Web Desk: The Recording Academy unveiled nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Friday, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most competitive editions yet. The 2026 Grammys will broadcast live on CBS and stream via Paramount+, promising a star-studded evening that blends tradition, innovation and the expanding influence of global sounds.
Lamar Tops the List, Gaga Close Behind
Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s nominations with nine nods, marking his second consecutive year as the most-nominated artist. Lady Gaga follows closely with seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Mayhem and Song of the Year for Abracadabra. Producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut also earned seven nominations each, while Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas and Sabrina Carpenter secured six apiece.
For the second year running, Lamar dominates the major categories Album, Record and Song of the Year with his acclaimed project GNX. His track “Luther,” featuring SZA, is also a frontrunner for Song of the Year.
Historic Firsts for K-Pop and Latin Artists
In a milestone moment, K-pop broke into the Song of the Year category for the first time, with Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT and Huntr/x’s Golden from the Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters earning nominations.
Bad Bunny also made history as the first Latin artist to be nominated in all three of the Grammys’ top categories in a single year Album, Record and Song of the Year for his all-Spanish-language album Debí Tirar Más Fotos and the single DtMF.
New Categories Debut
The 2026 ceremony introduces two new awards: Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album. The existing Best Country Album has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album, reflecting the genre’s evolution and the Academy’s effort to honor both classic and modern styles.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the changes were part of ongoing efforts to ensure inclusivity and relevance. “Our goal is to continually refine our process and recognize all who contribute meaningfully to the music landscape,” Mason said.
Diverse Field Across Genres
The Album of the Year race features an eclectic mix of contenders, including Lamar’s GNX, Gaga’s Mayhem, Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia, Clipse’s Let God Sort ’Em Out and Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos. This marks the first time in Grammy history that three rap albums have made the shortlist for the top honor.
In the Best New Artist category, British singers Olivia Dean and Lola Young join TikTok breakout star Addison Rae and the global pop group Katseye, highlighting the Grammys’ increasingly international scope.
Looking Ahead to Music’s Biggest Night
Voting for the winners will take place from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026. Fans can expect performances from several nominees as the Grammys celebrate another year of groundbreaking music, genre crossovers, and global recognition.
