Nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards have been announced, and with several heavy-hitters throughout the categories, here are my personal picks, who I think will actually win, and strong contenders who could edge them out.

Album Of The Year

Nominations:

• Bad Bunny — DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

• Justin Bieber — SWAG

• Sabrina Carpenter — Man’s Best Friend

• Clipse — Let God Sort Em Out

• Lady Gaga — MAYHEM

• Kendrick Lamar — GNX

• Leon Thomas — Mutt

• Tyler, the Creator — CHROMAKOPIA

This nomination list is packed with instant classics. With several incredible rap albums, including the phenomenal “Let God Sort Em Out” and Kendrick’s “GNX,” the more pop-centric “MAYHEM,” and the jazz/hip-hop fusion of “Chromakopia,” there is hardly a clear favorite. 

However, Bad Bunny’s “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” is a strong dark horse candidate given its powerful message of regret for not appreciating something after the fact, as well as being such a creative and consistent album. Add to that his upcoming Super Bowl performance and status as one of the biggest artists in the world, I think he can snatch this award from some of the bigger favorites. If the award were to go in a more pop music direction, I think Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM” is the strongest of the group.

Personal Pick: Let God Sort Em Out

Prediction: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

Contenders: MAYHEM, GNX, Chromakopia

Record Of The Year

Nominations:

• Bad Bunny — DtMF

• Sabrina Carpenter — Manchild

• Doechii — Anxiety

• Billie Eilish — WILDFLOWER

• Lady Gaga — Abracadabra

• Kendrick Lamar with SZA — luther

• Chappell Roan — The Subway

• Rosé & Bruno Mars — APT.

This field, which rewards the track with the best overall production, has an impressive assortment of some of the year’s best songs. Standouts include Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” given their respective unique production styles. 

However, there is strong competition from Eilish and Bad Bunny, both well known for their innovative production, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the award were to go to one of them. 

I would personally like to see it go to “luther,” the song that remained at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks and took the world by storm. The stellar production highlights Lamar’s lyrical delivery and SZA’s silky smooth vocals. Given Kendrick’s recent success at last year’s awards (5 Grammys on one song), I think he has the best chance to take another golden gramophone for Best Record in 2026.

Personal Pick: luther

Prediction: luther

Contenders: Abracadabra, Manchild

Song Of The Year

Nominations:

• Lady Gaga — Abracadabra

• Doechii — Anxiety

• Rosé & Bruno Mars — APT.

• Bad Bunny — DtMF

• Huntr/x — Golden [From KPop Demon Hunters]

• Kendrick Lamar with SZA — luther

• Sabrina Carpenter — Manchild

• Billie Eilish — WILDFLOWER 

This award, which recognizes a song’s lyrical composition, has many of the same songs as Record Of The Year, with the notable addition of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters. As funny as it is that a KPop Demon Hunters song is being nominated for a Grammy, it actually has a somewhat solid chance to win, given that the Grammys love a good success story. 

However, considering the Grammy magnet that Billie Eilish has been, on top of her immense songwriting skill, I think “WILDFLOWER” has to take this one. Notably, one of the biggest shocks at last year’s awards was Eilish going home empty-handed. Considering she has been nominated in this category six times and taken it home twice, I have a feeling the Academy voters will give her a third as an attempt to rectify last year’s snub.

Personal Best: WILDFLOWER

Prediction: WILDFLOWER

Contenders: Golden, luther

Best New Artist

Nominations:

• Addison Rae

• Alex Warren

• KATSEYE

• Leon Thomas

• Lola Young

• Olivia Dean

• sombr 

• The Marías 

Out of all the awards, this is the biggest toss up. Olivia Dean and The Marías are the most deserving, considering the impact their music has had on the music scene. 

Leon Thomas is also a close contender, and could easily take this award. The Marías would be the most deserving to take the award, as their seamless blend of English and Spanish over stripped down bass lines and clouded synths has been a breath of fresh air for the indie pop scene. Still, Olivia Dean’s blend of pop and soul music and genuine identity has a strong case for the award. 

KATSEYE, sombr, and Alex Warren are also very much in the running. Any of these nominees could realistically go home with a golden gramophone in their possession. 

Personal Pick: The Marías

Prediction: Olivia Dean

Contenders: Leon Thomas, Alex Warren