The nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards were officially announced on Friday, November 7, setting the stage for three months of anticipation and debate before the awards ceremony on February 1. Music fans and industry insiders are now scrutinizing the list, predicting winners, and discussing notable omissions. Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with nine nominations, following his success at the 2025 awards.
Key Takeaways
- Kendrick Lamar received nine nominations, the most of any artist.
- Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Sabrina Carpenter also secured multiple major nominations.
- The Recording Academy's efforts towards diversity are reflected in the Album of the Year category.
- Notable snubs include Alex Warren's "Ordinary" and a general underrepresentation of country music.
- Predictions point to Kendrick Lamar or Bad Bunny as likely big winners.
Kendrick Lamar Dominates Nomination List
Kendrick Lamar is at the forefront of this year's Grammy nominations. His critically acclaimed album, GNX, and its hit singles "Luther" and "TV Off" garnered him nine nods. This builds on his success from the 2025 awards, where his track "Not Like Us" was a significant winner.
Following closely are other prominent artists. Lady Gaga earned seven nominations, while Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter each received six. All four of these artists are competing in the highly coveted Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year categories, setting up fierce competition.
Grammy Snapshot
- Top Nominee: Kendrick Lamar (9 nominations)
- Close Contenders: Lady Gaga (7), Bad Bunny (6), Sabrina Carpenter (6)
- Major Categories: Album, Record, and Song of the Year feature all top artists.
Assessing the Academy's Selections
Industry experts generally agree that the Recording Academy delivered a strong and largely representative list of nominees this year. Many note a refreshing absence of highly controversial inclusions in the major categories.
One common sentiment is that the nominations feel more aligned with the year's top music than in previous cycles. "Honestly, it feels like there is far less to debate than in previous years," noted one music journalist. "The conversations I've been having following the nominations have been more nitpicky than anything else."
Academy's Evolving Approach
The Recording Academy has actively worked to update and diversify its membership in recent years. This initiative aims to ensure the nominations better reflect the breadth and variety of contemporary music across genres and demographics. The visible results in this year's major categories suggest these efforts are beginning to bear fruit.
Surprising Omissions and Genre Spotlights
Despite the overall positive reception, some omissions have surprised observers. Alex Warren's "Ordinary," a song that held the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 for 10 weeks, notably missed out on nominations in the general field, including Song or Record of the Year. Warren did, however, receive a nod for Best New Artist.
"Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' is the kind of stately power ballad that in years past would have been a surefire record and song of the year nominee. It topped the Hot 100 for 10 weeks."
Another artist whose absence drew comment was Ravyn Lenae, particularly for her breakthrough single "Love Me Not." While many expected her to be a contender for Best New Artist, she received no nominations.
Beyond the 'Big Four' categories, some genre categories stood out for their compelling lineups. The Best Dance Pop Recording category is considered highly competitive, with strong contenders like Zara Larsson and Pinkpantheress.
The country, Americana, and folk categories also feature a robust array of talent, from rising stars like Tyler Childers and Zach Top to established artists such as Willie Nelson. Despite a strong year for these genres, their limited presence in the general field nominations remains a point of discussion.
Diversity and Representation in Focus
The Recording Academy's ongoing efforts to diversify its membership appear to be influencing the nominations, particularly in the Album of the Year category. This year, the field includes three rap albums, a Spanish-language album, and an R&B album, collectively making up more than half of the nominees. This marks a significant shift, with each of these five nominees representing a potential first-time winner in the category.
However, some areas still show room for improvement. Country music continues to be notably underrepresented in the general field. Data indicates that only 7% of the total voting membership aligns with country music, a figure lower than several other specialized genres like jazz (16%) and classical (10%).
Caribbean music also saw a complete shutout outside of the Best Reggae Album category, despite the emergence of crossover hits throughout the year. The Academy faces continued calls to bolster its representation across these and other genres to ensure a truly comprehensive reflection of global music.
Who Will Be the Big Winner?
As the countdown to February 1 begins, predictions for the night's biggest winner are already circulating. Many point to Kendrick Lamar as the most likely artist to take home multiple trophies, given his nine nominations and prior success.
However, Bad Bunny is also a strong contender. Coming off a highly acclaimed 2025 and with a Super Bowl halftime show booked, this could be his year to shine, especially in the Album of the Year category for his work, Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
Another artist to watch is Leon Thomas, who has five nominations. While not a front-runner for Album of the Year, he has a clear path to win in his other categories, potentially setting him up for a significant night.
The competition between these top artists promises an exciting Grammy Awards ceremony, with many anticipating a memorable night for one or more of these musical powerhouses.