The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards have been announced, with Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga securing the most nods. K-Pop artists have also made a significant entry into the Song of the Year category for the first time.
Leading Nominees
Kendrick Lamar received nine nominations, the highest number for the second consecutive year, including a nod for Album of the Year for his work, 'GNX'. Lady Gaga earned seven nominations, featuring an Album of the Year recognition for 'Mayhem', which reportedly draws from her electro-pop origins.
K-Pop's Breakthrough
Two K-Pop tracks were shortlisted for Song of the Year: 'APT' by Rosé and Bruno Mars, and 'Golden' by Hunter/x, from the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'. Rosé, a member of Blackpink, is the first K-Pop idol to be nominated in any of the Grammys' "Big Four" categories. Hunter/x marks the first animated band to receive a nomination in a main category.
Album of the Year Category Highlights
Both Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar have been nominated five times previously for Album of the Year without securing a win in this specific category. Lamar is considered a strong contender for 'GNX', which, if victorious, would be the first rap album to win the main prize since Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' in 2004.
Other nominees in this category include:
- Tyler, The Creator for 'Chromakopia'
- Reunited duo Clipse for 'Let God Sort Em Out', their first release since 2009. This marks the first time three rap albums have been shortlisted for Album of the Year.
- Bad Bunny for 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos', an album that blends live instrumentation with reggaeton and traditional Puerto Rican styles. This is the second instance of an entirely Spanish-language album being shortlisted for the prize, following Bad Bunny's own 'Un Verano Sin Ti' in 2022. Bad Bunny also has six nominations overall and is slated to headline the next Super Bowl half-time show.
Key Award Nominations
Song of the Year
- Lady Gaga – 'Abracadabra'
- Doechii - 'Anxiety'
- Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'APT'
- Bad Bunny - 'DtMF'
- Hunter/x - 'Golden'
- Kendrick Lamar feat SZA - 'Luther'
- Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild'
- Billie Eilish - 'Wildflower'
Record of the Year
- Bad Bunny - 'DtMF'
- Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild'
- Doechii - 'Anxiety'
- Billie Eilish - 'Wildflower'
- Lady Gaga – 'Abracadabra'
- Kendrick Lamar feat SZA - 'Luther'
- Chappell Roan - 'The Subway'
- Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'APT'
Album of the Year
- Bad Bunny - 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos'
- Justin Bieber - 'Swag'
- Sabrina Carpenter - 'Man's Best Friend'
- Clipse, Pusha T & Malice – 'Let God Sort Em Out'
- Lady Gaga - 'Mayhem'
- Kendrick Lamar - 'GNX'
- Leon Thomas – 'Mutt'
- Tyler, the Creator – 'Chromakopia'
Best New Artist
- Olivia Dean
- Katseye
- The Marias
- Addison Rae
- Sombr
- Leon Thomas
- Alex Warren
- Lola Young
Sabrina Carpenter, a two-time Grammy winner, received an additional six nominations for the 2026 ceremony, including for Best Album and Best Pop Album. Alex Warren secured a Best New Artist nomination for his single 'Ordinary'. Actor Timothee Chalamet is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for his Bob Dylan film biopic album. The Dalai Lama is shortlisted for Best Audiobook.
British Artists Recognized
British artists Olivia Dean and Lola Young are nominated in the Best New Artist category. Young's track 'Messy' is also up for Best Pop Solo Performance. Isle of Wight band Wet Leg received nominations for Best Alternative Album ('Moisturizer'), Best Alternative Song ('Mangetout'), and the new Best Album Cover category. The Cure secured two awards for their first album in 16 years. Cynthia Erivo also has two nominations, including for 'Defying Gravity', a duet with Ariana Grande. Alt-pop artists FKA Twigs and PinkPantheress are both nominated for Best Dance Album. Doncaster-born Yungblud received his first Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album ('Idols'), Best Rock Song ('Zombie'), and Best Rock Performance. Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile's collaboration, 'Who Believes in Angels', is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Other UK artists on the shortlists include Flo, Disclosure, Fred Again, Sleep Token, Skepta, and Raye. Coldplay did not receive nominations for their tenth album, 'Moon Music'.
Top Nominee Counts
- Kendrick Lamar: 9 nominations
- Lady Gaga: 7 nominations
- Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas: 6 nominations each
Taylor Swift's Eligibility
Taylor Swift's latest album, 'The Life of a Showgirl', released in October, falls outside the eligibility period for the 2026 Grammy Awards. To qualify, releases must be between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Her album will be eligible for the 2027 ceremony.