Kendrick Lamar Leads 2026 Grammy Nominations in Historic Repeat

Rapper Kendrick Lamar has topped the list of Grammy contenders for the second consecutive year. He secured an impressive nine nominations for the upcoming 2026 ceremony. The announcements were made on Friday, setting the stage for music’s biggest night.

Pop icon Lady Gaga followed closely with seven nominations of her own. Their albums will compete for the coveted Album of the Year trophy. According to Reuters, neither artist has previously won this top honor.

A Crowded Field for Music’s Top Prize

Lamar’s “GNX” and Gaga’s “MAYHEM” lead the Album of the Year category. They face strong competition from a diverse group of artists. Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” and Justin Bieber’s “Swag” are also in the running.

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” rounds out the category. Taylor Swift‘s latest work was not eligible this cycle. Her album was released after the eligibility window closed.

Global Sounds and Major Snubs Define the Race

The nominations reflect music’s global reach. Bad Bunny earned six total nominations, including for Record and Song of the Year. The Puerto Rican star is also set to perform at the next Super Bowl halftime show.

K-Pop made a significant showing with two songs in the Song of the Year category. “Golden” from a popular Netflix movie and “APT.” by Rose and Bruno Mars were both recognized. The latter also scored a Record of the Year nomination.

The 2026 Grammy Awards promise a tight race, highlighting both established icons and fresh talent. With Kendrick Lamar’s historic repeat dominance, the ceremony is highly anticipated. The final results will be revealed in Los Angeles on February 1.

Info at your fingertips

Who is nominated for Best New Artist?

Olivia Dean and KATSEYE are among the contenders. They will compete against Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and others. Thomas also received an Album of the Year nod for his work “Mutt”.

Why wasn’t Taylor Swift nominated?

Her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” was released after the eligibility period ended. The Grammys have a strict cutoff date for submissions. Her work will likely be considered for the following year’s awards.

How many nominations did Bad Bunny receive?

The global superstar earned six Grammy nominations. This includes key categories like Record, Song, and Album of the Year. His strong showing underscores the growing influence of Latin music.

What is the difference between Song and Record of the Year?

Song of the Year honors the songwriters. Record of the Year awards the performers and producers. “APT.” by Rose and Bruno Mars is nominated in both categories.

When and where are the Grammys held?

The winners will be announced at a red-carpet ceremony on February 1. The event will take place in Los Angeles. The winners are chosen by the voting members of the Recording Academy.