Who Should Win at the 2026 GRAMMYs
This year's Big Four categories are full of many worthy (and not-so-worthy) contenders.
The GRAMMYs just released their list of nominations for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards ceremony. From their picks, here’s who should win.
Song of the Year
Nominees:
“Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
“Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
“DtMF” — Bad Bunny
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish
“luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Golden” — HUNTR/X
“APT.” — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
Who should win: “luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
In “luther,” two titans of the industry came together to create something beautiful, reminiscent of 2024’s “Die With A Smile,” a duet between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Lamar and SZA blend wonderfully together on the track, and it’s no wonder the two continue to work together, like on SZA’s “30 for 30” or on their “Grand National Tour” together. Additionally, the song went #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and currently has over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, proving its popularity and impact.
Record of the Year
Nominees:
“DtMF” — Bad Bunny
“Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
“luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“The Subway” — Chappell Roan
“APT.” — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
Who should win: “Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s “reheated nachos” work perfectly on this track. It’s a blend of old and new, combining dance pop with industrial production. From the rhythmic postchorus to the classic Gaga-esque chorus to the operatic vocals in the bridge, everything is well-produced and thought-through. In addition, the music video — which premiered during last year’s GRAMMYs — is one for the ages.
Album of the Year
Nominees:
“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” — Bad Bunny
“SWAG” — Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend” — Sabrina Carpenter
“Let God Sort Em Out” — Clipse, Pusha T, & Malice
“MAYHEM” — Lady Gaga
“GNX” — Kendrick Lamar
“MUTT” — Leon Thomas
“CHROMAKOPIA” — Tyler, The Creator
Who should win: Toss-up
While this year doesn’t appear particularly “stacked” in its nominees, especially in comparison to last year, I think there are three projects that are about equally deserving of the award. Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS was and is a cultural moment, garnering over 7.5 billion streams on Spotify and still pulling over 12 million daily almost a year after its release. The Puerto Rican artist has also landed the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, a testament to his success. Kendrick Lamar took that same stage earlier this year, performing many of his hits from GNX. Songs like “luther” and “tv off” have become greatly popular, and the album’s dominance, especially in the earlier half of the year, gives it a good shot in the category. Lastly, Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM.” A return to form while also diving into new territories, Gaga took over the world yet again with “Die With A Smile,” “Abracadabra,” and others from the album. Her free Copacabana concert earlier this year broke the record for the most-attended concert by a female artist in history. Overall, I think these three albums have an equal shot at winning, and they all deserve the title of Album of the Year.
Best New Artist
Nominees:
Olivia Dean
KATSEYE
The Marias
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Who should win: Olivia Dean or Addison Rae
Olivia Dean has had a breakthrough year with “Man I Need,” which has spent many consecutive weeks in Spotify’s Top 10 globally, along with “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” off of her sophomore album, “The Art Of Loving.” Her breakthrough into public consciousness has been undeniable. Addison Rae also had a great year in music with the release of her debut album, “Addison.” It’s a collection of great pop songs, including “Diet Pepsi,” “Fame Is A Gun,” and “Headphones On,” and it’s clear Addison Rae has both a tasteful ear and an ambitious heart. While the odds are more in Olivia Dean’s favor, both artists are deserving of the title.
