Rapper Kendrick Lamar has once again emerged as a frontrunner for the prestigious Grammy Awards, leading the nomination tally for the second consecutive year with a total of nine nods. Following closely behind is pop icon Lady Gaga, who secured seven nominations. Both artists are set to compete for the coveted Album of the Year award with Lamar’s acclaimed project “GNX” and Gaga’s latest work “MAYHEM.” Despite multiple nominations in the past, neither artist has yet captured this top honor.
In addition to Lamar and Gaga, the Album of the Year category includes nominations for Bad Bunny for his Spanish-language album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Justin Bieber for “Swag,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend.” Highlighting the diversity within the nominees, three rap albums are among those vying for the award, including Tyler, the Creator’s “Chromakopia” and Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out.”
Interestingly, Taylor Swift’s latest release “The Life of a Showgirl,” which has been a fan favorite, was not eligible for consideration as it came out after the Grammy eligibility window closed. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny, who is set to perform at the next Super Bowl halftime show, received six nominations this year, marking a significant milestone as he is the first Latin artist to be nominated in all three major categories.
Billboard awards editor Paul Grein has indicated that the competition for Album of the Year is particularly fierce this year. He expects Lamar to secure the award, which would mark him as the first solo male rap artist to do so, while also acknowledging the widespread admiration for Gaga.
In a notable expansion, two K-pop songs earned nominations in the Song of the Year category, specifically “Golden,” a track from the highly popular Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters,” and “APT.” by Rose and Bruno Mars. Having received three nominations, “Golden” has been recognized for its impact.
The Best New Artist category features rising talents such as Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, and Alex Warren, with Thomas also being recognized in the Album of the Year race for his project “Mutt.”
Winners will be determined by approximately 15,000 voting members of the Recording Academy, with the results being announced at a red-carpet ceremony in Los Angeles set for February 1. This year’s nominations reflect a vibrant and diverse music landscape, showcasing the creativity and artistry of both established stars and emerging talents, reinforcing a hopeful outlook for the industry as it continues to evolve.