Music producer Jack Antonoff, a significant figure in contemporary music, faced an unexpected turn during the 2025 Grammy Awards nomination cycle. Despite a consistent presence in top categories, he did not receive a nomination for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. This marked a break in his five-year streak, which included three consecutive wins in the category.
The announcement on November 8, 2024, surprised many industry observers. Antonoff had been a dominant force, securing the Producer of the Year award from 2022 to 2024. His absence from the 2025 list raised questions, especially given his involvement in two Album of the Year nominated projects.
Key Takeaways
- Jack Antonoff was not nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, at the 2025 Grammys.
- This ended his five-year nomination streak and three consecutive wins in the category.
- He was still nominated for Album of the Year with two projects in 2025: Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department and Sabrina Carpenter's Short N' Sweet.
- Antonoff could receive double Album of the Year nominations again for the 2026 Grammys, with work on Kendrick Lamar's GNX and Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend.
- The Producer of the Year selection process involves a national craft nominating committee, which may have aimed to diversify nominees.
Antonoff's Absence in Producer Category
The decision not to nominate Antonoff for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, in 2025 was a notable shift. Had he received a nomination, it would have been his sixth straight year. This would have placed him alongside Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who achieved this feat from 2001 to 2006. Antonoff's consistent success in this category made his omission particularly striking.
Despite this, Antonoff's work was still recognized in other major categories. For the 2025 Grammys, he earned two nominations for Album of the Year. These were for Taylor Swift’s critically acclaimed album, The Tortured Poets Department, and Sabrina Carpenter’s breakthrough collection, Short N' Sweet.
"Antonoff’s omission was especially perplexing because he was nominated for album of the year with two albums last year – Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department and Sabrina Carpenter’s breakthrough collection, Short N’ Sweet."
This dual recognition for Album of the Year highlighted his continued influence, even without a Producer of the Year nod. It suggests that while the committee may have sought to diversify the producer category, Antonoff's impact on major albums remained undeniable.
Fast Fact
Jack Antonoff has won Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, three times consecutively: 2022, 2023, and 2024. This makes him one of the most awarded producers in recent Grammy history for this specific category.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Grammys
Attention now turns to the 2026 Grammy Awards. Industry experts are speculating whether Antonoff will return to the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, nominations. His recent projects suggest a strong case for his re-inclusion. He is credited as a producer on 11 of the 12 tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s album, GNX. Additionally, he produced nine of the 12 tracks on Sabrina Carpenter’s upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend.
These significant contributions could also lead to Antonoff receiving double nominations for Album of the Year for the third consecutive year. This would be a remarkable achievement, further cementing his status as a prolific and in-demand producer.
Background on Double Nominations
Antonoff first received two Album of the Year nominations in a single year for the 2023 Grammys. These were for Taylor Swift’s Midnights, which ultimately won the award, and Lana Del Rey’s Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. Before this, he had six Album of the Year nominations but never with more than one album in the same year.
His previous Album of the Year nominations include his work with fun.’s Some Nights (2013), Taylor Swift’s 1989 (2016, a winner), Lorde’s Melodrama (2018), Lana Del Rey’s Norman F***ing Rockwell (2020), and Taylor Swift’s Folklore (2021, a winner) and Evermore (2022). In total, Antonoff has accumulated 12 Album of the Year nominations. With his work on GNX and Man’s Best Friend, this total could rise to 14 nominations when the 2026 nominations are announced.
The Producer of the Year Selection Process
Antonoff's absence from the 2025 Producer of the Year list was largely attributed to a desire by the Grammy committee to promote new talent. Three of the 2025 nominees—Alissia, Ian Fitchuk, and Mustard—were first-time nominees in the category. The other two, Daniel Nigro and Dernst “D Mile” Emile II, received their second and third nominations, respectively. Daniel Nigro ultimately won the award.
How Grammy Producer Nominations Work
The selection process for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, is detailed in the Rules & Guidelines booklet for the 68th Grammy Awards. It involves a two-stage voting system:
- First Round: The general voting membership submits their selections via the first ballot. This broad initial vote identifies a wide range of potential nominees.
- Second Round: The top 30 selections from the general membership proceed to a national craft nominating committee. This committee comprises 25-30 voting members representing all Grammy chapters. These members review the recordings and cast confidential ballots to select the final five nominations.
This process ensures that while initial popularity is considered, a specialized committee makes the final choices. This structure allows for deliberate decisions, such as broadening the pool of recognized producers. The same rigorous process applies to other craft categories, including Songwriter of the Year, Best Instrumental Composition, Best Arrangement (Instrumental or A Cappella), and Best Arrangement (Instruments and Vocals).
The key question for the 2026 Grammys is whether the committee will allow Antonoff to re-enter a category he has significantly influenced for the past decade. Given his strong output and critical acclaim, he will likely present a very compelling case for nomination once again.
- 2025 Producer of the Year Nominees: Alissia, Ian Fitchuk, Mustard, Daniel Nigro (winner), Dernst “D Mile” Emile II.
- New Nominees: Alissia, Ian Fitchuk, Mustard (3 out of 5 were first-timers).
- Antonoff's Wins: 2022, 2023, 2024.
The Grammy committee's approach highlights a balance between recognizing consistent excellence and fostering new talent. Antonoff's career demonstrates both, making his future Grammy journey a significant point of interest for the music industry.