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Celebrating its 67th year, the Grammy Awards remain the pinnacle event in the music industry, often hailed as “music’s biggest night.” This year’s gala unfolds in Los Angeles this Sunday, drawing a star-studded crowd from Harry Styles to Chaka Khan.
Kendrick Lamar dominates the nominations with nine nods, primarily for his acclaimed sixth studio album, GNX. Last year, he was the standout winner, securing both Record and Song of the Year for his fiery diss track, “Not Like Us.”
Other heavy hitters include Lady Gaga with seven nominations, alongside Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas, each earning six nods. Across an extensive eight-hour broadcast, 95 awards will be handed out, spanning from marquee categories like Album of the Year to niche recognitions such as Best Ambient, New Age, or Chant Album.
Top Contenders for Album of the Year
Industry insiders widely predict a tight race for Album of the Year, spotlighting Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga as frontrunners. Despite multiple previous nominations, none have yet clinched this prestigious award, adding to the anticipation.
Lady Gaga, a Grammy favorite with 14 wins from 45 nominations, returns with her seventh album, Mayhem, a vibrant homage to the grandiose pop style that catapulted her to fame. Her seasoned artistry reflects nearly two decades in the music scene, reminiscent of Beyoncé’s recent triumph.
Kendrick Lamar’s streak is historic-he’s the only artist nominated for Album of the Year five times consecutively. GNX is a dynamic, crowd-pleasing masterpiece, and awarding him would address the Grammys’ longstanding underrepresentation of hip-hop, as the last rap album to win was in 2004.
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican sensation, is the presumptive favorite. His album Debí Tirar Más Fotos blends live instrumentation with reggaeton, salsa, plena, and other Latin rhythms, showcasing a rich musical tapestry. A win would mark the first time a Spanish-language album takes home the top prize.
However, the Grammys are known for unexpected outcomes, so artists like Justin Bieber or Sabrina Carpenter could still surprise. Notably, whoever wins will be a first-time Album of the Year recipient.
Milli Vanilli’s Redemption: A Grammy Story Revisited
The infamous pop duo Milli Vanilli were stripped of their 1990 Best New Artist Grammy after it was revealed they lip-synced to other vocalists. Now, 36 years later, Fab Morvan is nominated for Best Audiobook for his memoir, You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli.
His candid account exposes the harsh realities of fame and his journey to reclaim dignity after becoming a symbol of scandal. A win here would symbolize a poignant moment of vindication.
Olivia Dean and the Race for Best New Artist
British singer Olivia Dean is a strong contender for Best New Artist, thanks to her infectious, classic pop sound and heartfelt romantic themes. Her album The Art Of Loving gained momentum just as Grammy voters were casting ballots, enhancing her chances.
Though released too late for Album of the Year consideration, Dean faces stiff competition from fellow Brit Lola Young, whose bold single “Messy” resonated widely. R&B newcomer Leon Thomas, a songwriter for Ariana Grande and Post Malone, also stands out as the only Best New Artist nominee with an Album of the Year nod.
The category also features influencer-turned-musicians Addison Rae and Alex Warren, the energetic girl group Katseye, rock artist Sombr, and LA-based indie band The Marías. For the second consecutive year, all eight nominees will perform during a dedicated segment on the Grammy night.
Highlights from Other Major Categories
The fiercely competitive Record of the Year category, essentially honoring the best single, features Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” and Chappell Roan’s “The Subway.” Yet, none have matched the widespread appeal of Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT,” a genre-blending hit with broad generational reach.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” a lush rap ballad that dominated the US charts for 13 weeks, is the main rival. Should “APT” win, Rosé would become the first K-pop artist to claim a Grammy, while Bruno Mars would set a new record with his fourth Record of the Year trophy, surpassing Paul Simon.
The Song of the Year category, which honors songwriters, largely mirrors this shortlist but adds “Golden” from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. The extensive use of samples in “Luther” and “APT” might disadvantage them here, potentially benefiting Carpenter’s country-pop “Manchild” or Bad Bunny’s reflective “DTMF (I should have taken more photos).”
Star-Studded Grammy Performers Lineup
The Grammy stage will feature an impressive roster of performers, including:
- Justin Bieber
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Clipse & Pharrell Williams
- Olivia Dean
- Katseye
- Lady Gaga
- Lauryn Hill (Tribute to D’Angelo & Roberta Flack)
- Reba McIntyre with Brandy Clark and Luka Nelson
- The Marías
- Bruno Mars
- Post Malone, Slash, Chad Smith (Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne)
- Addison Rae
- Rosé
- Sombr
- Tyler, The Creator
- Leon Thomas
- Alex Warren
- Lola Young
Will Taylor Swift Make an Appearance?
Despite swirling rumors, Grammy producer Ben Winston has confirmed that Taylor Swift will not perform this year. The speculation originated from the entertainment site Hits Daily Double, which Winston dismissed as unfounded.
Additionally, Bad Bunny will be absent from the stage due to his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show commitment.
K-Pop’s Moment: A Grammy Breakthrough?
Although no K-pop artist has yet won a Grammy, the genre’s influence is undeniable. BTS has earned multiple nominations and performed at past ceremonies, but this year could be historic. Rosé, from Blackpink, is nominated for three awards for her infectious duet “APT” with Bruno Mars.
She competes in Song of the Year against the fictional K-pop group Huntr/x from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. Meanwhile, Katseye, a girl group trained under the rigorous K-pop system, is nominated for Best Group and Best Pop Group Performance for their single “Gabriela.”
Audrey Nuna, a member of Huntr/x, expressed excitement about the representation of Korean artists on the Grammy stage, highlighting the cultural significance for young fans worldwide.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. recently acknowledged growing support among voters for a dedicated K-pop category, potentially debuting in time for BTS’s anticipated comeback.
Noteworthy Nominees and Unexpected Highlights
Barbra Streisand aims to overturn a long streak of near misses with her duets album The Secret of Life, nominated for Best Traditional Pop Album. However, she faces tough competition from Lady Gaga, Elton John & Brandi Carlile, and Icelandic jazz vocalist Laufey.
Rock band Haim could make history as the first all-female group to win Best Rock Album. Alana Haim described the nomination as a milestone, crediting the trailblazing women who paved the way.
In a unique nod, the Dalai Lama is nominated for Best Audiobook for Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, marking his inaugural Grammy recognition.
Additionally, eight-year-old Aura V is in the running for Best Children’s Album with Harmony, a joyful project created alongside her father, Harold Simmons II, potentially making her the youngest Grammy winner ever.
Will Political Themes Surface During the Ceremony?
With Bruce Springsteen recently releasing a politically charged song criticizing “King Trump” and federal agents, it’s expected that social and political issues will resonate throughout the Grammy performances.
Billie Eilish, nominated for Record and Song of the Year, has urged fellow artists to speak out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions linked to protester deaths. Bad Bunny has also openly condemned ICE agents.
While President Trump defended the immigration raids as targeting “thousands of hardened criminals,” he later announced a plan to “de-escalate” amid mounting tensions.
Grammy producer Harvey Mason Jr. anticipates that the current climate will be palpable in the music and performances, whether through direct statements or the emotional intensity of the art.
Understanding the Grammy Voting Process
Approximately 15,000 music professionals are eligible to vote this year, including artists, producers, songwriters, and even album liner note authors. To qualify, members must be active in the industry and pay a $150 annual fee to the Recording Academy. Past Grammy winners automatically retain voting rights.
Voters can cast ballots in up to 10 categories across three fields, such as rock, classical, or R&B, ideally within their areas of expertise. All members participate in selecting winners for the six major awards: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, and Producer of the Year.
The 2026 Grammys honor music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Over 20,000 submissions were received, with winners kept under wraps until the live event.
How to Watch the Grammys in the UK
The ceremony is divided into two segments. The “Premiere Ceremony,” where 80 awards are presented, begins at 12:30 PM local time in Los Angeles (8:30 PM in London) on Sunday. This segment often features more spontaneous performances and highlights emerging British artists like Wet Leg, Yungblud, FKA Twigs, and Sleep Token.
Red carpet coverage starts at 3:00 PM LA time (11:00 PM UK), leading into the main show at 5:00 PM LA time (1:00 AM Monday UK). The primary broadcast airs live on CBS and Paramount Plus in the US.
Currently, there is no official UK broadcast or streaming option without using VPNs, but social media platforms rapidly share clips and highlights. Full speeches and select performances typically appear on YouTube the following day.
