Key Highlights
- Kendrick Lamar leads the pack for the 68th Grammy Awards with a staggering nine nominations, including nods for Album, Record, and Song of the Year.
- Other major contenders include Lady Gaga with seven nominations, while Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and breakout artist Doechii follow closely with multiple nods.
- Rising R&B star Leon Thomas is a prominent newcomer, securing nominations for Best New Artist and Album of the Year for MUTT.
- The Recording Academy has introduced two new categories for the 2026 ceremony: Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album.
The nominations for the 68th annual Grammy Awards have been announced, and the music world is already buzzing. Continuing his monumental success from the previous year, Kendrick Lamar has once again emerged as the top contender, securing an impressive nine nominations for the ceremony scheduled to take place on February 1, 2026.
Kendrick Lamar’s Reign Continues
Fresh off a triumphant sweep at the last Grammys, where he took home trophies for Record and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us,” Lamar is poised for another big night. His critically acclaimed and record-shattering album GNX and the chart-topping single “Luther (feat. SZA)” are the driving forces behind his nominations, which span major categories like Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. The Recording Academy also recognized his collaborative work, further cementing his status as a dominant force in the industry.
A Crowded Field of Heavy Hitters
While Lamar leads, the competition is fierce. Lady Gaga is close behind with seven nominations for her album MAYHEM and the single “Disease.” Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter and Latin superstar Bad Bunny both earned six nominations each, making them significant threats in top categories. Producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut also received seven nominations for their extensive work with several of this year’s top-nominated artists.
Doechii’s Viral Success Earns Grammy Nods
One of the year’s most exciting stories is the rise of Doechii, who snagged five nominations. Her powerful single “Anxiety,” which initially came out in 2019, found new life after going viral on TikTok. The Swamp Princess re-recorded and re-released the track this year, a move that paid off with nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Performance. After delivering one of the most electric performances at last year’s ceremony, all eyes will be on her.
Newcomers and Rap Icons
The Best New Artist category is packed with diverse talent, including R&B singer Leon Thomas, girl group KATSEYE, indie-pop band The Marías, and TikTok stars-turned-musicians Alex Warren and Addison Rae. Thomas also made a splash in the Album of the Year category with MUTT.
In the rap categories, the legendary duo Clipse made a highly-touted return after a 16-year hiatus, earning five nominations for their album Let God Sort Em Out. Tyler, the Creator, a vocal critic of the Academy’s genre categorizations, is once again a contender in multiple fields, with nominations for Best Rap Album (CHROMAKOPIA), Best Alternative Album (DON’T TAP THE GLASS), and Album of the Year.
New Categories Debut
The 68th Grammy Awards will feature 95 categories, including two brand new ones. For the first time, the Academy will award Best Album Cover, with nominees including Tyler, the Creator, Bad Bunny, and Wet Leg. The second new category, Best Traditional Country Album, will see legends like Willie Nelson competing against modern traditionalists like Margo Price and Charley Crockett. With a mix of established titans and explosive new talent, the 2026 Grammys are shaping up to be an unforgettable event.
Image Referance: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/07/nx-s1-5600968/2026-grammys-complete-list-of-nominations