November 8, 2025
From Kendrick Lamar’s 9 nods to Doechii’s continued rise, this 12 months’s Grammy nominations highlight a historic displaying for Black musicians throughout main classes.
The 2026 Grammy nominations, revealed Nov. 7, marked a milestone 12 months for Black artists, who led practically each main class. Kendrick Lamar topped the checklist with 9 nominations, together with Album of the Yr and Rap Album of the Yr for his acclaimed venture GNX.
Doechii, who broke out with a number of wins on the 2025 Grammys, scored 5 nominations this 12 months — largely fueled by her viral hit “Nervousness.” SZA, the Clipse, and Tyler, the Creator every earned 5 nods as nicely, solidifying a 12 months of hip-hop and R&B dominance.
For the primary time since 2019, three rap albums — Lamar’s “GNX,” Clipse’s “Let God Kind ’Em Out,” and Tyler’s “CHROMAKOPIA” — will compete for Album of the Yr. The 2026 ceremony’s eligibility interval included releases between Aug. 31, 2024, and Aug. 30, 2025.
Lamar’s efficiency continues a unprecedented run for the Compton rapper, whose 2025 hit “Not Like Us” swept main classes together with Report of the Yr and Track of the Yr. If Lamar wins 4 or extra trophies subsequent February, he’ll surpass Jay-Z as probably the most awarded rapper in Grammy historical past.
Becoming a member of the lineup is rising R&B star Leon Thomas, whose album MUTT and hit single “Sure It Is” earned him nominations for Finest New Artist, Finest R&B Album, Finest R&B Track, and Finest R&B Efficiency.
Different standout nominees embody Kehlani, Kaytranada, Anderson .Paak, FKA twigs, Chris Brown, Summer time Walker, Coco Jones, Ledisi, and Durand Bernarr — a various showcase of genre-bending Black artistry shaping at present’s sound.
The Grammys additionally acknowledged Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which continued its award-season dominance by securing 5 nominations, making it one of the crucial celebrated movies in Recording Academy historical past. Regardless of dealing with criticism from conservative commentators for its social themes, Sinners has thrived commercially and critically.
In one other shocking second, Fab Morvan — previously of Milli Vanilli — acquired a nomination for Finest Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for “You Know It’s True: The Actual Story of Milli Vanilli.” The nod comes 35 years after Milli Vanilli infamously misplaced their Finest New Artist Grammy in 1990 following revelations that that they had not sung on their data.
The duo’s fall from grace stays one of the crucial dramatic scandals in Grammy historical past, as reported by Billboard, Morvan’s return to the nominations checklist serves as a uncommon redemption story — a reminder of the trade’s capability for each accountability and forgiveness.
With historic nominations, comeback tales, and highly effective illustration, the 2026 Grammys are poised to have a good time not solely the 12 months’s finest music however the evolving legacy of Black creativity in American tradition.
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