When the Recording Academy unveiled the 2026 Grammy nominations in early November, the music world braced for its annual jolt of excitement—and, as always, a fair share of controversy. This year, the nominations list is a patchwork of blockbuster stars, rising talents, and eyebrow-raising snubs that have ignited debates across the industry and among fans worldwide. With the official ceremony set for February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable Grammy nights in recent memory.
Leading the charge this year is Kendrick Lamar, whose album GNX earned him a staggering nine nominations, including all the major categories. According to Living Media India, Lamar’s creative dominance is matched only by Lady Gaga, who notched seven nods for her flamboyant pop record Mayhem. But perhaps the most historic news comes courtesy of Bad Bunny: as reported by TMZ and Living Media India, he’s the first Spanish-speaking artist ever to land nominations in the Grammys’ three top categories—Album, Record, and Song of the Year—thanks to his chart-topping album DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS and the global hit “DtMF.”
The Album of the Year race is as crowded as it is competitive. Alongside Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar, nominees include Justin Bieber (Swag), Sabrina Carpenter (Man’s Best Friend), Clipse (Let God Sort Em Out), Leon Thomas (Mutt), and Tyler, the Creator (Chromakopia). The diversity of these albums reflects an evolving pop landscape, with genres and influences colliding in unexpected ways. Sabrina Carpenter, who also picked up nods for Record and Song of the Year with “Manchild,” is among the new generation of pop stars making a serious bid for Grammy glory.
Meanwhile, the Song of the Year category reads like a who’s who of contemporary music: Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” Doechii’s “Anxiety,” Rose & Bruno Mars’ “APT,” Bad Bunny’s “DtMF,” Hunter/x’s “Golden,” Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA’s “Luther,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” and Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” all made the cut. These nominations, as detailed by Living Media India, highlight the Academy’s embrace of both established icons and fresh voices.
But the buzz around the nominations isn’t just about who made the list—it’s also about who didn’t. As reported by Quick Read and Gamesradar, two of the music industry’s most celebrated figures, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, were notably absent, having not released new albums within the eligibility window (August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025). For Swifties and the Beyhive, the disappointment is real, but the Recording Academy was quick to clarify that their latest projects will be eligible next year.
Other high-profile omissions have stoked even more discussion. Lorde, whose critically acclaimed fourth album Virgin was expected to be a contender, received no nominations at all, reigniting memories of past Grammy snubs. The Weeknd, who has had a tumultuous relationship with the Academy since calling it “corrupt” in 2021, was also left out despite releasing Hurry Up Tomorrow. Fans and commentators alike are left wondering whether these exclusions reflect ongoing rifts or simply the fierce competition of a crowded year.
It wasn’t all bad news for pop’s leading ladies, though. Miley Cyrus secured a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album with Something Beautiful, while Ariana Grande picked up a nod for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her rendition of “Defying Gravity” alongside Cynthia Erivo. However, both were overlooked in the Best Music Film category, despite releasing albums in visual form—a detail noted by TMZ.
Among the year’s most talked-about surprises is Timothée Chalamet’s first-ever Grammy nomination. Known primarily for his acting roles and high-profile relationship with Kylie Jenner, Chalamet made the leap to music recognition with a song performed for the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. As Quick Read points out, it’s a rare crossover that signals the Academy’s growing openness to multi-hyphenate artists and projects that blur the lines between music and film.
The Grammys also continue to expand their reach beyond traditional music. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice, was nominated in the Best Audio Book/Narration category for her memoir-based audiobook Lovely One. It’s a testament to the Academy’s evolving definition of artistic achievement, as noted by Quick Read.
Global music’s influence was on full display with K-Pop group HUNTR/X earning nominations in both Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Song of the Year for their work on the Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters. Their recognition, according to Quick Read, is a sign of K-Pop’s unstoppable ascent and the Grammys’ increasing acknowledgment of international talent.
Not all developments were met with applause. In the video game music category, the omission of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—despite its soundtrack topping the Billboard Classical charts for ten weeks—sparked disappointment. Composer Austin Wintory, himself a three-time Grammy nominee, publicly lamented the snub, stating, “I’m sad at the lack of Expedition 33 among them. I would happily trade places. That score is the definition of worthy!” as reported by Gamesradar. The nominated titles instead included Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires, Helldivers 2, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune, and Sword of the Sea.
This year’s Grammys also introduced two new categories: Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album, reflecting the Academy’s ongoing adaptation to changing musical and artistic trends, as described by TMZ. The Best New Artist category is packed with fresh faces—Olivia Dean, Katseye, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young—each vying for a breakout moment.
As the music world looks ahead to February’s ceremony, one thing is certain: the 2026 Grammys are a microcosm of the industry’s shifting tides. With icons snubbed, newcomers celebrated, and boundaries between genres and disciplines blurring, the show promises to be as unpredictable as it is unmissable. Whether the night ends with upsets, triumphs, or more controversy, it will undoubtedly reflect the ever-evolving story of music itself.
