Grammy Nominations 2026: Rap Albums Could Make History

The upcoming 2026 Grammy nominations, set for Friday, November 7, could mark a significant moment for rap music. For only the second time in Grammy history, three rap albums might compete for the prestigious Album of the Year award. This potential achievement highlights a shift in recognition for the genre within the Recording Academy.

If Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia, and Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out all receive nominations, it would be the first instance of three rap albums being nominated in the same year since 2019. That year saw nominations for Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy, Drake’s Scorpion, and the Black Panther soundtrack, which included contributions from Lamar.

Potential Records for Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar stands to make Grammy history if GNX secures an Album of the Year nomination. This would make him the first rapper to receive five Album of the Year nods as a lead artist. He would surpass Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, who currently holds four nominations in this category.

Furthermore, Lamar could become the first solo artist from any genre to be nominated for Album of the Year with five consecutive studio albums. Donald Fagen achieved a similar feat, but his record combines solo albums with those from his band, Steely Dan. Lamar is already a highly decorated artist, with 22 Grammy wins to his name.

Other Strong Contenders for Album of the Year

Tyler, The Creator, despite not yet receiving a nomination in a marquee Grammy category, has a strong track record. He won Best Rap Album for his two previous albums, Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost. His latest album, Chromakopia, is a strong contender.

Clipse, a rap duo, has a more limited Grammy history. Their only previous nomination was in 2003 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration as featured artists on Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You.” Pusha T, one half of Clipse, has five additional Grammy nominations independently. Their album, Let God Sort Em Out, features several past Grammy winners, including Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, John Legend, The-Dream, Pharrell Williams, and Nas.

"The potential for three rap albums to be nominated speaks volumes about the evolving landscape of the music industry and the Recording Academy's efforts to reflect current musical trends," said a music industry analyst.

Collaborations and Production Excellence

Pharrell Williams produced Clipse’s entire album. Williams is a three-time winner of the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, twice on his own and once as part of The Neptunes. This production pedigree further strengthens Clipse's chances.

The albums from Lamar and Tyler, The Creator also feature notable collaborations. Lamar’s album includes SZA and Roddy Ricch. Tyler, The Creator’s self-produced album features Daniel Caesar, Lil Wayne, and Doechii. These collaborations often add to an album's critical and commercial appeal.

Other Possible Rap Album Contenders

Beyond the top three, several other rap albums could potentially secure an Album of the Year nomination. These include:

• Central Cee’s Can’t Rush Greatness
• PartyNextDoor & Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4U
• Playboi Carti’s Music
• Lil Baby’s WHAM

The Recording Academy's ongoing efforts to diversify its membership could play a role in increasing the representation of rap albums in major categories.

Impact of Recording Academy Diversity Initiatives

The Recording Academy has made significant efforts to diversify its voting body. On October 3, 2024, the Academy announced that 66% of its Grammy voting members had joined since a new membership model was introduced in June 2019. This model focuses on inviting new members to boost the numbers of women, people of color, and individuals under 40.

On July 7, the Academy extended membership invitations to nearly 3,600 music professionals. This group represents diverse backgrounds, genres, and disciplines. The Academy reported that this year's class of invitees is 49% women, 56% people of color, and 60% under the age of 40. Approximately 2,600 of these are invited as voting members, and about 1,000 as non-voting professional members.

To provide perspective, the Academy reported over 16,000 total members last year, with more than 13,000 being voting members. This push for diversity aims to ensure that the Grammy nominations better reflect the breadth of modern music, potentially benefiting genres like rap.

Historical Rap Album of the Year Nominations

While three rap albums in one year is rare, there have been four occasions where two rap albums received Album of the Year nominations. The Grammys classify albums based on where they competed in the awards process. For example, Lil Nas X's 7 and Montero were classified as pop, as were Doja Cat's Planet Her and Post Malone's Beerbongs & Bentleys. Lizzo's Cuz I Love You was classified as urban contemporary.

Past Years with Multiple Rap Album of the Year Nominees:

• 2003 Grammy Ceremony:
  • Rap nominees: Eminem’s The Eminem Show, Nelly’s Nellyville
  • Winner: Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me
• 2004 Grammy Ceremony:
  • Rap nominees: Missy Elliott’s Under Construction, OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
  • Winner: OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
• 2014 Grammy Ceremony:
  • Rap nominees: Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s The Heist
  • Winner: Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories
• 2018 Grammy Ceremony:
  • Rap nominees: Jay-Z’s 4:44, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN
  • Winner: Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic
• 2019 Grammy Ceremony:
  • Rap nominees: Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy, Drake’s Scorpion, Black Panther soundtrack
  • Winner: Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour

The 2026 Grammy nominations could add a new chapter to this history, underscoring rap's growing influence and critical acclaim within the music industry.