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Grammys 2026: A night of firsts and fierce competition
The 67th annual Grammy Awards unfold in Los Angeles this Sunday, with Kendrick Lamar leading the pack with nine nominations. The ceremony promises historic moments, from potential K-pop breakthroughs to political undertones amid a charged cultural climate.
Top contenders for album of the year
A three-way race is shaping up for the night's most coveted prize. Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny are the frontrunners, each vying for their first album of the year win despite multiple past nominations.
Lamar's GNX, his sixth studio album, has earned widespread acclaim for its sharp, crowd-pleasing sound. A victory would mark a rare win for hip-hop in the category, which hasn't gone to a rap album since 2004. Gaga's Mayhem, her seventh album, is seen as a triumphant return to her signature maximalist pop, while Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos blends reggaeton, salsa, and live instrumentation, positioning him as the first artist to potentially win with a Spanish-language album.
"Giving him the prize would also go some way to correcting the Grammys' rap problem," insiders note, referencing the genre's underrepresentation in top categories.
Wildcards and redemption arcs
Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber remain dark horses in the race, though the Grammys have a history of surprising choices. Meanwhile, Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, stripped of his 1990 best new artist award for lip-syncing, is nominated for best audiobook for his memoir You Know It's True. A win could offer a poignant moment of redemption.
Record and song of the year: A battle of hits
The record of the year category features Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild, Lady Gaga's Abracadabra, and Chappell Roan's The Subway. However, Rosé and Bruno Mars's APT stands out as the favorite, with its cross-generational appeal. If it wins, Rosé would become the first K-pop artist to claim a Grammy, while Mars would set a new record with his fourth win in the category.
Song of the year, recognizing songwriters, includes many of the same contenders, plus Golden from the film K-Pop Demon Hunters. Bad Bunny's DTMF (I Should Have Taken More Photos) is also in the running, praised for its blend of introspection and celebration.
K-pop's rising influence
K-pop continues to make waves at the Grammys, with Rosé (Blackpink) and the fictional group Huntr/x from K-Pop Demon Hunters earning nominations. Katseye, a global girl group trained in the K-pop system, is also up for best group and best pop group performance. Though they may not win, their presence reflects the genre's growing cultural impact.
"You're going to see three Korean faces. To think about the kids who are going to see that, and hopefully for that to shape their understanding of what they can do in this world, is the stuff that is giving me chills up my spine," said Audrey Nuna of Huntr/x.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. hinted at a potential dedicated K-pop category in the future, fueling speculation about BTS's upcoming comeback.
Historic nods and political undertones
Barbra Streisand could finally break her 13-time losing streak in the best traditional pop album category with The Secret of Life, though she faces stiff competition from Gaga, Elton John & Brandi Carlile, and Laufey. Haim is poised to become the first all-female band to win best rock album, while the cast of Wicked is nominated for four awards, including best duet for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's Defying Gravity.
Politics are expected to permeate the ceremony, with artists like Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny speaking out against ICE policies. Grammy producer Ben Winston dismissed rumors of Taylor Swift's appearance, calling them "totally made up," while Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show commitment rules him out of performing.
"You're going to hear and feel what's going on in the world through the music," Mason told CNN, acknowledging the inevitability of political expression on stage.
How the Grammys work
This year, 15,000 industry professionals-including musicians, producers, and lyricists-were eligible to vote. Members pay a $150 annual fee and can vote in up to 10 categories, though they're encouraged to stick to genres they know. All voters participate in the six major awards: album, record, and song of the year, best new artist, songwriter of the year, and producer of the year.
The awards recognize music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025, with over 20,000 submissions considered. Winners are revealed live during the ceremony, split into a "premiere ceremony" for niche categories and the main event.
How to watch
The premiere ceremony begins at 12:30 PM PT (8:30 PM GMT) on Sunday, streaming on the Recording Academy's YouTube channel and live.grammy.com. Red carpet coverage starts at 3:00 PM PT (11:00 PM GMT), with the main show airing at 5:00 PM PT (1:00 AM GMT Monday) on CBS and Paramount+ in the U.S. UK viewers can catch clips on social media or YouTube the following day.
