Emma Lawlor
The nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards have been announced, offering a snapshot of the music industry’s most influential artists, recordings, and trends over the past year. The ceremony, set for February 1will take place at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. It will celebrate the best recordings released between August 31, 2024 and August 30, 2025. It will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
This year’s nominations reflect a strong mix of established stars and emerging artists. Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with nine nominations, making him the most-recognized artist of the year. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and producer Cirkut follow closely with seven nominations each, while Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter earned six nominations apiece.
Album of the Year
The Album of the Year category features a diverse lineup spanning hip-hop, pop, and Latin music. Nominees include Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM, Tyler, the Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, and Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. The category highlights a year marked by both commercial success and artistic experimentation.
Record of the Year
In the Record of the Year race, several high-profile releases are competing for the honor. Among the nominees are Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration “luther,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” Bad Bunny’s “DtMF,” and Doechii’s breakout hit “Anxiety.” The category recognizes overall production, performance, and sound quality.
Song of the Year
Focusing on songwriting excellence, the Song of the Year nominations recognize lyrical and compositional achievement. This year’s nominees include works by Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Rosé & Bruno Mars, artists known for combining emotional storytelling with broad audience appeal.
Best New Artist
The Best New Artist category spotlights emerging talent that made significant breakthroughs during the eligibility year. Nominees include Olivia Dean, whose soulful sound has earned critical praise; KATSEYE, a group gaining attention for its polished pop production; Addison Rae, whose transition from social media personality to recording artist continues to draw industry interest; and Leon Thomas, recognized for his vocal ability and songwriting.
What Else to Expect?
Beyond the major categories, the nominations span a wide range of genres, including rock, alternative, country, R&B, Latin, and heavy music. Artists such as Deftones and Sleep Token received recognition, highlighting the Grammys’ continued effort to represent diverse musical communities.
In addition to competitive awards, the Recording Academy announced several Lifetime Achievement Awards. Honorees include Paul Simon, Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana and Whitney Houston, recognizing their lasting influence on music and culture.
As anticipation builds, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of both musical legacy and innovation, bringing together industry veterans and rising stars for one of the most closely watched nights in entertainment.
