Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga Lead 2026 Grammy Nominations
The music world is buzzing with anticipation as the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards have been announced. This year, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga are leading the pack, securing multiple nominations across various categories. The nominations also mark a significant milestone for K-Pop, which has broken into the coveted Song of the Year category for the first time. This promises an exciting and diverse ceremony, showcasing the best in music from the past year.
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Lamar and Gaga: Dominating the Nominations
Kendrick Lamar continues his reign as a critical darling, earning an impressive nine nominations, making it the second consecutive year he’s topped the list. His album, GNX, a “sleek, fiery” project, has earned him a coveted Album of the Year nod. This nomination adds to his already impressive Grammy history, setting the stage for a potentially historic win. Lamar is also recognized for his hit ballad “Luther,” featuring SZA, which dominated the US Billboard charts for 11 weeks.
Lady Gaga is also a strong contender, securing seven nominations, including Album of the Year for “Mayhem.” This record is described as a return to her electro-pop roots, drawing upon her own musical history. Both Gaga and Lamar have previously been nominated for Album of the Year five times, but neither has yet to win in this prestigious category. The 2026 Grammys could finally be their year to claim the gold gramophone.
A Rap Album Breakthrough?
If Kendrick Lamar wins Album of the Year for GNX, it would be a monumental achievement for the rap genre. GNX would be the first rap album to secure the night’s main prize since Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2004. He faces stiff competition from other rap artists, including Tyler, The Creator, with his innovative Chromakopia, and the reunited hip-hop duo Clipse with their album Let God Sort Em Out, their first release since 2009. Notably, this year marks the first time in Grammy history that three rap albums have been shortlisted for Album of the Year, signifying a shift in recognition for the genre.
K-Pop’s Historic Breakthrough and Global Representation
The 2026 Grammy nominations are particularly noteworthy for K-Pop’s groundbreaking presence in the Song of the Year category. Rosé (of Blackpink) and Bruno Mars’ collaboration, the “frothy pop hit” APT, and Hunter/x’s “Golden,” the breakout hit from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, have both been shortlisted. Rosé is the first K-Pop idol to be nominated for any of the Grammys’ “Big Four” awards, marking a significant achievement for the genre and its global influence. APT also received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Huntr/x are the first animated band to snag a nomination in one of the main categories, although Damon Albarn’s cel-shaded band Gorillaz previously won best pop collaboration for their 2005 hit Feel Good Inc.
Beyond K-Pop, the nominations reflect a growing recognition of global music. Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny has received six nominations, including Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which blends live instrumentation with reggaeton and traditional Puerto Rican styles. This is only the second time an entirely Spanish-language album has been nominated for the prize, the first being Bad Bunny’s own Un Verano Sin Ti in 2022. Bad Bunny is also set to headline the Super Bowl half-time show, further solidifying his status as a global music icon.
British Talent in the Spotlight
The United Kingdom is well-represented in the 2026 Grammy nominations, with several British artists vying for awards. Olivia Dean and Lola Young are following in the footsteps of Adele and Amy Winehouse with nominations in the Best New Artist category. Young’s hit “Messy” is also up for Best Pop Solo Performance. The Isle of Wight indie band Wet Leg is nominated for Best Alternative Album (for Moisturizer) and Best Alternative Song (Mangetout), categories they previously won at the 2023 ceremony. They’re also up for best album cover, a newly-created category for 2025. Veteran band The Cure also received two nominations after releasing their first new album for 16 years, while Cynthia Erivo has two nominations as well, including one for Defying.
Other Notable Nominations
Sabrina Carpenter, fresh off her two Grammy wins last year, has garnered six more nominations for the 2026 ceremony, including Album of the Year, Best Pop Album, and Song of the Year for her country-pop crossover Manchild. Alex Warren, whose love song Ordinary is the year’s most popular single in the UK, has a Best New Artist nod. Elsewhere, actor Timothee Chalamet is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for his album of Bob Dylan songs from the film biopic A Complete Unknown. Even the Dalai Lama is in the running for Best Audiobook, competing against the autobiography of Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan.
Conclusion
The 2026 Grammy nominations showcase a diverse and exciting range of musical talent. With Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga leading the pack, and K-Pop making history with its Song of the Year nominations, the ceremony promises to be a celebration of the best in music from around the world. The strong representation of British artists, along with the recognition of Spanish-language albums and animated bands, highlights the Grammys’ evolving embrace of global music and innovation. The stage is set for a memorable night in February, where the winners will be crowned and musical history will be made.
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