Kendrick Lamar Leads 2026 Grammy Nominations in Stellar Field

The Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards. Rap icon Kendrick Lamar tops the list with an impressive nine nominations. This includes the prestigious Album, Record, and Song of the Year categories.

His album ‘GNX’ and the hit single ‘Luther’ were central to his nomination haul. The news was delivered during a live-streamed event on Friday, setting the stage for music’s biggest night.

A Crowded Field of Superstars and Surprises

Lamar faces fierce competition from other music heavyweights. Lady Gaga follows closely with seven nominations of her own. Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter each secured six nominations, including in all the general field categories.

According to the official announcement, the Album of the Year category is particularly diverse. It includes everything from Justin Bieber’s ‘Swag’ to Clipse’s acclaimed comeback album ‘Let God Sort Em Out’. Leon Thomas’s breakthrough record ‘MUTT’ was a pleasant surprise nominee.

New Faces and Notable Omissions

The race for Best New Artist features a mix of global talent. Leon Thomas, KATSEYE, and Addison Rae are among the eight contenders. This category often signals the future stars of the music industry.

However, there were some surprising snubs. Alex Warren’s chart-topping single ‘Ordinary’ failed to secure a nomination. Gracie Abrams’s ‘That’s So True’ was also a notable omission from the major categories.

The 2026 Grammy nominations highlight a dynamic and competitive year in music. Kendrick Lamar’s dominant position sets up a compelling awards ceremony for fans worldwide.

Info at your fingertips

Who has the most Grammy nominations for 2026?

Kendrick Lamar leads all artists with nine nominations. This includes major categories like Album, Record, and Song of the Year. Lady Gaga is the second-most nominated artist with seven.

Is Sabrina Carpenter nominated for a Grammy?

Yes, Sabrina Carpenter earned six nominations. She is nominated in all the general field categories, including Album of the Year for ‘Man’s Best Friend’. This marks her second consecutive year with major category nominations.

Who is nominated for Best New Artist?

The Best New Artist category includes eight nominees. They are Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young. Leon Thomas enters the ceremony with six total nominations.

Were there any major nomination snubs?

Some critics noted surprising omissions. Alex Warren’s hit “Ordinary” did not receive any nominations. Gracie Abrams’s popular single “That’s So True” was also left out of the major categories.

Which producers received the most nominations?

Jack Antonoff is among the top nominees with seven. He worked on Lamar’s ‘GNX’ and Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend’. However, he was not nominated for Producer of the Year.