What's happened
The 2026 Grammy nominations are led by Kendrick Lamar with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga with seven. Notably, Bad Bunny makes history as the first Spanish-language artist nominated for major categories. Taylor Swift is ineligible this year due to timing, marking her first absence since 2018. The awards will be held on February 1 in Los Angeles.
What's behind the headline?
The nominations reflect a diverse range of artists, with Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga leading the pack, highlighting their continued influence in the industry. Bad Bunny's historic nominations mark a significant milestone for Spanish-language music, signaling increasing diversity in mainstream recognition. Swift's absence underscores how release timing impacts award eligibility, despite her longstanding prominence. The event's timing and category changes suggest the Grammys are adapting to evolving musical landscapes, but the process remains heavily reliant on industry insiders' judgments. This year's nominations reveal both the industry's shifting tastes and its persistent gatekeeping, which may influence future artist recognition and diversity efforts.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations, with Lady Gaga close behind at seven, and highlights Bad Bunny's historic nominations as the first Spanish-language artist in major categories. Business Insider UK discusses Taylor Swift's ineligibility due to release timing, marking her first absence since 2018, and notes her record 14 Grammys. The Independent explains the nomination process, including voting procedures and eligibility criteria, emphasizing how the Grammys are evolving with category changes and industry dynamics.
How we got here
The Grammy nominations are determined through a voting process involving members of the Recording Academy, who vet submissions and select finalists. Eligibility is based on music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Notably, Taylor Swift's latest album was released outside this window, rendering her ineligible for this year's awards. The process involves multiple rounds of voting, with final winners announced live at the ceremony in Los Angeles.
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