Kendrick Lamar Tops The List With Nine Grammy Nods

Kendrick Lamar is once again taking center stage in the music world, leading the pack with nine nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy made the announcement on Friday, just months after Lamar swept five trophies at the previous ceremony.

Coming in close behind is Lady Gaga, who earned seven nods for her electrifying album Mayhem. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, and R&B star Leon Thomas each scored six nominations, rounding out a fiercely competitive field.

Lamar’s latest recognition follows the massive success of his GNX album — his fifth straight project to be nominated for Album of the Year, a record no other artist has ever achieved. Though he’s already a 22-time Grammy winner, this could be his first victory in the top category. If GNX takes home the prize, it would mark only the third rap album ever to win Album of the Year, following Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1999) and Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2004).

The 38-year-old rapper has had a monumental year, dominating the last Grammys with his viral hit Not Like Us, a fiery diss track aimed at Drake. Soon after, he headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a powerhouse performance that reminded fans why he’s considered one of the greatest of his generation.

Lady Gaga, 39, also made a triumphant return with Mayhem — a bold, high-energy album that showcases her flair for theatrical pop. She’s up for Album, Record, and Song of the Year, sharing the spotlight with Bad Bunny, whose global dominance continues to grow.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is having a career-defining moment of his own. The Puerto Rican superstar, who just wrapped up a sold-out residency in San Juan, is set to headline the next Super Bowl halftime show. He’s also preparing to kick off his world tour for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos) later this month.

In another highlight, Golden — the breakout anthem from Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters — picked up three nominations, including Song of the Year.

This year’s Grammy nominations are also making waves for their diversity. The Recording Academy revealed that over 3,800 new members have joined its ranks, with nearly 60% identifying as people of color and half under the age of 40. The move aims to make the voting body more inclusive and representative of today’s global music scene.

While Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has dominated charts since October, it didn’t make this year’s eligibility window, which closed in August. But fans can expect her to return in full force for the 2027 Grammys.

As the countdown to music’s biggest night begins, one thing is certain — the 2026 Grammy Awards are shaping up to be one of the most dynamic and unpredictable ceremonies yet.