The race for the 2026 Grammy Awards has officially begun, and the music world is buzzing with anticipation as ballots landed in the inboxes of Recording Academy voting members on October 3, 2025. This annual ritual, always a source of speculation and strategy, has taken on new intensity this year—thanks largely to a fierce field led by Kendrick Lamar and a host of other chart-topping artists eager for Grammy gold. With first-round voting set to close on October 15 and nominations to be unveiled on November 7, the coming weeks promise plenty of drama, debate, and, no doubt, a few surprises.
At the heart of the conversation sits Kendrick Lamar, whose latest album GNX has reignited his dominance in hip-hop and beyond. According to Variety, Lamar is widely forecasted as a major contender, with GNX and its SZA-assisted single "Luther" submitted across a stunning array of categories: Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Melodic Rap Performance, and Best Music Video, to name just a few. His collaborative track "tv off" with Left Gunplay is also in the running for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, while "30 For 30" with SZA eyes Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. In total, Lamar has potential nominations in 11 categories, a testament to both his creative reach and his strategic approach to the Grammys this year.
The stakes for Lamar are historic. As Kurrco and Variety note, should he clinch four awards next February, his career total would rise to 26—surpassing Jay-Z to become the most decorated hip-hop artist in Recording Academy history, assuming Jay-Z doesn’t add to his own tally. This potential milestone adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already electrifying contest. As one observer put it, "Whether or not he takes home the top prizes, one thing is clear: Kendrick Lamar’s legacy as a generational voice—and perhaps hip-hop’s most celebrated craftsman—is firmly within reach."
Lamar is far from alone in the Grammy fray. SZA, his frequent collaborator, has her own formidable slate of submissions: "Another Life" for Best R&B Performance, "Chill Baby" for Best R&B Song, "Crybaby" for Traditional R&B Performance, "BMF" for Best Pop Solo Performance, and "Drive" for Music Video. Her presence across genres underscores the increasingly fluid boundaries of contemporary music—and the Grammys’ ongoing struggle to keep pace.
The rap categories are especially crowded this year. Clipse, the critically acclaimed duo, returned with their reunion album Let God Sort Em Out, submitted for Best Rap Album. Their track "Chains and Whips"—featuring both Lamar and Pharrell Williams (who is himself up for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical)—is in contention for Best Rap Performance, while "The Birds Don't Sing" is aiming for Best Rap Song. Heavyweights like LL Cool J (The Force), Kanye West (Donda 2), Lil Wayne (Tha Carter VI), Playboi Carti (Music), Jackboys and Travis Scott (Jackboys 2), Tyler, the Creator (Chromakopia), and Lil Uzi Vert (Eternal Atake 2) round out a fiercely competitive field.
Pop and R&B are no less dynamic. The Weeknd, who famously boycotted the Grammys in 2021 amid allegations of corruption in the nomination process, made a surprise return this year. He submitted Hurry Up Tomorrow for Album of the Year and the single "Timeless" for Record and Song of the Year, alongside other entries in pop and R&B categories. As Variety reports, "He’s not holding back, either," with entries for Best Pop Solo Performance ("Cry for Me"), Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("São Paulo" with Anitta), and Best Music Video ("Open Hearts").
Other notable stories include Justin Bieber’s genre-blending approach with his album Swag. Bieber, who has previously voiced frustration over category placements, split his submissions this year: "Daisies" is up for Record and Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, "Swag" for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, and "Yukon" for Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Music Video. It’s a calculated bid to straddle the pop and R&B worlds—and perhaps finally secure recognition in both.
Country star Morgan Wallen, meanwhile, has chosen to sit this one out. As confirmed to Variety in August, Wallen did not submit his chart-topping album I’m the Problem for Grammy consideration, though his name does appear in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical credits via collaborator Charlie Handsome.
Bad Bunny’s politically charged Spanish-language album Debí Tirar Más Fotos is another focal point. The album is submitted for Album of the Year and Best Musica Urbana Album, with "Baile Inolvidable" and "DTMF" vying for Record and Song of the Year. He’s also seeking recognition in the Best Global Music Performance category with "EoO." With the Grammys scheduled just ahead of his highly anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, Bad Bunny is poised for a landmark season, regardless of the outcome.
The pop categories are especially stacked. Ariana Grande returned with Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead, submitting "Twilight Zone" for Record and Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, and her "Wicked" duet "Defying Gravity" for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The "Wicked" soundtrack itself is submitted for Album of the Year and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. Miley Cyrus is also in the mix with Something Beautiful, which is up for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Music Film. Her singles "End of the World" and "More to Lose" are submitted for Record and Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, respectively, while "Walk of Fame" featuring Brittany Howard is in the running for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Lady Gaga, never one to shy away from a strategic campaign, is back with Mayhem. Her submissions include Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and a slew of entries for her singles "Abracadabra" (Record and Song of the Year, Best Dance Pop Recording, Best Music Video, Best Remixed Recording) and "Disease" (Best Pop Solo Performance). She’s also aiming for rock recognition with "Perfect Celebrity" in Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song.
Emerging artists are making their mark as well. Chappell Roan, last year’s Best New Artist winner, submitted her singles "The Subway" and "The Giver" in categories ranging from Record and Song of the Year to Best Pop Solo Performance and, in a genre-bending twist, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song. As Variety highlights, Roan’s willingness to branch out could make her one of the season’s most intriguing stories.
With ballots cast and campaigns underway, the 2026 Grammy Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of both legacy acts and fresh voices. The competition is fierce, the strategies are bold, and the stakes—both personal and historic—couldn’t be higher. As the music world waits for the nominations, one thing is certain: the road to the Grammys will be anything but dull.
