Music’s biggest night, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, is set for Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with nine nods, followed closely by Lady Gaga and producers Cirkut and Jack Antonoff, who each received seven. Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas, and recording engineer Serban Ghenea each secured six nominations, setting the stage for a competitive evening.
The ceremony, airing live on CBS, will be hosted by Trevor Noah for what he has stated will be his final time. Viewers can expect performances from a diverse lineup of artists, including Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas, Clipse, Pharrell Williams, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, and Olivia Dean.
Key Takeaways
- Kendrick Lamar leads with nine Grammy nominations.
- Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny are strong contenders in top categories.
- Trevor Noah hosts his final Grammy Awards ceremony.
- New categories like Contemporary Country Album debut this year.
- Bruno Mars could make history for most Record of the Year wins.
Album of the Year Race Heats Up
The Album of the Year category is widely considered a three-way contest between Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem,” and Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” None of these artists have previously won this prestigious award, despite Lamar and Gaga each having four prior nominations in the category.
Many observers believe there is a strong “It’s their turn” sentiment, similar to the one that propelled Beyoncé to victory last year with “Cowboy Carter” after four previous losses. A win for Bad Bunny would mark a historic moment, as it would be the first time a Spanish-language album has claimed the top prize. This could be a significant statement from voters.
Album of the Year Nominees
- Bad Bunny, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
- Justin Bieber, “Swag”
- Sabrina Carpenter, “Man’s Best Friend”
- Clipse, “Let God Sort Em Out”
- Lady Gaga, “Mayhem”
- Kendrick Lamar, “GNX”
- Leon Thomas, “Mutt”
- Tyler, the Creator, “Chromakopia”
History also shows the Recording Academy can deliver unexpected results, such as Jon Batiste’s win over Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift in 2022. This unpredictability keeps the anticipation high for Sunday night’s announcement.
Record and Song of the Year Contenders
The Record of the Year category features a strong lineup. Bruno Mars, nominated with Rosé for “Apt.,” could set a new record. If they win, Mars would become the only artist with four Record of the Year trophies, surpassing Paul Simon, who currently also has three.
However, Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with SZA on “Luther” is also a formidable contender. The track, which samples Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s rendition of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “If This World Were Mine,” represents the kind of intergenerational appeal that often resonates with Grammy voters. Lamar also carries momentum from winning both Record and Song of the Year last year with “Not Like Us,” placing him among only three other acts—Billie Eilish, U2, and Roberta Flack—to achieve back-to-back wins in this category.
“’Luther’ has that perfect blend of classic and contemporary, which Grammy voters often reward,” said one industry insider.
Understanding the Categories
While Record of the Year honors the performers and producers of a track, Song of the Year recognizes the songwriters. This distinction often leads to overlapping nominations but can also introduce different contenders.
For Song of the Year, the K-pop hit “Golden” from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” joins the list of nominees. “Golden” recently secured a Golden Globe and is also nominated for an Academy Award for Original Song, suggesting strong cross-industry recognition. Billie Eilish and Bruno Mars, both two-time winners in this category, also remain strong contenders, though no artist has ever won Song of the Year three times.
Best New Artist and Pop Vocal Album
The Best New Artist category introduces several rising talents. Leon Thomas stands out with a second nomination in one of the major categories, indicating significant support among voters. However, he faces stiff competition from Olivia Dean, a young English soul singer who draws comparisons to past Grammy darlings like Adele and Amy Winehouse. Dean reportedly gained significant cultural traction in December, coinciding with the period when academy members were casting their ballots.
Another important trend to note is that nine of the last ten Best New Artist awards have gone to women, which could influence this year’s outcome.
Best New Artist Nominees
- Olivia Dean
- Katseye
- The Marías
- Addison Rae
- Sombr
- Leon Thomas
- Alex Warren
- Lola Young
In the Best Pop Vocal Album category, Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” appears to be a frontrunner. In the past decade, only two albums—Ed Sheeran’s “÷” and Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener”—have won this award without also being nominated for Album of the Year, suggesting Miley Cyrus’s “Something Beautiful” and Teddy Swims’ “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)” face longer odds. Sabrina Carpenter, who won this award last year with “Short n’ Sweet,” could make history by becoming the first artist to win twice in a row.
Rap and Country Categories See New Dynamics
Kendrick Lamar is expected to dominate the Best Rap Album category with “GNX.” He has only lost this award once in his career, famously to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The inclusion of Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out” and Tyler, the Creator’s “Chromakopia” in the Album of the Year race suggests a tighter competition than usual, but Lamar remains a strong favorite.
This year, the Grammys have introduced a significant change in the country music categories. Following Beyoncé’s win for Best Country Album last year, the award has been split into two: Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album. The Recording Academy maintains this decision was not a response to previous controversies but rather an effort to recognize the genre’s diverse sounds.
Eric Church, with his 11th Grammy nomination for “Evangeline vs. the Machine,” is a strong contender for Best Contemporary Country Album. Church, who has yet to win a Grammy, has created an ambitious concept album that often appeals to voters.
Nelson Family Dominance
In the Best Traditional Country Album category, the Nelson family holds a strong position. Both Lukas Nelson and his father, Willie Nelson, are nominated, giving the family a 40% chance of taking home the award. Producer Shooter Jennings also has a double stake, having overseen both Lukas Nelson’s “American Romance” and Charley Crockett’s “Dollar a Day.”
Rock and Alternative Music Awards
The Best Rock Album category features a mix of established acts and newer artists. Haim’s “I Quit” is nominated, but only one woman or female-fronted act has won Rock Album in the last 25 years, making their path challenging. The race is likely between the reunited Linkin Park’s “From Zero” and Yungblud’s “Idols.” Yungblud notably impressed many older voters with his performance of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at Ozzy Osbourne’s 2025 farewell concert, potentially boosting his chances.
In the Best Alternative Music Album category, Bon Iver’s “Sable, Fable” and The Cure’s “Songs of a Lost World” are key nominees. The Cure has never won a Grammy, a fact many find surprising. Bon Iver’s previous wins and rumors of his potential retirement after this album could give him an edge among voters looking to celebrate his career. Wet Leg, another past winner, also remains a strong contender with “Moisturizer.”
Other Key Categories
The Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category sees Lady Gaga nominated for “Harlequin,” adding to her previous wins in this category for her duet albums with Tony Bennett. Barbra Streisand, despite 13 prior losses in this category, is also nominated with “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2.” Laufey, who has cultivated a devoted following, is also a strong contender with “A Matter of Time.”
For Songwriter of the Year, Amy Allen and Tobias Jesso Jr., both past winners, are nominated again. However, Edgar Barrera’s extensive work with artists like Karol G, Shakira, and Juanes could lead voters to recognize his contributions this year. Producer of the Year sees Cirkut as a favorite due to his seven total nominations, including work on Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” and Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “Apt.” Dijon, recognized for his creative work on Justin Bieber’s “Swag,” is also a strong candidate.