The 2026 Grammy nominations have been announced, and Kendrick Lamar leads the charge with nine nominations, spotlighting the strength of his 2024 release, “GNX?”. The announcement has once again stirred discussions about surprises and notable omissions.
Mark your calendars — the Grammy Awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, airing on CBS and Paramount+.
Rap Albums Dominate Key Categories
This year’s Grammy nominations highlight a significant presence of hip-hop, with three albums securing spots in both the rap album and album of the year categories. Alongside Lamar’s “GNX?”, Clipse and Pusha T & Malice’s “Let God Sort Em Out,” and Tyler, the Creator’s “Chromakopia” are up for the prestigious awards. This marks a potential shift toward greater diversity and representation in the Grammys.
Notable Absences in the Best New Artist Category
Despite the spotlight on hip-hop in major categories, rap, along with country, is missing from the best new artist nominations. The list includes talents like Katseye, Olivia Dean, The Marias, and more, yet omits rising stars Ella Langley and Megan Moroney.
Billie Eilish’s Return
Billie Eilish is back in the Grammy spotlight with nominations for song and record of the year for “Wildflower,” from her 2024 album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Despite the release date, eligibility rules allow her entry this year, sparking curiosity about her chances for a win.
Country Categories Reorganized
Fans will notice a change in the Grammy’s country music categories. A new best traditional country album category has been introduced, while the existing best country album category has been renamed to best contemporary country album. The distinctions between these categories remain unclear, with notable entries from artists like Willie Nelson and Kelsea Ballerini.
The Weeknd’s Absence
After a significant performance at the 2025 Grammys, The Weeknd submitted his album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” for 2026 Grammy consideration. However, it didn’t make the nominations list, despite changes in the Grammy’s voting membership aimed at increasing diversity.
K-pop Recognition
K-pop gains recognition this year with Rosé, of BLACKPINK, nominated for record of the year with “APT.,” featuring Bruno Mars. Additionally, the song “Golden” from the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack is up for song of the year.
Surprising First-Time Nominees
Among the unexpected nominees is actor Timothée Chalamet, earning a nod for best compilation soundtrack for visual media with “A Complete Unknown.” Other notable first-timers include Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and the Dalai Lama.
Spanish-Language Albums and Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny continues to make history with his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” It’s only the second all-Spanish language album to receive an album of the year nomination. The Grammys’ recognition of Spanish-language music remains in question, with notable omissions such as Fuerza Regida’s high-charting album.
Jack Antonoff’s Grammy Journey
Despite not being nominated for producer of the year, non-classical, Jack Antonoff remains a prominent figure with seven nominations, largely due to his work with Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter.
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