Key Highlights
- Major Swift Snub: Taylor Swift’s blockbuster album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” will not be nominated for the 2026 Grammys as its October release fell outside the eligibility window.
- Titans Take Over: Industry veterans Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar, along with global superstar Bad Bunny, are heavily favored to lead the nominations in the top categories.
- Top Contenders: Predictions place Lady Gaga’s album “Mayhem” and single “Abracadabra,” as well as Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” and his SZA collaboration “Luther,” as frontrunners for major awards.
- Mark Your Calendar: The 68th Grammy Awards nominations will be unveiled this Friday, with the main event scheduled for February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Grammy Stage is Set, But a Superstar is Missing
As the music world holds its breath for the 68th Grammy Awards nominations, one name is conspicuously absent from the predictions: Taylor Swift. The pop icon’s latest mega-album missed the eligibility window (which ran from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025), meaning fans will have to wait another year to see her compete. In her absence, a trio of musical powerhouses—Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny—are poised to steal the spotlight and dominate the nominations.
Album of the Year: A Battle of Giants
The most prestigious category, Album of the Year, is shaping up to be a fierce competition. Both Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar are perennial Grammy favorites, and their latest projects are expected to be recognized.
Predicted Nominees Include:
- Lady Gaga, “Mayhem”: Gaga’s critically acclaimed album is a strong contender, marking a potential return to glory in this category.
- Kendrick Lamar, “GNX”: Lamar, though never having won this prize, is consistently nominated for his groundbreaking work.
- Bad Bunny, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”: Fresh off the announcement of his Super Bowl halftime show performance, the Puerto Rican star’s global influence is undeniable.
Other artists rounding out the predictions include Justin Bieber (“Swag”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Man’s Best Friend”), and the jazz-pop sensation Laufey (“A Matter of Time”).
Record and Song of the Year Frontrunners
The awards for best single are just as heated. Kendrick Lamar is expected to see another nod with his chart-topping SZA collaboration, “Luther,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for an astounding 13 weeks. Lady Gaga’s single “Abracadabra” is also a favorite for Record of the Year, a prize recognizing performance and production.
The Song of the Year category, which honors songwriters, is likely to feature many of the same tracks. Expect to see Lamar’s “Luther,” Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower,” and Chappell Roan’s emotional ballad “The Subway” among the nominees.
Who Will Be Crowned Best New Artist?
While TikTok star Alex Warren has seen massive commercial success with his brooding hit “Ordinary,” history suggests the Best New Artist category favors female artists. Women have dominated the nominations for the past decade, with the last male winner being Chance the Rapper in 2017. This trend puts artists like crafty country singer Megan Moroney, R&B artist Ravyn Lenae, and U.K. soul singers Olivia Dean and Lola Young in strong positions for a nomination.
Image Referance: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-11-05/grammys-2026-nominations-predictions-kendrick-lady-gaga-bad-bunny