What's happened
The 2026 Grammy nominations have been announced, led by Kendrick Lamar with nine nods, including record and song of the year. Lady Gaga follows with seven nominations. The awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, featuring diverse artists and genres, including notable K-pop acts and new contenders.
What's behind the headline?
The 2026 Grammy nominations highlight a shift toward greater diversity and genre melting, with hip-hop dominating top categories and K-pop gaining recognition. Lamar's dominance underscores his continued influence, while the inclusion of Spanish-language albums and new artists signals the Recording Academy's efforts to reflect contemporary music trends. The expanded voting base, with more young and diverse members, suggests a move toward more inclusive and representative awards. However, the absence of major pop stars like Taylor Swift indicates ongoing challenges in balancing commercial success with Grammy eligibility rules. The ceremony's location in Los Angeles and its broad genre representation will likely influence future nominations and industry perceptions, emphasizing the importance of diversity and innovation in the music industry.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports Kendrick Lamar's nine nominations, including for 'GNX', and notes his previous wins for 'Not Like Us'. Sky News highlights the diversity of nominees, including K-pop tracks and Spanish-language albums, and discusses the expanded voting membership of the Recording Academy. The New York Times emphasizes Lamar's dominance and the genre diversity, while AP News mentions the ceremony's location and the broadcast details. France 24 provides context on the nominations' reflection of contemporary trends, including the rise of K-pop and Latin artists. The Independent notes the prominence of hip-hop and the inclusion of new artists, and Ben Sisario discusses the notable omissions and the significance of Lamar's nominations. Overall, these sources collectively portray a Grammy landscape increasingly characterized by genre diversity, cultural representation, and evolving industry dynamics.
How we got here
The Grammy nominations are based on recordings released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. This year's list reflects increased diversity, with expanded voting membership and a broader range of genres and artists. Notably, Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations, and K-pop artists have gained recognition for the first time in several categories.
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