Kendrick Lamar Tops Grammy Nominations with Nine Recognitions

Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards with a remarkable total of nine nominations, as announced by the Recording Academy on Friday. This announcement follows Lamar’s impressive five wins at the previous ceremony. The awards, which recognize the best in the music industry, will take place in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.

Following Lamar, Lady Gaga received seven nominations for her latest album, Mayhem. A trio of artists—Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas—are tied with six nominations each. Lamar is in contention for the prestigious album, record, and song of the year awards at the 68th Grammys, aiming to build on his recent success.

Among those competing for the best album award alongside Lamar are Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Carpenter, Thomas, Tyler the Creator, hip-hop duo Clipse (comprised of Pusha T and Malice), and pop icon Justin Bieber, who is releasing his first studio album in four years. Lamar, aged 38, previously dominated the Grammys in February with five awards for his hit track Not Like Us, a viral diss aimed at fellow rapper Drake.

A week after his Grammy success, Lamar headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a performance that included classics and references to his ongoing rivalry with Drake. Interestingly, the song Not Like Us was not featured on his latest album, GNX, which is the source of his nominated tracks this time around.

Lady Gaga, aged 39, made a notable return to touring with Mayhem, a collection of upbeat pop tracks that showcase her dramatic flair. She is also up for album, record, and song of the year, alongside Bad Bunny. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has garnered multiple nominations for the upcoming Latin Grammys and is set to perform at the next Super Bowl halftime show. After a three-month residency in Puerto Rico, he is preparing to launch a world tour in support of his album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos later this month in the Dominican Republic.

Among other noteworthy nominations, the hit song Golden from the Netflix animated series KPop Demon Hunters has received three Grammy nominations, including one for song of the year.

Focus on Diversity in Nominations

Music industry observers will analyze the nominees across all 95 categories to determine whether the changes implemented by the Recording Academy have effectively addressed longstanding concerns regarding diversity. Recently, over 3,800 new members were inducted into the Academy, significantly increasing the pool of eligible Grammy voters. Notably, half of these new members are under the age of 39, and 58 percent identify as people of color, according to the Academy.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, commented, “This year’s class reflects the vibrancy of today’s diverse music landscape.”

Despite the excitement surrounding the nominations, there is a notable absence in the mix: Taylor Swift. Her album, The Life of a Showgirl, has been widely popular since its release in October, but it is not eligible for the 2026 Grammys due to the submission window closing on August 30. Swift is expected to feature prominently in the 2027 ceremony.

As the music world anticipates the upcoming Grammy Awards, the nominations underscore both individual achievements and the evolving landscape of the industry, reflecting broader cultural shifts.