Best Musical Theater Album includes titles like Buena Vista Social Club and Gypsy.
• Best Reggae Album nominees feature Lila Iké, Vybz Kartel, and Jesse Royal.
• Comedy albums bring in big names like Bill Burr, Sarah Silverman, and Jamie Foxx.
• Audiobook and narration nods include Trevor Noah, the Dalai Lama, and Kathy Garver.

Visual and Design Excellence

The Best Music Video category presents works from Sade, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, Doechii, and OK Go.

For Best Album Cover, Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, and Wet Leg’s Moisturizer are among the striking visuals nominated.

Wrapping It Up: What To Expect on Grammy Night

The 2026 Grammy nominations spotlight a vivid tapestry of genres, voices, and artistic expressions. Whether you’re team Kendrick, Gaga, Bad Bunny, or a fresh face ready to break through, this year’s ceremony promises a dazzling musical celebration.

FAQ

• Which artist leads the 2026 Grammy nominations?
  Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations, mainly for his album GNX.
• When and where is the Grammy ceremony held?
  The ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.
• Are Taylor Swift’s recent releases eligible for the 2026 Grammys?
  No, because the eligibility period ended on August 30, 2025.
• Which categories are considered the biggest at the Grammys?
  Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year are the major ones.
• Can I watch the Grammy Awards live online?
  Yes, the ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+.

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