It finally happened. The Recording Academy dropped the list for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, and honestly, it’s a lot to process. We’re looking at a field that feels like a collision between old-school heavyweights and the "new guard" of pop and rap. If you've been following the charts lately, some of these names won't surprise you, but the specific projects chosen for album of the year nominees have already sparked some pretty heated debates.
No Taylor Swift. No Beyoncé this time—though she basically owned 2025 with Cowboy Carter. Instead, the 2026 lineup is a weird, eclectic mix of high-concept rap, chaotic pop, and the return of a certain Canadian who’s been laying low for a while.
The Official 2026 Nominees
Let’s just get the names out there first. Here is who is officially up for the big one on February 1st:
- Bad Bunny — DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
- Justin Bieber — SWAG
- Sabrina Carpenter — Man’s Best Friend
- Clipse (Pusha T & Malice) — Let God Sort Em Out
- Lady Gaga — MAYHEM
- Kendrick Lamar — GNX
- Leon Thomas — MUTT
- Tyler, the Creator — CHROMAKOPIA
Eight names. Eight very different vibes.
Kendrick vs. The Industry?
Kendrick Lamar is currently leading the pack with nine total nominations for this cycle. After his absolute scorched-earth run against Drake last year, everyone expected him to show up, but GNX is a different beast entirely. It’s not just a collection of diss tracks; it’s a dense, West Coast-heavy masterclass that feels like he's doing a victory lap while still being incredibly annoyed at everyone.
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Songs like “luther” (featuring SZA) have been everywhere for months. If you haven't heard it, you’ve probably been living under a rock. It’s the kind of high-brow rap the Academy loves to reward when they aren't feeling too "pop-timistic."
But then you have Tyler, the Creator. CHROMAKOPIA is... well, it’s a Tyler album. It’s weird. It’s loud. It’s deeply personal. Tyler has been vocal in the past about feeling pigeonholed into "Urban" or "Rap" categories, so seeing him here in the general field for album of the year nominees is a huge win for his "don’t box me in" philosophy.
The Pop Chaos: Gaga and Sabrina
Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM is arguably her most aggressive pop record since Born This Way. It’s dark, synth-heavy, and features that "Abracadabra" single that stayed on the charts for twenty weeks. It’s the kind of album that feels like a "comeback" even though she never really went anywhere.
Then there’s Sabrina Carpenter. Man’s Best Friend is her follow-up to the Short n' Sweet era, and it’s been polarizing. Some critics say it’s a bit too much like her previous work, but the Academy clearly disagreed. With "Manchild" picking up Record of the Year and Song of the Year nods, she’s officially a Grammy darling.
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The Wild Cards: Clipse and Leon Thomas
The biggest shock for most people—unless you’re a die-hard rap head—is the return of Clipse. Pusha T and Malice haven't put out a duo album in forever. Let God Sort Em Out got a 10/10 from some major critics (including Anthony Fantano), which is basically unheard of. It’s gritty. It’s spiritual. It’s also very, very "adult" rap. Seeing them on a list next to Justin Bieber is kinda surreal.
Speaking of Leon Thomas, MUTT is the "musician’s choice" on this list. He’s been a producer for years, working with everyone from Ariana Grande to SZA. MUTT is a soulful, R&B-leaning project that probably has the least "mainstream" recognition on the list, but it’s arguably the most technically impressive in terms of composition.
Bieber’s "SWAG" Factor
Justin Bieber is back. SWAG is a bloated project—thirty-something tracks if you count the deluxe—but it’s had some massive highlights like "DAISIES." It’s his first real run at a Grammy in this decade, and the Academy seems to be welcoming him back with open arms. Whether it’s actually better than the other seven is a conversation people are having on Twitter (or X, whatever) every single day.
Why This List Matters for 2026
The Academy is trying to prove they aren't just a "popular vote" machine anymore. By including Clipse and Leon Thomas, they’re throwing a bone to the critics. By including Gaga, Bieber, and Sabrina, they’re keeping the TV ratings alive.
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What’s interesting is the demographic shift. More independent-leaning labels like pgLang (Kendrick) and EZMNY (Leon Thomas) are taking up space that used to belong exclusively to Sony or Warner. It’s a bit of a power shift in the background that most fans don’t see.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to be ready for the ceremony on February 1st, there are a few things you should probably do:
- Listen to "luther" and "Manchild" back-to-back. It’ll give you a perfect idea of the two ends of the spectrum the Grammys are trying to bridge this year.
- Check out the "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" EP. Bad Bunny is the only Spanish-language entry in this category, and it’s much more experimental than his previous "party" albums.
- Watch the Tyler, the Creator live performances. If you want to understand why CHROMAKOPIA is a contender, you have to see the visual side of it.
The race is basically a three-way tie between Kendrick, Bad Bunny, and Gaga according to the betting markets. It’s going to be a long night in February.