The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are already generating serious buzz! While the show, set for February 1, 2026, is months away, the music world is already deep into the process of submitting work and making predictions. If you don’t follow music awards closely, the whole thing can seem confusing, so we’ve broken down the biggest talk points in simple terms.
Who’s Making the Biggest Play? Kendrick Lamar and Pop Royalty
In the major categories like Album of the Year (AOY) and Record of the Year, a few heavy-hitters are dominating the conversation.
- Kendrick Lamar is seen as a top contender. His latest album, “GNX,” is widely predicted to be a major challenger for Album of the Year. This is a big deal because, even though he’s won many Grammys, he has never won AOY for one of his own projects. He’s also submitted his popular track “Luther” (featuring SZA) for Record and Song of the Year. Separately, his song “Like That” and his featured part on Beyoncé’s “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” have also been submitted.
- Lady Gaga is predicted to grab multiple nominations, especially for her new work, “Mayhem”. Some analysts even think she could lead the pack in total top-category nods.
- Sabrina Carpenter is another star in the mix and could land major nominations.
- Other artists expected to contend for the biggest awards include Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish.
The Best New Artist Race: New Talent Hits the Big Time
The Best New Artist (BNA) award is always a thrilling category because it shines a light on fresh talent. This year, the race is wide open!
- Two names you’ll hear a lot are Alex Warren and Sombr. Alex Warren is considered a front-runner, especially after his hit single “Ordinary”. Sombr is also gaining serious buzz from viral success.
- Other possible nominees include Addison Rae, Ella Langley, The Marías, and Lola Young.
- There’s been a rule change that now makes more artists eligible for BNA. To be considered, an artist must have released a minimum of three singles or one album, but no more than three albums total
The Simple Guide to Grammy Voting 🗳️
The Grammys aren’t a popularity contest voted on by fans; the winners are chosen by music professionals. The voting process happens in clear stages:
| Phase | Date | What It Means |
| First Round Voting | October 3 – October 15, 2025 | Music pros vote to choose the official nominees for each award. |
| Nominations Announced | November 7, 2025 | The full list of who made the cut is released. |
| Final Round Voting | December 12, 2025 – January 5, 2026 | Voters pick the final winners from the list of nominees. |
| Grammy Ceremony | February 1, 2026 | The world finds out who won!. |
✨ Final Thoughts
The countdown is on, and the 2026 Grammys are looking like one for the books. Expect big performances, emotional wins, and maybe a few upsets too. Whether you’re team Kendrick, team Gaga, or just here for the music, this show’s about to deliver.
So tell me — who you rooting for this year?
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