The Grammy Awards, which have captivated singers and non-singers alike for nearly 70 years, are once again ready to recognize and celebrate excellence in the music industry. With 96 categories for the 2026 ceremony — from Album Of The Year to Best Rap Album — keep reading to find out who will get to add a gramophone to their trophy case and who will leave with nothing but a bruised ego.
Album of the Year
Who should win: GNX
With over 57 nominations, and 22 wins including five for his infamous song “Not Like Us” at last year’s ceremony, Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to the Grammy stage, and would be a shoo-in for this year’s Album of the Year. “GNX” Lamar’s sixth studio album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and draws on both classic and contemporary conventions of hip-hop.
Who will win: Man’s Best Friend
At just 26 years old, Sabrina Carpenter has won two Grammy Awards for her album “Short n’ Sweet,” which took home the awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance for its lead single, “Espresso,” at last year’s ceremony. With her Short n’ Sweet tour in full swing, it would be no surprise if the singer’s seventh studio album reigned victorious at this year’s ceremony.
Song of the Year
Who should win: “WILDFLOWER”
“Hit Me Hard and Soft,” Billie Eilish’s third studio album, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, topped only by Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poet’s Department.” Last year, Eilish’s song “Birds of a Feather” from the same album was nominated for Song of the Year along with six other nominations for the singer-songwriter. Despite this, Eilish went home empty-handed, making her the perfect person to win Song of the Year in February.
Who will win: “Abracadabra”
Given its critical reception and nominations for both Record and Song of the Year, Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” is a strong contender to win this year’s Song of the Year. With many comparing the track to the singer’s 2011 hit “Born This Way,” Gaga’s addition of a more modern sound makes the song a perfect blend of new and old — and the most obvious choice for Song of the Year.
Best New Artist
Who should win: Olivia Dean
After the release of her first album, “Messy,” in 2023, Olivia Dean has since won the BBC’s Music Introducing Artist of the Year. Her hit single “Man I Need,” from her second album, “The Art of Loving,” has become a popular sound and trend on social media, namely TikTok. With a voice that has been described by many as velvety and effortlessly confident, it is without a doubt that Dean should be recognized for her raw talent.
Who will win: Alex Warren
His song “Ordinary,” from his debut album, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid,” made it big spending 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking the record for the longest-running No. 1 on the Pop Airplay chart. Since then, Alex Warren has proven himself time and time again and would be a worthy candidate for this year’s Best New Artist.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Who should win: “Defying Gravity”
The newest spin-off rendition of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” has taken over the big screen for almost a year, with the first half of the two-part installment released in November of last year. The film’s main characters, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande), gave a number of memorable performances in the film, namely the finale performance of “Defying Gravity.” It’s safe to say that all will be holding space to see the unlikely duo win big on the Grammy stage.
Who will win: “APT”
Bruno Mars, who is known for his versatile musical style, has collaborated with his fair share of artists over the years, including Lady Gaga, who received seven nominations for this year’s ceremony, and now with Rosé, a member of the popular K-pop girl group Blackpink. Their song “APT,” which was released in October of last year, has captivated listeners with its catchy lyrics and is nominated for record and song of the year at this year’s ceremony.
Best Rock Song
Who should win: “Zombie”
Dominic Harrison, who is best known by his stage name Yungblud and known for his crazy onstage antics as well as his emo sense of style, has often been compared to the late Ozzy Osbourne, a rock legend of the 70’s. His song “Zombie,” among others, show his potential to be the next rock star of our generation, and I can’t think of a better way to kick that off than a big win at this year’s ceremony.
Who will win: “Glum”
Hayley Williams, who has been the lead singer of the rock band Paramore since its debut in 2004, isn’t new to the world of rock and roll. Last year, the band won Best Rock Album for “This Is Why” and Best Alternative Music for the same record. But, this year Williams is taking it solo and it would be glum if the artist didn’t take home the gold.
