Kendrick Lamar Leads 2026 Grammy Nominations with 9 Nod

The Recording Academy unveiled the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards on Friday, revealing a highly competitive and star-studded field. Leading the pack is Kendrick Lamar, who has once again received nine nominations — matching his tally from last year. Close behind is Lady Gaga, who earned seven nominations, putting both artists back at the forefront of this year’s awards conversation.

Lamar’s album GNX and Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM are both contenders in the prestigious Album of the Year category. Despite previous multiple nominations in this category, neither artist has yet secured a win for Album of the Year, adding anticipation to the upcoming ceremony. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 1 in Los Angeles.

Industry experts and insiders seem to favor Lamar, whose nominations span a wide range of categories, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. This broad recognition reflects strong support across the Recording Academy’s voting members. According to Billboard Awards editor Paul Grein, Kendrick Lamar is poised to potentially become the first solo male rap artist to win Album of the Year, a significant milestone in Grammy history. However, Grein also notes that Lady Gaga remains a formidable contender, “always in the conversation” for the top honors.

Other artists making significant waves this year include Sabrina Carpenter and Bad Bunny, both securing six nominations apiece. Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album has elevated her profile, cementing her place in mainstream pop music circles. Meanwhile, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has also broken through into major Grammy categories such as Album, Record, and Song of the Year. Notably, Bad Bunny is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next year, adding to his momentum.

Taylor Swift, who holds the record for most Album of the Year wins with four, is notably absent from this year’s nominations. Her latest project, The Life of a Showgirl, missed the eligibility window for the current Grammy cycle and will instead be considered for the following year’s awards.

This year’s voting will be conducted by approximately 15,000 members of the Recording Academy. The nominees represent a diverse range of genres and styles, highlighting the continued evolution of the music industry.

Fans and industry watchers will be eagerly awaiting the Grammy Awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced, celebrating the achievements of the past year in music.