Lady Gaga Secures Early Grammy Victories Before 2026 Ceremony
The 2026 Grammy Awards kicked off with significant triumphs for Lady Gaga, who claimed two prestigious awards even before the live broadcast commenced from Los Angeles's Crypto.com Arena. The 39-year-old artist, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, demonstrated her enduring musical prowess by winning Best Dance Pop Recording for her hit track Abracadabra, overcoming formidable competition from Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's Bluest Flame, Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun, Tate McRae's Just Keep Watching, and PinkPantheress's Illegal.
Additional Recognition for Gaga's Musical Collaborations
Gaga further solidified her success by earning Best Remixed Recording for the same track, remixed by acclaimed French DJ and producer Gesaffelstein. This victory placed her ahead of notable contenders including KAYTRANADA and Mariah Carey's Don't Forget About Us, Ron Trent and Soul II Soul's A Dreams A Dream (Ron Trent Remix), The Chemical Brothers and Chris Lake's Galvanize, and David Guetta's Golden (David Guetta REM/X). These early wins set a triumphant tone for Gaga's evening, complementing her stunning appearance on the red carpet at what is widely regarded as 'Music's Biggest Night'.
Grammy Nominations and Ceremony Highlights
The 68th annual Grammy Awards, broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+, saw comedian Trevor Noah returning as host for his sixth consecutive year. Nominations, announced in November, were dominated by 22-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with an impressive nine nominations. Lady Gaga followed closely with seven nominations, tying with renowned producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut.
Notable Performers and New Award Categories
The ceremony featured performances from A-list musical acts including Sabrina Carpenter, whose 2025 album Man's Best Friend earned six nominations, alongside Justin Bieber and K-pop sensation Rosé. This year, the Recording Academy introduced two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. The former category aims to distinguish between contemporary and traditional country music, formally splitting the previous Best Country Album category following Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter sweep at the 2025 ceremony.
Key Contenders and Album of the Year Race
The Album of the Year category presented a fiercely competitive field, featuring Kendrick Lamar's GNX, Lady Gaga's MAYHEM, Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend, Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Justin Bieber's SWAG, Clipse, Pusha T & Malice's Let God Sort Em Out, Leon Thomas's MUTT, and Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia. Notably, this marked the first time three albums were nominated for both Best Rap Album and Album of the Year simultaneously.
Record and Song of the Year Nominations
The Record of the Year category included standout tracks from Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar with SZA, Chappell Roan, and Rosé with Bruno Mars. Similarly, the Song of the Year category, which recognises songwriters, featured nearly identical nominees with the exception of Chappell Roan's The Subway being replaced by Golden from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
Notable Absences and Eligibility Considerations
Taylor Swift, a dominant force in previous Grammy ceremonies, was conspicuously absent from the 2026 nominations despite releasing her album The Life of a Showgirl in October 2025. The album missed the eligibility cutoff by two months, as recordings needed to be commercially released in the United States between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. However, Billie Eilish's Wildflower remained eligible under a Recording Academy rule that permits consideration of tracks from albums released during the previous ceremony's eligibility period, provided they were not previously entered and did not win a Grammy.
Recording Academy's Commitment to Evolution
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasised the organisation's dedication to reflecting contemporary music landscapes, stating, 'The Academy's top priority is to represent the music people that we serve each year. That entails listening carefully to our members to make sure our rules and guidelines reflect today's music and allow us to accurately recognise as many deserving creators as possible.' The final round of Grammy voting took place from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026, determining the winners across 95 categories.
Justin Bieber's Comeback and Personal Dynamics
Justin Bieber made a highly anticipated return to the Grammy stage, marking his first appearance in four years. Nominated for four awards, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Swag, Bieber's comeback followed a years-long musical hiatus due to health issues. Adding intrigue to the evening, his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez attended with her husband, producer Benny Blanco, as nominees for Bluest Flame, placing the former couple under the same roof at one of music's most prestigious events.
Producer Showdowns and Career Milestones
Producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut each earned seven nominations, with Antonoff recognised for his work with Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter, and Cirkut for producing Lady Gaga's MAYHEM. Antonoff's collaboration with Lamar also secured his first-ever Best Rap Song nomination. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga achieved a career milestone with simultaneous nominations in Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year categories for the first time.
Conclusion: Celebrating Musical Excellence
The 2026 Grammy Awards celebrated a diverse array of musical talent, from emerging artists to established icons. With Kendrick Lamar leading nominations, Lady Gaga securing early wins, and Justin Bieber making a triumphant return, the ceremony underscored the vibrant and evolving nature of the global music industry. As Harvey Mason Jr. noted, 'The Grammy Awards are our opportunity to honour the people who make this community so vibrant and this year's nominees remind us of the incredible talent that is driving music forward.'
