Kendrick Lamar is the standout nominee for the 2026 Grammy Awards, with a chance to win up to nine awards. He’s nominated for record, song, and album of the year, marking the third time he’s been recognized in these major categories simultaneously. He’s also up for performance awards in both pop and rap, solidifying his dominant presence.
Lamar has an impressive Grammy history, with 22 wins and 66 nominations. His latest album, GNX, has made him the first solo artist to have five consecutive studio albums nominated for album of the year. If he wins, it will be a significant moment, as only two rap albums have previously taken home this top honor: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1999 and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast in 2004.
Interestingly, none of the nominees in the album of the year category have won in this category before, which includes titles from Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Clipse, Leon Thomas, and Tyler, The Creator. This year is unique, too, as it features three rap albums in the album of the year category for the first time.
Lady Gaga and producer Jack Antonoff follow Lamar with seven nominations each. Like Lamar, Gaga is nominated across all three major categories, a personal first for her. Antonoff’s nominations include both his work with Lamar and Carpenter.
Recent data from the Recording Academy shows that the representation of diverse genres, particularly rap and pop, is growing among major award nominees. Social media buzz leading up to the awards reflects excitement and anticipation, especially within the rap community, as fans discuss the significance of Lamar’s nominations on platforms like Twitter.
In addition to Lamar and Gaga, other artists like Justin Bieber are also in the mix, with nominations for his album Swag and standout songs.
The Grammy Awards will be held on February 1, 2026. It promises to be an event filled with surprises and historic wins.
For further insights on the Grammy nominations and artists, you can visit the Recording Academy.
