2026 Grammy Nomination Predictions: Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter

As the anticipation for the 2026 Grammy Awards builds, fans and industry insiders are assessing the potential nominees across major categories. The eligibility window from September 2024 to August 2025 has introduced intriguing possibilities, even though it may lack the standout superstar releases seen in previous years.

Kendrick Lamar: The Front-Runner

Kendrick Lamar emerges as the clear favorite for multiple awards, including Album of the Year. His latest album, “GNX,” features the much-anticipated collaboration with SZA on the track “Luther.” After winning five Grammys in 2025, including Song and Record of the Year, Lamar’s dominance this time around could feel repetitive but remains compelling for fans and voters alike.

• Key Track: “Luther” (featured artist SZA)
• Previous Wins: 5 Grammys in 2025

Exploring Other Contenders

While Lamar stands out, other significant artists could make waves. Sabrina Carpenter recently released her album “Man’s Best Friend,” which has garnered positive reviews and could easily place her among the top contenders.

Returning Names

Several notable artists are returning to the Grammy race, albeit with varying levels of contribution:

• Lady Gaga: Her critically acclaimed album “Mayhem” shows promise in this year’s competition.
• Billie Eilish: Eligible for her single “Wildflower,” previously nominated last year.
• Chappell Roan: Submitting “The Subway,” a more mainstream track compared to her earlier non-album singles.

Notable Entries and Predictions

As we look at the potential nominees for Album of the Year, here are the eight leading contenders:

• Kendrick Lamar – “GNX”
• Lady Gaga – “Mayhem”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
• Jon Batiste – “Big Money”
• Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
• Elton John & Brandi Carlile – “Who Believes in Angels?”
• Laufey – “A Matter of Time”
• The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”

Possible Dark Horses

Alongside these leading figures, several other artists may surprise observers:

• Justin Bieber – “Swag”
• Coldplay – “All My Love”
• Kali Uchis – “Sincerely”
• Alex Warren – “You’ll Be All Right, Kid”

Record and Song of the Year

Similar discussions surround the Record and Song of the Year categories. Notable entries include:

• Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
• Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
• Alex Warren – “Ordinary”

Best New Artist Contenders

The Best New Artist category appears highly competitive and unpredictable this year. Key players include:

• Ella Langley
• The Marías
• Alex Warren
• Lola Young

The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards will be unveiled on November 7, creating excitement for fans and industry professionals eager to see which artists rise to the occasion.