Four Major Questions Answered Ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards Ceremony
The 68th annual Grammy Awards are set to take place this Sunday, broadcasting live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+. With executive producers Raj Kapoor, Ben Winston, and Jesse Collins returning, the event promises a fresh approach following last year's wildfire-affected show. Here are four key questions explored ahead of the ceremony.
What's New at the 2026 Grammys?
Significant changes are coming to the 2026 Grammy Awards, including the reintroduction of the best album cover category after a 53-year absence. Additionally, the best country album category has been renamed to best contemporary country album, while a new best traditional country album category has been added.
Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr. explained to The Associated Press that these changes resulted from member proposals and votes, emphasising that they were not a reaction to Beyoncé's 2025 win in the country category. "It's something we've been talking about for a number of years," he stated.
The academy has also focused on diversifying its electorate, recently inviting all Latin Grammy voting members to join. Mason jr. highlighted the importance of representing Latin music's growing influence in the industry.
What Can We Expect From the Performances?
Viewers can anticipate a packed schedule of 18 or 19 performances within the 3.5-hour broadcast. Executive producer Ben Winston confirmed that the show will feature a tight lineup with more music and less filler content.
Rehearsals begin on Thursday afternoon, continuing through Friday and Saturday, with all performances prepared in this condensed timeframe. "It's absolutely insane how much work we get done," Kapoor remarked, praising artists' cooperation.
Confirmed performers include Clipse, Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Carpenter, and all best new artist nominees: Katseye, Olivia Dean, Leon Thomas, Addison Rae, Sombr, Lola Young, The Marías, and Alex Warren.
Who Might Make History at the 2026 Grammys?
Several artists could achieve historic milestones. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations, including album of the year for "GNX." If he, Tyler, the Creator, or Clipse win in this category, it would mark only the third time a rap album has taken the top prize.
Bad Bunny's "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" could become the first all-Spanish-language album to win album of the year. Additionally, K-pop artists have breakthrough nominations, with Rosé and Bruno Mars' "APT." and "KPop Demon Hunters" track "Golden" competing in major categories.
Notable first-time nominees include Timothée Chalamet, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the Dalai Lama, and Steven Spielberg, reflecting the awards' diverse recognition.
How Will the Grammys Transform After 2025's Wildfires?
Last year's ceremony was dramatically affected by devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires, with producers adapting the show to support relief efforts. This year, the team has returned to a more traditional planning process, allowing for refined performances.
Kapoor noted that the experience demonstrated the team's flexibility and highlighted the Recording Academy's broader mission. MusiCares, the academy's philanthropic arm, directed over $15 million toward wildfire relief, showcasing the organisation's commitment to supporting music professionals.
Mason jr. emphasised that the academy continually evaluates and improves its approach, ensuring each year's event builds on previous lessons while celebrating musical excellence.
