2026 Grammy Predictions: Record, Album, Best New Artist & More

Every year, I tune into the Grammy Awards. It’s the biggest night in music history, from the red carpet outfits, the predestined controversial moments, and iconic performances.

Last year, I accurately predicted Cowboy Carter by Beyonce as Album of the Year, Chappell Roan for Best New Artist, and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar as Song of the Year. Let’s just say, I have a knack for foreseeing how the Recording Academy would cast their vote. So, following the official release of the nominees, I’ve decided to make my predictions once more before the grand event on February 1.

Record of the Year

Last year, Kendrick Lamar and his team of producers and engineers took home the award for “Not Like Us.” This year, the lineup is extremely difficult. Each one is a banger.

Nominees: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “Anxiety” by Doechii, “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, “The Subway” by Chappell Roan, and “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish

Predicted winner: I’ve narrowed down the category to two songs: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga and “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA. The former marks the comeback for Lady Gaga. She truly never left, but this song was played everywhere, the dance was iconic, and the instrumentation was quite experimental. Not to mention, it’s very vogue-able. On the other hand, “luther” is an upbeat R&B track that samples Luther Vandross. I do love me some Vandross, but for me, Gaga prevails.

Album of the Year

As aforementioned, Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter won Album of the Year, one of the most coveted prizes at the ceremony.

Nominees: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by Bad Bunny, “CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, the Creator, “GNX” by Kendrick Lamar, “Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse, Pusha T, and Malice, “Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter, “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga, “MUTT” by Leon Thomas, and “SWAG” by Justin Bieber  

Predicted winner: Once again, I’m tied between Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar. They both had great albums. Each song is unskippable. Lady Gaga’s album is versatile: one moment, you’re doing the “Dead Dance,” the other, you’re in your feelings listening to “Die with a Smile.” Lamar, however, keeps a consistent vibe with an upbeat rhythm. His songs are also politically and socially relevant, so I’d have to give him the win this time.

Song of the Year

This is another well-sought-after award that was given to Kendrick Lamar for “Not Like Us.”

Nominees: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “Anxiety” by Doechii, “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “Golden [From “KPop Demon Hunters”] by HUNTR/X: (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI), “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, and “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish

Predicted winner: This one in particular is going to be controversial, but mark my words, “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” by HUNTR/X is going to win. Everyone was listening to it, not just children. It conveys an uplifting and powerful message to embrace your true self. Other songs may be more emotional and lyrically complex, but all I have to say is that “Golden” accumulated well over 3 billion streams globally.

Best New Artist

Last year, Chappell Roan was awarded Best New Artist and faced intense competition. This year, the competition persists. All of the artists are phenomenal, though many of them shouldn’t be considered new artists. They each had monumental breakthroughs.

Nominees: Lola Young, Alex Warren, Leon Thomas, sombr, Addison Rae, The Marias, Katseye, and Olivia Dean

Predicted winner: Hands down, the winner has to be Olivia Dean. I might be biased, but her recent album The Art of Loving, with songs like “Man I Need” and “Baby Steps,” is one of the best albums of the year: it’s so coffeehouse core, and constantly playing on the radio, TikTok, and reels. If she doesn’t win, all the other artists are acceptable with the exception of Addison Rae. Her style doesn’t feel new to me. I’ve heard artists like her before, and the other nominees offer something new to the table.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

“Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won last year, making the bar high for this year’s nominees.

Nominees: “30 for 30” by SZA with Kendrick Lamar, “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, “Gabriela” by KATSEYE, “Golden [From “KPop Demon Hunters”] HUNTR/X: (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI), and “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Predicted winner: I think “Defying Gravity” will win. The song is very popular, and their vocals together are just insane; they give you goosebumps, especially Erivo’s iconic high note at the end. The stripped-down versions are even better.

Best R&B Performance

Muni Long won last year with “Made for Me (Live on BET) in 2025, and I’m obsessed with this version. The other artists are phenomenal as well. Each of them transforms their studio version into their respective live performances, with the exception of “Yukon.”

Nominees: “Heart of a Woman” by Summer Walker, ” Mutt(Live from NPR’s Tiny Desk)” by Leon Thomas, “Folded” by Kehlani, “It Depends” by Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller, “Yukon” by Justin Bieber.

Predicted winner: If we’re truly looking at the performance itself, then I think it should go to Leon Thomas for “Mutt.” His band transformed the original entirely. I, personally, think it’s much better. He’s playing the guitar, and there are occasional jarring keys on the piano that blend well with the choir. It’s groovy, and I’m not saying the others are not, but his performance blew me away, and it really encapsulates his artistry. If he doesn’t win, I’d like Justin Bieber to take home the prize. As a fan, it’s nice to see him finally getting appreciated and acknowledged for being part of the R&B category.

Best Rap Song

Kendrick Lamar won this category as well in 2025. This year, however, he has lots of competition.

Nominees: “tv off” by Kendrick Lamar, “TGIF” by Glorilla, “Sticky” by Tyler, the Creator, “The Birds Don’t Sing” by Clipse, Voices of Fire, Malice, Pusha T, John Legend, and “Anxiety” by Doechii.

Predicted winner: Tyler, the Creator has to win at least one Grammy, and if it’s not for Chromakopia, then it’s for “Sticky.” When this song first came out, I knew it was immediately going to be a hit. Those featured are elite as well: the song has Glorilla, Sexxy Red, and Lil Wayne. Each of their bars goes insane, and the inclusion of the marching band is the cherry on top. I do think Kendrick Lamar’s “tv off” will be a high contender. His super ball performance of this song was an explicit political statement, and he wins for this song; it’ll cement its significance in protest song discourse.

Concluding thoughts

Among all of these categories, artists who will secure at least one Grammy include Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar. These two were spectacular in their own right. Many other artists were snubbed, but the Grammy Awards are not the end-all be-all. They are a way to acknowledge commercialized success, and this sometimes disregards the artistry itself. There are many artists not included in these categories who deserve to be on the nominee list. Each opinion, however, is subjective, and no matter who wins, there will be some controversy surrounding it. That is what we love about the Grammy Awards, though: the drama, the outfits, and the music, of course.