Kendrick Lamar has once again topped the Grammy nominations, leading the 2026 list with nine nods. The Recording Academy announced the contenders on Friday, marking another milestone in Lamar’s acclaimed career.

The rapper earned nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. It is his third time competing in all three major categories at once. Lamar also received nominations for Pop Duo/Group Performance, Melodic Rap Performance, Rap Song, Rap Album, and twice in Rap Performance.

Lamar’s latest studio album, GNX, built on the success of his past releases. He now has 22 Grammy wins and 66 total nominations. The album is also his fifth in a row to receive a nomination for Album of the Year — a record unmatched by any other artist. If GNX wins, it would be his first victory in that category and only the third rap album ever to take the top prize. Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below won in 2004, and Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill did in 1999.

Lady Gaga, Antonoff, and Cirkut Earn Seven Nods Each

Lady Gaga, producer Jack Antonoff, and Canadian hitmaker Cirkut follow Lamar with seven nominations apiece.

Gaga’s album Mayhem brought her nominations in Record, Song, and Album of the Year for the first time together. She also appears in Pop Solo Performance, Pop Vocal Album, Dance Pop Recording, and Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Antonoff scored double nominations in several top categories through his work with Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter. He also earned his first Rap Song nomination for tv off, featuring Lamar and Lefty Gunplay.

Both Antonoff and Cirkut are up for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical). A win for Antonoff would tie Babyface’s record of four career victories in the category. Cirkut also gained nominations for Record and Song of the Year twice — for Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra and Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT — along with Album of the Year and Best Dance Pop Recording.

Album of the Year Features a Global Mix

The 2026 Album of the Year nominees represent a wide range of music styles and artists. Along with Lamar’s GNX and Gaga’s Mayhem, the list includes Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Justin Bieber’s Swag, Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out, Leon Thomas’ Mutt, and Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia.

This is the first time three albums — GNX, Let God Sort Em Out, and Chromakopia — have been recognized in both the Rap Album and Album of the Year categories. The trend highlights rap’s growing influence across mainstream music.

Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos also made history. It is only the second all-Spanish album to earn a nomination for Album of the Year, following his 2023 hit Un Verano Sin Ti. That year, Harry Styles’ Harry’s House took the top prize.

Rising Artists and Global Representation

Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, and Serban Ghenea each collected six nominations. Andrew Watt, Clipse, Doechii, Sounwave, SZA, Turnstile, and Tyler, the Creator followed with five.

This year’s Best New Artist category includes Katseye, Olivia Dean, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young — a mix of global and online-era performers.

The Record of the Year nominees are Bad Bunny’s DtMF, Carpenter’s Manchild, Doechii’s Anxiety, Billie Eilish’s Wildflower, Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra, Lamar and SZA’s luther, Chappell Roan’s The Subway, and Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT.

Rosé, known as a member of BLACKPINK, became the first K-pop artist ever nominated in this category. Her inclusion marks a milestone for Korean representation in major Western awards.

Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” Qualifies Under Academy Rules

Billie Eilish’s Wildflower drew attention for being released before the eligibility window. The song appeared on her 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft. However, the Recording Academy allows entries from the previous year if they were not submitted before and did not win a Grammy. Because Wildflower was never entered, it qualified this year.

Song of the Year Mirrors Record Category

The Song of the Year list mirrors the Record of the Year field, with one exception: Chappell Roan’s The Subway is replaced by Golden from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. This award honors songwriters, which can include but does not always mean the performer.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the nominations highlight the music community’s creativity. “The Grammy Awards honor the people who make this community vibrant,” he said. “From emerging talent to influential icons, these nominees reflect today’s diverse musical landscape.”

First-Time Nominees and Next Steps

Several artists received their first Grammy nominations this year, including Tate McRae, Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress, rapper JID, and actor Timothée Chalamet — a surprise name in the lineup that underscores the Academy’s broader artistic recognition.

To qualify, music had to be released commercially in the United States between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Final voting begins December 12 and ends January 5.

The 2026 Grammy Awards will air live on February 1 on CBS and Paramount+, broadcasting from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

Source: AP News – Kendrick Lamar leads 2026 Grammy nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Cirkut

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