2026 Grammy Awards is Kendrick Lamar about to dominate again, or will the Recording Academy surprise viewers with a history-making shift? With the 68th Grammy Awards approaching on Feb. 1, uncertainty around the biggest categories is driving intense global attention — including from Australian audiences watching how the industry’s balance of power is changing.
The competition is unusually close this year, with cultural momentum, voting dynamics and evolving genres colliding across nearly every major award.
Why is Kendrick Lamar leading the 2026 Grammy nominations?
Kendrick Lamar enters the 2026 Grammys with nine nominations, more than any other artist. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Canadian producer-songwriter Cirkut follow with seven nominations each, while Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas and Serban Ghenea have six apiece.
The scale of Lamar’s presence has made his potential outcomes one of the most debated topics heading into the ceremony, particularly as multiple rap albums compete in top-tier categories.
What’s really driving the Album of the Year debate?
Album of the year features a field that reflects both global reach and shifting industry priorities. The nominees are “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny; “Swag,” Justin Bieber; “Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter; “Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice; “Mayhem,” Lady Gaga; “GNX,” Kendrick Lamar; “Mutt,” Leon Thomas; and “Chromakopia,” Tyler, the Creator.
One argument centres on narrative. Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” is viewed as a return-to-form moment that aligns with the academy’s gradual cultural recalibration. At the same time, Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” carries historic weight, with the artist once again ranking as Spotify’s most streamed act globally last year and the possibility of a first-ever Spanish-language album win.
Lamar’s “GNX” remains a serious contender, though questions persist about whether voters will reward another rap album at the top level so soon after his recent success.
How did “GNX” dominate culture beyond music?
Supporters of “GNX” point to its sustained cultural footprint. Tracks such as “luther” and “Squabble Up” maintained long-term engagement, while “TV Off” entered everyday language through its “Mustard” catchphrase. The album also crossed into sport, with “Dodger Blue” becoming part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ championship narrative.
That level of cross-platform presence has historically carried significant weight with Grammy voters.
Is Record of the Year set to make history?
The record of the year nominees include “DtMF,” Bad Bunny; “Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter; “Anxiety,” Doechii; “Wildflower,” Billie Eilish; “Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga; “luther,” Kendrick Lamar with SZA; “The Subway,” Chappell Roan; and “APT.,” Rosé and Bruno Mars.
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“APT.” has emerged as a frontrunner due to its reach across age groups, platforms and international markets. Bruno Mars’ established rapport with voters, paired with Rosé’s global pop influence, has fuelled predictions that the track could win — a result that would make Rosé the first K-pop artist to claim record of the year.
Still, because the category recognises performance and production, “luther” remains a strong alternative based on its craftsmanship.
Why is Song of the Year leaning toward Lady Gaga?
Song of the year, the songwriter’s award, features a crowded field including “Abracadabra,” “Anxiety,” “APT.,” “DtMF,” “Golden,” “luther,” “Manchild” and “Wildflower.”
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Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” has gained traction due to its precise construction and lyrical focus. Despite four previous nominations in this category without a win, the song’s disciplined writing has positioned it as a potential breakthrough moment, particularly in a year without a single runaway hit dominating the field.
Who has the edge in Best New Artist?
Best new artist nominees include Olivia Dean; Katseye; The Marías; Addison Rae; sombr; Leon Thomas; Alex Warren; and Lola Young.
Leon Thomas stands out for presenting a cohesive artistic identity shaped by years of experience. His album “Mutt” reflects songwriting control and genre fluency rather than visibility-driven momentum. However, Olivia Dean’s name has circulated widely among industry observers, underscoring how unpredictable this category remains.
Can K-pop finally break through in pop duo or group?
Best pop duo/group performance nominees are “Defying Gravity,” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande; “Golden,” HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI; “Gabriela,” Katseye; “APT.,” Rosé and Bruno Mars; and “30 for 30,” SZA with Kendrick Lamar.
Three of the five contenders are K-pop or K-pop-adjacent. A win by any would mark the first Grammy victory for a K-pop act. “Golden” and “APT.” are viewed as the strongest possibilities, with “APT.” gaining an edge due to its balance, cohesion and Bruno Mars’ proven appeal to voters.
Why is Best Rap Album considered a lock?
Best rap album nominees include “Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice; “Glorious,” GloRilla; “God Does Like Ugly,” JID; “GNX,” Kendrick Lamar; and “Chromakopia,” Tyler, the Creator.
If “GNX” is deemed album-of-the-year calibre, many argue it should be uncontested here. The project’s cohesion, quotability and cultural dominance without chasing trends has positioned it as the clear favourite.
What changed with contemporary country album?
The Grammys renamed the category to best contemporary country album this year, separating it from traditional country. Nominees are “Patterns,” Kelsea Ballerini; “Snipe Hunter,” Tyler Childers; “Evangeline vs the Machine,” Eric Church; “Beautifully Broken,” Jelly Roll; and “Postcards from Texas,” Miranda Lambert.
Jelly Roll’s “Beautifully Broken” aligns closely with the category’s new definition, blending emotional storytelling with genre-fluid production. That positioning has made it a strong contender in the category’s first year.
Which albums are favoured in R&B, dance and Latin pop?
Best R&B albums include “Beloved,” Giveon; “Why Not More?,” Coco Jones; “The Crown,” Ledisi; “Escape Room,” Teyana Taylor; and “Mutt,” Leon Thomas. “Mutt” stands out as the only nominee also up for album of the year.
In best dance/electronic album, Skrillex’s “F— U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but UR Not! 3” is widely tipped due to its balance of experimentation and structure, adding to his nine career Grammy wins.
Best Latin pop album nominees are “Cosa Nuestra,” Rauw Alejandro; “Bogotá (Deluxe),” Andrés Cepeda; “Tropicoqueta,” Karol G; “Cancionera,” Natalia Lafourcade; and “¿Y ahora qué?,” Alejandro Sanz. Voters often mirror Latin Grammy outcomes, favouring Lafourcade or Sanz, though Karol G’s forward-looking “Tropicoqueta” remains a significant challenger.
The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.