In the 2026 Grammy nominations, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga & more win big Recording Academy
2026 Grammy Nominations Announced
DECEMBER 1, 2025, 8:00 AM
LOS ANGELES — On November 7, 2025, the Recording Academy announced its nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, one of the highest honors for artists who achieve creative and commercial success. Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the field with nine nods and was nominated for his album GNX, featuring his debut song “Luther” with the contribution of SZA. Following his lead, Lady Gaga earned eight nominations for her album Mayhem and its track “Abracadabra,” signaling a strong return to the general categories. Tyler, the Creator was also nominated for his alternative album “Don't Tap the Glass.”
EBHS sophomore Brianna Hosang said, “It’s a great album, and I think that he deserves to win the awards. Honestly, if he doesn’t win, I might riot.”
This year, the Grammys are rewarding music projects that feel like complete experiences, not just random collections of tracks. The Recording Academy shifted its focus from simple radio hits to deeper artistic ambition and the ability of an artist to use music, videos, and visuals to tell a compelling, unified story.
The Best New Artist nominees, for example, featured experimental forces like Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, and Alex Warren. This category has consistently propelled diverse artists from across the musical map, including Latin powerhouse Bad Bunny, who also garnered multiple nominations for his album De Mi Tierra Más Fotos, and the breakout British soul artist Lola Young. While major genre leaders continued to receive recognition, the Recording Academy placed greater emphasis on critical acclaim and cultural impact for the 2026 awards.
Sabrina Carpenter’s single “Manchild” also secured recognition. Aarya Chikramane, a sophomore at EBHS, said, “I absolutely love Sabrina! I especially love her album Fruitcake.” Sabrina’s vivid, visceral musical storytelling follows a pop trend revitalized by stars like Billie Eilish, whose single “Wildflower” received major recognition. Additionally, top-charting song “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters by HUNTR/X is featured among the nominees.
K-pop and Latin artists also reached significant milestones. “APT” by ROSE and Bruno Mars is the first song by a K-pop artist to be nominated for Record of the Year. Bad Bunny made history with his all-Spanish language album and song nominated in the top categories, marking broader recognition for non-English projects and expanding global representation at the Grammys.
Leading the industry in spotlighting storytelling and global voices, the Grammys continue to be a career-launching and revolutionary force in music.
