The 2026 Grammy Award nominations have been announced, with Kendrick Lamar leading with nine nods and Lady Gaga close behind with seven. Rising artists, global legends, and surprising omissions shape this year’s highly competitive awards landscape.
The Recording Academy has unveiled the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, with Kendrick Lamar leading the field with nine nominations, followed closely by Lady Gaga with seven. The announcement showcases a diverse mix of global stars, breakthrough newcomers and unexpected contenders across major categories.
One of the year’s notable rising stars, Alex Warren, whose heartfelt single Ordinary became the UK’s biggest song of the year, secured a nomination for Best New Artist, although he missed out in other major categories.
In a surprising twist, Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet received a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack, thanks to his album of Bob Dylan songs featured in the biographical film A Complete Unknown.
Another standout moment comes in the Best Audiobook category, where the Dalai Lama finds himself competing against the autobiography of Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan, among other prominent figures.
British Artists Make a Strong Showing
British talent is well represented this year. Rising stars Olivia Dean and Lola Young have both earned nominations for Best New Artist, placing them in the esteemed company of previous British nominees like Adele and Amy Winehouse. Young’s acclaimed single Messy also earned recognition in the Best Pop Solo Performance category.
Indie duo Wet Leg continue their award momentum with nominations for Best Alternative Album (Moisturizer) and Best Alternative Song (Mangetout), honors they previously captured in 2023. The band also secured a nod for Best Album Cover, a newly introduced category.
Elsewhere, The Cure return to the Grammy conversation with two nominations following their first new album release in over 16 years. Actress and vocalist Cynthia Erivo also earned two nominations, including one for Defying Gravity, her collaborative performance with Ariana Grande.
In the electronic and alternative scene, FKA Twigs and PinkPantheress will compete head-to-head for Best Dance Album. Meanwhile, Doncaster-born rock artist Yungblud celebrates his first-ever Grammy nominations, earning recognition for Best Rock Album (Idols), Best Rock Song (Zombie), and Best Rock Performance thanks to his emotional live rendition of Black Sabbath’s Changes performed at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert.
Other notable UK nominees include Flo, Disclosure, Fred Again, Sleep Token, Skepta, and Raye.
One of the biggest surprises of the year is the complete absence of Coldplay from the nominations, despite strong expectations for their album Moon Music and its single All My Love.
Top Nominees of 2026
- Kendrick Lamar: 9 nominations
- Lady Gaga: 7 nominations
- Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas: 6 nominations each
Why Taylor Swift Is Not on the List
For the first time since 2006, Taylor Swift is not eligible for the Grammys. Her album The Life of a Showgirl was released after the 30 August 2025 cutoff date. As a result, the project will qualify for the 2027 Grammy Awards, where it is widely expected to be a major contender.
How Grammy Voting Works
This year, nearly 23,000 submissions were entered for consideration. The most competitive category was Song of the Year, with 1,015 entries, while Best Compilation Soundtrack saw the fewest submissions at 48.
Once eligibility is confirmed, nearly 15,000 voting members — including musicians, producers, critics, and industry professionals — participate in selecting the final nominees. Following the shortlist announcement, the final voting round will occur between December 12 and January 5.
The winners will be revealed during the 2026 Grammy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.
