The music industry's most prestigious night is upon us as the 68th Annual Grammy Awards prepare to illuminate the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1st. Dubbed 'Music's Biggest Night,' this star-studded ceremony promises a spectacular showcase of talent, glamour, and high-stakes competition, broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+ from 5pm PT / 8pm ET.
A Star-Studded Red Carpet and Hosting Return
The festivities will commence with a dazzling red carpet, where celebrities are expected to showcase their finest fashion. Darren Criss, renowned for his role in Glee, and his wife are set to make an early stylish entrance, with Criss in a distinctive gray lace suit and his wife in an elegant pink-and-gold gown. Guiding the evening's proceedings for the sixth consecutive year is the acclaimed comedian and former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, whose wit and charm have become a hallmark of the ceremony.
Kendrick Lamar Dominates the Nominations
Leading the pack with an impressive nine nominations is 22-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar. His latest album, GNX, has earned a place in the Album of the Year category, marking his fifth consecutive studio album to achieve this feat—a record unmatched by any other artist. A win here would secure Lamar his first-ever victory in this top category. Additionally, his single Luther featuring SZA is nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, marking the third time Lamar has secured simultaneous nominations in these 'big three' categories.
Strong Contenders and Notable Performers
Close behind Lamar is the iconic Lady Gaga, who has garnered seven nominations, largely for her pop-rock album MAYHEM. Her hit track Abracadabra is up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, representing a career first for Gaga with nominations in all three major categories simultaneously. She is also slated to perform during the three-hour show, alongside other A-list acts including Justin Bieber, making his long-awaited return to the Grammy stage after four years, and Sabrina Carpenter, whose 2025 album Man's Best Friend snagged six nominations.
Bieber's comeback album SWAG has earned him four nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. His performance marks a significant moment in his career resurgence following health-related hiatuses. Adding a layer of intrigue, Bieber's ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez is expected to attend with her husband, producer Benny Blanco, as they are nominated for their track Bluest Flame, potentially placing the former couple under the same roof at this high-profile event.
New Categories and Producer Showdowns
This year, the Recording Academy has introduced two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. The former aims to distinguish between 'contemporary' and 'traditional' country music, formally splitting the Best Country Album into two following Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter sweep at the 2025 ceremony. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasized that these changes reflect the Academy's commitment to representing today's diverse musical landscape and recognizing deserving creators.
Behind the scenes, a notable producer showdown is unfolding. Taylor Swift's longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff has earned seven nominations for his work with Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year categories. He faces competition from producer Cirkut, who also has seven nominations for his role in Lady Gaga's MAYHEM and other hits like Rosé and Bruno Mars's APT.
Notable Absences and Eligibility Insights
In a surprising turn, Taylor Swift is absent from the nominee list despite releasing her album The Life of a Showgirl in 2025. The album missed the eligibility cutoff by two months, as recordings had to be commercially released in the United States between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Another point of discussion is Billie Eilish's nomination for Wildflower, which was released before the eligibility window but is permitted under a Recording Academy rule allowing tracks from previous periods if they were not entered before and did not win a Grammy.
Diverse Categories and First-Time Nominees
The 2026 Grammys feature 95 categories, celebrating a broad spectrum of musical genres. The Album of the Year category is particularly stacked, with contenders including Bad Bunny's all-Spanish language album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, only the second such album to be nominated for the top prize. Other notable nominees include Clipse, Pusha T & Malice's Let God Sort Em Out and Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia, marking the first time three albums are competing for both Best Rap Album and Album of the Year.
The ceremony also highlights emerging talent, with first-time nominees such as Tate McRae, Zara Larsson, and PinkPantheress vying for awards. The Best New Artist category includes global girl group Katseye, Olivia Dean, and The Marias, among others, showcasing the vibrant future of the music industry.
As the final round of voting took place from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026, the stage is set for an unforgettable night. From Kendrick Lamar's historic pursuit to Lady Gaga's potential breakthroughs and Justin Bieber's comeback, the 68th Grammy Awards promise to honor the incredible talent driving music forward in today's diverse landscape.
