The list for the 2026 Grammy Album of the Year nominees just arrived.
Some names keep showing up—this time, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar are chasing that shiny award again, with dreams still out there because none have actually sneaked a win for Album of the Year yet, even with all those earlier nominations stacking up behind them. Down the row, the group’s filling out with albums from Bad Bunny, Clipse, Leon Thomas, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tyler, the Creator, making sure it’s not just a repeat of faces, but some fresh energy tossed in, too.
So, Lady Gaga keeps breaking her own patterns, scoring her fifth nod for Album of the Year, reaching way back to The Fame and Born This Way days, up through recent efforts. Kendrick’s no stranger here either—fifth solo round! (Although, don’t forget when he teamed up for Beyoncé’s Lemonade or that Black Panther: The Album collab.) Fans kind of wish both would just grab the trophy already.
Take a detour: no one who’s ever won Album of the Year is even in the running this year, which hasn’t happened since before the pandemic. Bieber has tried a couple times (Purpose, Justice), and Sabrina and Bad Bunny had a shot once before, but collecting nominations hasn’t yet brought anyone that sparkly victory moment.
People get excited because it always feels like someone new could win.
Tyler, the Creator goes way back with this category too, nodding to his role in Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange. For Clipse and Leon Thomas, this is their first time stepping onto this particular Grammy stage. But weirdly enough, Pusha T, part of Clipse, had already visited the nominee pool just a couple years ago with Kanye’s Donda.
Rewinding a bit, last year was loaded with superstars: Beyoncé, Charli XCX, André 3000, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift. That night, Beyoncé made history—her first Album of the Year win, bumping her total Grammy tally to a record 35!
Nominees for Album of the Year:
Bad Bunny — Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Clipse, Pusha T & Malice — Let God Sort Em Out
Justin Bieber — Swag
Kendrick Lamar — GNX
Lady Gaga — Mayhem
Leon Thomas — Mutt
Sabrina Carpenter — Man’s Best Friend
Tyler, the Creator — Chromakopia
Grammy Nominations 2026: See the Full List Here
