It’s officially GRAMMYs season, and the nomination list is anything but predictable.
The Recording Academy has officially announced the nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, which will take place on February 1, 2026. This 2026 Grammy Awards list captures a moment of transformation for the music industry, honouring both deep roots and bold reinvention.
Already standing out in this round are artists like Kendrick Lamar, who leads the pack with nine nominations. Lady Gaga follows with seven, while Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas each earned six nods.
In a historic first, fictional K-pop group Huntr/x from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” scored three nominations, including the Song of the Year for “Golden.” Notable first-time nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards include Timothée Chalamet and director Steven Spielberg.
From an African-music vantage point, the nominations also reflect growth. Ayra Starr and Tyla both received nominations in the Best African Music Performance category. Ayra Starr earned her second nod with “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, while Tyla secured her second consecutive nomination with “PUSH 2 START,” following her 2024 win for “Water.”
Major changes to the 2026 Grammy Awards
This year’s nominations come with two significant updates, reflecting the Academy’s effort to broaden the scope of how artistic achievement is celebrated.
Country music has received a long-awaited distinction. A new category, Best Traditional Country Album, joins the renamed Best Contemporary Country Album. Together, they honour both the genre’s classic roots and its evolving modern sound.
The Academy has introduced Best Album Cover, an award honouring the photographers, illustrators, and designers who create the visual worlds behind music. In a digital era where streaming often overshadows physical releases, this category reaffirms the importance of visual storytelling as part of an album’s identity and creative legacy.
These changes signal the Academy’s ongoing effort to better reflect the full spectrum of creative expression — from songwriting and sound to image and impact.
Read also: 7 unforgettable moments that stole the show at the 2025 GRAMMYs
Here is the complete list of nominees
Album of the year
“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” Bad Bunny
“SWAG” Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend” Sabrina Carpenter
“Let God Sort Em Out” Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
“MAYHEM” Lady Gaga
“GNX” Kendrick Lamar
“MUTT” Leon Thomas
“CHROMAKOPIA” Tyler, The Creator
Record of the year
“DtMF” Bad Bunny
“Manchild” Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety” Doechii
“WILDFLOWER” Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra” Lady Gaga
“luther” Kendrick Lamar With SZA
“The Subway” Chappell Roan
“APT.” ROSÉ, Bruno Mars
Song of the year (goes to songwriter)
“Abracadabra” Lady Gaga. Written by Henry Walter, Lady Gaga & Andrew Watt
“Anxiety” Doechii. Written by Jaylah Hickmon
“APT.” ROSÉ, Bruno Mars. Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park & Theron Thomas
“DtMF” Bad Bunny. Written by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Roberto José Rosado Torres, Marco Daniel Borrero, Hugo René Sención Sanabria & Tyler Thomas Spry
“Golden (From “KPop Demon Hunters”)” HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI. Written by EJAE & Mark Sonnenblick
“luther” Kendrick Lamar With SZA. Written by Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Ink, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Anthony Spears, Solána Rowe & Kamasi Washington
“Manchild” Sabrina Carpenter. Written by Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter
“WILDFLOWER” Billie Eilish. Written by Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell
Best new artist
Olivia Dean
KATSEYE
The Marias
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Best pop solo performance
“DAISIES” Justin Bieber
“Manchild” Sabrina Carpenter
“Disease” Lady Gaga
“The Subway” Chappell Roan
“Messy” Lola Young
Best traditional pop vocal album
Wintersongs by Laila Biali
The Gift Of Love by Jennifer Hudson
Who Believes In Angels? by Elton John & Brandi Carlile
Harlequin by Lady Gaga
A Matter Of Time by Laufey
The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume 2 by Barbra Streisand
Best pop duo/group performance
“Defying Gravity” Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
“Golden (From “KPop Demon Hunters”)” HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
“Gabriela” KATSEYE
“APT.” ROSÉ, Bruno Mars
“30 For 30” SZA With Kendrick Lamar
Best pop vocal album
“SWAG” Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend” Sabrina Carpenter
“Something Beautiful” Miley Cyrus
“MAYHEM” Lady Gaga
“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)” Teddy Swims
Best country duo/group performance
“A Song To Sing” by Miranda Lambert And Chris Stapleton
“Trailblazer” by Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“Love Me Like You Used To Do” by Margo Price & Tyler Childers
“Amen” by Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame” by George Strait, Chris Stapleton
Best country song
“Bitin’ List” – Tyler Childers, songwriter (Tyler Childers)
“Good News” – Michael Ross Pollack, Sam Elliot Roman & Jacob Torrey, songwriters (Shaboozey)
“I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols & Zach Top, songwriters (Zach Top)
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson & Lainey Wilson, songwriters (Lainey Wilson)
“A Song To Sing” – Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton)
Best traditional country album
Dollar A Day by Charley Crockett
American Romance by Lukas Nelson
Oh What A Beautiful World by Willie Nelson
Hard Headed Woman by Margo Price
Ain’t In It For My Health by Zach Top
Best Contemporary Country Album
Patterns by Kelsea Ballerini
Snipe Hunter by Tyler Childers
Evangeline Vs. The Machine by Eric Church
Beautifully Broken by Jelly Roll
Postcards From Texas by Miranda Lambert
Best rap performance
“Outside” Cardi B
“Chains & Whips” Clipse, Pusha T & Malice Featuring Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
“Anxiety” Doechii
“tv off” Kendrick Lamar Featuring Lefty Gunplay
“Darling, I” Tyler, The Creator Featuring Teezo Touchdown
Best rap album
“Let God Sort Em Out” Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
“GLORIOUS” GloRilla
“God Does Like Ugly” JID
“GNX” Kendrick Lamar
“CHROMAKOPIA” Tyler, The Creator
Best rap song
“Anxiety” Doechii. Written by Jaylah Hickmon
“The Birds Don’t Sing” Clipse, Pusha T & Malice Featuring John Legend & Voices Of Fire. Written by Gene Elliott Thornton Jr., Terrence Thornton, Pharrell Williams & Stevie Wonder
“Sticky” Tyler, The Creator Featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne. Written by Aaron Bolton, Dudley Alexander Duverne, Gloria Woods, Dwayne Carter, Jr., Janae Wherry, Tyler Okonma & Rex Zamor
“TGIF” GloRilla. Written by Lucas Alegria, Dillon Brophy, Yakki Davis, Gloria Woods, Jess Jackson, Ronnie Jackson, Mario Mims & Jorge M. Taveras
“tv off” Kendrick Lamar Featuring Lefty Gunplay. Written by Jack Antonoff, Larry Jayy, Kendrick Lamar, Dijon McFarlane, Sean Momberger, Mark Anthony Spears & Kamasi Washington
Best R&B album
“BELOVED” GIVĒON
“Why Not More?” Coco Jones
“The Crown” Ledisi
“Escape Room” Teyana Taylor
“MUTT” Leon Thomas
Best R&B performance
“YUKON” Justin Bieber
“It Depends” Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller
“Folded” Kehlani
“MUTT (Live From NPR’s Tiny Desk)” Leon Thomas
“Heart Of A Woman” Summer Walker
Best R&B song
“Folded” Kehlani. Written by Darius Dixson, Andre Harris, Kehlani Parrish, Donovan Knight, Don Mills, Khris Riddick-Tynes & Dawit Kamal Wilson
“Heart Of A Woman” Summer Walker. Written by David Bishop & Summer Walker
“It Depends” Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller. Written by Nico Baran, Chris Brown, Ant Clemons, Ephrem Lopez Jr., Ryan Press, Bryson Tiller, Elliott Trent & Dewain Whitmore Jr.
“Overqualified” Durand Bernarr. Written by John Abrahart Jr & Durand Bernarr
“YES IT IS” Leon Thomas. Written by Jariuce Banks, Lazaro Andres Camejo, Mike Hector, Peter Lee Johnson, Rodney Jones Jr., Ali Prawl & Leon Thomas
Best country solo performance
“Nose On The Grindstone” Tyler Childers
“Good News” Shaboozey
“Bad As I Used To Be (From “F1 The Movie”)” Chris Stapleton
“I Never Lie” Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” Lainey Wilson
Best country duo/group performance
“A Song To Sing” Miranda Lambert And Chris Stapleton
“Trailblazer” Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“Love Me Like You Used To Do” Margo Price & Tyler Childers
“Amen” Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame” George Strait, Chris Stapleton
Best country song
“Bitin’ List” Tyler Childers. Written by Tyler Childers
“Good News” Shaboozey. Written by Michael Ross Pollack, Sam Elliot Roman & Jacob Torrey
“I Never Lie” Zach Top. Written by Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols & Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” Lainey Wilson. Written by Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson & Lainey Wilson
“A Song To Sing” Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton. Written by Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Best traditional country album
“Dollar A Day” Charley Crockett
“American Romance” Lukas Nelson
“Oh What A Beautiful World” Willie Nelson
“Hard Headed Woman” Margo Price
“Ain’t In It For My Health” Zach Top
Best contemporary country album
“Patterns” Kelsea Ballerini
“Snipe Hunter” Tyler Childers
“Evangeline Vs. The Machine” Eric Church
“Beautifully Broken” Jelly Roll
“Postcards From Texas” Miranda Lambert
Best rock album
“private music” Deftones
“I quit” HAIM
“From Zero” Linkin Park
“NEVER ENOUGH” Turnstile
“Idols” YUNGBLUD
Best rock performance
“U Should Not Be Doing That” Amyl and The Sniffers
“The Emptiness Machine” Linkin Park
“NEVER ENOUGH” Turnstile
“Mirtazapine” Hayley Williams
“Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning” YUNGBLUD Featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II
Best rock song
“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” Nine Inch Nails. Written by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
“Caramel” Sleep Token. Written by Vessel1 & Vessel2
“Glum” Hayley Williams. Written by Daniel James & Hayley Williams
“NEVER ENOUGH” Turnstile. Written by Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory, Meg Mills & Brendan Yates
“Zombie” YUNGBLUD. Written by Dominic Harrison & Matt Schwartz
Best Jazz performance
“Noble Rise” by Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Immanuel Wilkins & Mark Whitfield
“Windows – Live” by Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
“Peace Of Mind/Dreams Come True” bySamara Joy
“Four” by Michael Mayo
“All Stars Lead To You – Live” by Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach, Tom Scott, Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold & Rachel Eckroth
Best Jazz vocal Album
Elemental by Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
We Insist 2025! by Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell
Portrait by Samara Joy
Fly by Michael Mayo
Live at Vic’s Las Vegas by Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach, Tom Scott, Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold & Rachel Eckroth
Best jazz instrumental album
Trilogy 3 (Live) by Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
Southern Nights by Sullivan Fortner Featuring Peter Washington & Marcus Gilmore
Belonging by Branford Marsalis Quartet
Spirit Fall by John Patitucci Featuring Chris Potter & Brian Blade
Fasten Up by Yellowjackets
Best large jazz ensemble album
Orchestrator Emulator by The 8-Bit Big Band
Without Further Ado, Vol 1 by Christian McBride Big Band
Lumen by Danilo Pérez & Bohuslän Big Band
Basie Rocks! by Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra
Lights on a Satellite by Sun Ra Arkestra
Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores by Kenny Wheeler Legacy Featuring The Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra & Frost Jazz Orchestra
Best Latin jazz album
La Fleur de Cayenne by Paquito D’Rivera & Madrid-New York Connection Band
The Original Influencers: Dizzy, Chano & Chico by Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra feat. Pedrito Martinez, Daymé Arocena, Jon Faddis, Donald Harrison & Melvis Santa
Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley byArturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Coleby Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro
Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard by Miguel Zenón Quartet
Best alternative jazz album
honey from a winter stone by Ambrose Akinmusire
Keys To The City Volume One by Robert Glasper
Ride into the Sun by Brad Mehldau
LIVE-ACTION by Nate Smith
Blues Blood by Immanuel Wilkins
Best gospel performance/song
“Do It Again” by Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter
“Church” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend; Anthony S. Brown, Brunes Charles, Annatoria Chitapa, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Jonas Myrin, songwriters
“Still (Live)” by Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts; Britney Delagraentiss, Jonathan McReynolds, David Lamar Outing III, Orlando Joel Palmer & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters
“Amen” by Pastor Mike Jr.; Adia Andrews, Michael McClure Jr., David Lamar Outing II & Terrell Anthony Pettus, songwriters
“Come Jesus Come” by Cece Winans Featuring Shirley Caesar
Best contemporary christian music performance/song
“I Know A Name” by Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake; Hank Bentley, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake & Jacob Sooter, songwriters
“YOUR WAY’S BETTER” by Forrest Frank; Forrest Frank & PERA, songwriters
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake With Jelly Roll; Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Jason Bradley Deford & Brandon Lake, songwriters
“Headphones” by Lecrae, Killer Mike, T.I.; Tyshane Thompson, Bongo ByTheWay, Michael Render, Lecrae Moore, William Roderick Miller & Clifford Harris, songwriters
“Amazing” by Darrel Walls, PJ Morton; PJ Morton & Darrel Walls, songwriters
Best gospel album
Sunny Days by Yolanda Adams
Tasha by Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Live Breathe Fight by Tamela Mann
Only On The Road (Live) by Tye Tribbett
Heart of Mine by Darrel Walls, PJ Morton
Best contemporary christian music album
CHILD OF GOD II by Forrest Frank
Coritos Vol. 1 by Israel & New Breed
King Of Hearts by Brandon Lake
Reconstruction by Lecrae
Let The Church Sing by Tauren Wells
Best roots gospel album
I Will Not Be Moved (Live) by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Then Came The Morning by Gaither Vocal Band
Praise & Worship: More Than A Hollow Hallelujah by The Isaacs
Good Answers by Karen Peck & New River
Back To My Roots by Candi Staton
Best Latin rock or alternative album
Genes Rebeldes by Aterciopelados
ASTROPICAL by Bomba Estéreo, Rawayana, ASTROPICAL
PAPOTA by CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
ALGORHYTHM by Los Wizzards
Novela by Fito Paez
Best música urbana album
“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” Bad Bunny
“Mixteip” J Balvin
“FERXXO VOL X: Sagrado” Feid
“NAIKI” Nicki Nicole
“EUB DELUXE” Trueno
“SINFÓNICO (En Vivo)” Yande
Best música Mexicana album (including tejano)
MALA MÍA by Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera
Y Lo Que Viene by Grupo Frontera
Sin Rodeos by Paola Jara
Palabra De To’s (Seca) by Carín León
Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya Y Una Mía – Por La Puerta Grande (En Vivo) by Bobby Pulido
Best tropical Latin album
Fotografías by Rubén Blades, Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Raíces by Gloria Estefan
Clásicos 1.0 by Grupo Niche
Bingo by Alain Pérez
Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. 2 by Gilberto Santa Rosa
Best global music performance
“EoO” by Bad Bunny
“Cantando en el Camino” by Ciro Hurtado
“JERUSALEMA” by Angélique Kidjo
“Inmigrante Y Que?” by Yeisy Rojas
“Shrini’s Dream (Live)” by Shakti
“Daybreak” by Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar
Best African music performance
“Love” by Burna Boy
“With You” Davido feat. Omah Lay
“Hope & Love” by Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin
“Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr feat. Wizkid
“PUSH 2 START” by Tyla
Best global music album
Sounds of Kumbha by Siddhant Bhatia
No Sign of Weakness by Burna Boy
Eclairer le monde – Light the World by Youssou N’Dour
Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) by Shakti
Chapter III: We Return to Light by Anoushka Shankar feat. Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar
Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo by Caetano Veloso And Maria Bethânia
Best reggae album
Treasure Self Love by Lila Iké
Heart & Soul by Vybz Kartel
BLXXD & FYAH by Keznamdi
From Within by Mortimer
No Place Like Home by Jesse Royal
Best new age, ambient or chant album
Kuruvinda by Kirsten Agresta-Copely
According To The Moon by Cheryl B. Engelhardt, GEM, Dallas String Quartet
Into The Forest by Jahnavi Harrison
Nomadica by Carla Patullo Featuring The Scorchio Quartet & Tonality
The Colors In My Mind by Chris Redding
Best children’s music album
Ageless: 100 Years Young by Joanie Leeds & Joya
Buddy’s Magic Tree House by Mega Ran
Harmony by FYÜTCH & Aura V
Herstory by Flor Bromley
The Music Of Tori And The Muses by Tori Amos
Best American roots performance
“LONELY AVENUE” by Jon Batiste feat. Randy Newman
“Ancient Light” by I’m With Her
“Crimson And Clay” by Jason Isbell
“Richmond On The James” by Alison Krauss & Union Station
“Beautiful Strangers” by Mavis Staples
Best Americana performance
“Boom” by Sierra Hull
“Poison In My Well” by Maggie Rose & Grace Potter
“Godspeed” by Mavis Staples
“That’s Gonna Leave A Mark” by Molly Tuttle
“Horses” by Jesse Welles
Best American roots song
“Ancient Light” – Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins, songwriters (I’m With Her)
“BIG MONEY” – Jon Batiste, Mike Elizondo & Steve McEwan, songwriters (Jon Batiste)
“Foxes In The Snow” – Jason Isbell, songwriter (Jason Isbell)
“Middle” – Jesse Welles, songwriter (Jesse Welles)
“Spitfire” – Sierra Hull, songwriter (Sierra Hull)
Best Americana album
BIG MONEY by Jon Batiste
Bloom by Larkin Poe
Last Leaf On The Tree by Willie Nelson
So Long Little Miss Sunshine by Molly Tuttle
Middle by Jesse Welles
Best bluegrass album
Carter & Cleveland by Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter
A Tip Toe High Wire by Sierra Hull
Arcadia by Alison Krauss & Union Station
Outrun byThe Steeldrivers
Highway Prayers by Billy Strings
Best traditional blues album
Ain’t Done With The Blues by Buddy Guy
Room On The Porch by Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo
One Hour Mama: The Blues Of Victoria Spivey by Maria Muldaur
Look Out Highway by Charlie Musselwhite
Young Fashioned Ways by Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush
Best contemporary blues album
Breakthrough by Joe Bonamassa
Paper Doll by Samantha Fish
A Tribute to LJK by Eric Gales
Preacher Kids by Robert Randolph
Family by Southern Avenue
Best folk album
What Did The Blackbird Say To The Crowby Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson
Crown Of Roses by Patty Griffin
Wild And Clear And Blue by I’m With Her
Foxes In The Snow by Jason Isbell
Under The Powerlines (April 24 – September 24) by Jesse Welles
Best regional roots music album
Live At Vaughan’s by Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet
For Fat Man by Preservation Brass & Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Church Of New Orleans by Kyle Roussel
Second Line Sunday by Trombone Shorty And New Breed Brass Band
A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco by (Various Artists)
Best contemporary instrumental album
Brightside by ARKAI
Ones & Twos by Gerald Clayton
BEATrio by Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sánchez
Just Us by Bob James & Dave Koz
Shayan by Charu Suri
Best musical theatre album
“Buena Vista Social Club”
“Death Becomes Her”
“Gypsy”
“Just In Time”
“Maybe Happy Ending”
Producer of the year, non-classical
Dan Auerbach
Cirkut
Dijon
Blake Mills
Sounwave
Songwriter of the year, non-classical
Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Laura Veltz
Best spoken word poetry album
A Hurricane in Heels: healed people don’t act like that (partially recorded live @City Winery & other places) by Queen Sheba
Black Shaman by Marc Marcel
Pages by Omari Hardwick & Anthony Hamilton
Saul Williams meets Carlos Niño & Friends At Treepeople by Saul Williams, Carlos Niño & Friends
Words For Days Vol. 1 by Mad Skillz
Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story – Kathy Garver
Into The Uncut Grass – Trevor Noah
Lovely One: A Memoir – Ketanji Brown Jackson
Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama – Dalai Lama
You Know It’s True: The Real Story Of Milli Vanilli – Fab Morvan
Best compilation soundtrack for visual media
“A Complete Unknown” Timothée Chalamet
“F1 The Album” Various Artists
“KPop Demon Hunters” Various Artists
“Sinners” Various Artists
“Wicked” Various Artists
Best score soundtrack for visual media (includes film and television)
How To Train Your Dragon – John Powell, composer
Severance: Season 2 – Theodore Shapiro, composer
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson, composer
Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz, composers
The Wild Robot – Kris Bowers, composer
Best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires – Pinar Toprak, composer
Helldivers 2 – Wilbert Roget, II, composer
Indiana Jones And The Great Circle – Gordy Haab, composer
Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune – Cody Matthew Johnson & Wilbert Roget, II, composers
Sword of the Sea – Austin Wintory, composer
Best song written for visual media
“As Alive As You Need Me To Be (from “TRON: Ares”)” Nine Inch Nails. Written by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
“Golden (From “KPop Demon Hunters”)” HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI. Written by EJAE & Mark Sonnenblick
“I Lied to You (From “Sinners”)” Miles Caton. Written by Ludwig Göransson & Raphael Saadiq
“Never Too Late (From “Elton John: Never Too Late”)” Elton John, Brandi Carlile. Written by Brandi Carlile, Elton John, Bernie Taupin & Andrew Watt
“Pale, Pale Moon (From “Sinners”)” Jayme Lawson. Written by Ludwig Göransson & Brittany Howard
“Sinners (From “Sinners”)” Rod Wave. Written by Leonard Denisenko, Rodarius Green, Travis Harrington, Tarkan Kozluklu, Kyris Mingo & Darius Povilinu
Best comedy album
“Drop Dead Years” Bill Burr
“PostMortem” Sarah Silverman
“Single Lady” Ali Wong
“What Had Happened Was…” Jamie Foxx
“Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” Nate Bargatze
Best music video
“Young Lion” by Sade; Sophie Muller, video director; Sade & Aaron Taylor Dean, video producers
“Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter; Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia, video directors; Aiden Magarian, Nathan Scherrer & Natan Schottenfels, video producers
“So Be It” by Clipse; Hannan Hussain, video director; Daniel Order, video producer
“Anxiety” by Doechii; James Mackel, video director; Pablo Feldman, Jolene Mendes & Sophia Sabella, video producers
“Love” by OK Go; Aaron Duffy, Miguel Espada & Damian Kulash Jr., video directors; Petra Ahmann, video producer
Best music film
Devo (Devo) – Chris Smith, video director; Danny Gabai, Anita Greenspan, Chris Holmes & Chris Smith, video producers
Live At The Royal Albert Hall (RAYE) – Paul Dugdale, video director; Stefan Demetriou & Amy James, video producers
Relentless (Diane Warren) – Bess Kargman, video director; Peggy Drexler, Michele, Farinola & Kat Nguyen, video producers
Music By John Williams (John Williams) – Laurent Bouzereau, video director; Sara Bernstein, Laurent Bouzereau, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Meredith Kaulfers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg & Justin Wilkes, video producers
Piece By Piece (Pharrell Williams) – Morgan Neville, video director; Morgan Neville, Caitrin Rogers, Mimi Valdes & Pharrell Williams, video producers
Best recording package
And The Adjacent Possible – Hà Trinh Quoc Bao, Damian Kulash, Jr., Claudio Ripol, Wombi Rose & Yuri Suzuki, art directors (OK Go)
Balloonerism – Bráulio Amado & Alim Smith, art directors (Mac Miller)
Danse Macabre: De Luxe – Rory McCartney, art director (Duran Duran)
Loud Is As – Farbod Kokabi & Emily Sneddon, art directors (Tsunami)
Sequoia – Tim Breen & Ken Shipley, art directors (Various Artists)
The Spins (Picture Disc Vinyl) – Miller McCormick, art director (Mac Miller)
Tracks II: The Lost Albums – Meghan Foley & Michelle Holme, art directors (Bruce Springsteen)
Best album cover
CHROMAKOPIA – Shaun Llewellyn & Luis “Panch” Perez, art directors (Tyler, The Creator)
The Crux – William Wesley II, art director (Djo)
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, art director (Bad Bunny)
Glory – Cody Critcheloe & Andrew J.S., art directors (Perfume Genius)
moisturizer – Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, Matt de Jong, Jamie-James Medina, Joshua Mobaraki & Rhian Teasdale, art directors (Wet Leg)
Best album notes
Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964-1974 – Scott B. Bomar, album notes writer (Buck Owens And His Buckaroos)
After The Last Sky – Adam Shatz, album notes writer (Anouar Brahem, Anja Lechner, Django Bates, Dave Holland)
Árabe – Amanda Ekery, album notes writer (Amanda Ekery)
The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967 – Alec Palao, album notes writer (Sly & The Family Stone)
A Ghost Is Born (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) – Bob Mehr, album notes writer (Wilco)
Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings – Ashley Kahn, album notes writer (Miles Davis)
Best historical album
Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) — Patrick Milligan & Joni Mitchell, compilation producers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Joni Mitchell)
The Making Of Five Leaves Left — Cally Callomon & Johnny Chandler, compilation producers; Simon Heyworth & John Wood, mastering engineers (Nick Drake)
Roots Rocking Zimbabwe – The Modern Sound Of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa No.41) — Samy Ben Redjeb, compilation producer; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Various Artists)
Super Disco Pirata – De Tepito Para El Mundo 1965-1980 (Analog Africa No. 39) – Samy Ben Redjeb, compilation producer; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Various Artists)
You Can’t Hip A Square: The Doc Pomus Songwriting Demos – Will Bratton,Sharyn Felder & Cheryl Pawelski, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Doc Pomus)
Best engineered album, non-classical
All Things Light – Jesse Brock, Jon Castelli, Tyler Johnson, Nick Lobel, Simon Maartensson, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, Anders Mouridsen, Ryan Nasci, Ernesto Olivera-Lapier, Ethan Schneiderman & Owen Stoutt, engineers; Dale Becker, mastering engineer (Cam)
Arcadia – Neal Cappellino & Gary Paczosa, engineers; Brad Blackwood, mastering engineer (Alison Krauss & Union Station)
For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) – Joseph Lorge, Blake Mills & Sebastian Reunert, engineers; Patricia Sullivan, mastering engineer (Japanese Breakfast)
That Wasn’t A Dream – Joseph Lorge & Blake Mills, engineers; Patricia Sullivan, mastering engineer (Pino Palladino, Blake Mills)
Best engineered album, classical
Cerrone: Don’t Look Down – Mike Tierney, engineer; Alan Silverman, mastering engineer (Sandbox Percussion)
Eastman: Symphony No. 2; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 – Gintas Norvila, engineer; Jennifer Nulsen, mastering engineer (Franz Welser-Möst & The Cleveland Orchestra)
Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth Of The Mtsensk District – Shawn Murphy & Nick Squire, engineers; Tim Martyn, mastering engineer (Andris Nelsons, Kristine Opolais, Günther Groissböck, Peter Hoare, Brenden Gunnell & Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Standard Stoppages – Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin, Bill Maylone, Judith Sherman & David Skidmore, engineers; Joe Lambert, mastering engineer (Third Coast Percussion)
Yule – Morten Lindberg, engineer; Morten Lindberg, mastering engineer (Trio Mediæval)
Best immersive audio album
All American F***boy – Andrew Law, immersive mix engineer (Duckwrth)
Immersed – Justin Gray, immersive mix engineer; Michael Romanowski, immersive mastering engineer; Justin Gray, Drew Jurecka & Morten Lindberg, immersive producers (Justin Gray)
An Immersive Tribute To Astor Piazzolla (Live) – Andrés Mayo & Martín Muscatello, immersive mix engineers; Andrés Mayo & Martín Muscatello, immersive producers (Various Artists)
Tearjerkers – Hans-Martin Buff, immersive mix engineer; Hans-Martin Buff, immersive producer (Tearjerkers)
Yule – Morten Lindberg, immersive mix engineer; Morten Lindberg, immersive mastering engineer; Arve Henriksen & Morten Lindberg, immersive producers (Trio Mediæval)
Best instrumental composition
“First Snow” – Remy Le Boeuf, composer (Nordkraft Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf & Danielle Wertz)
“Live Life This Day: Movement I” – Miho Hazama, composer (Miho Hazama, Danish Radio Big Band & Danish National Symphony Orchestra)
“Lord, That’s A Long Way” – Sierra Hull, composer (Sierra Hull)
“Opening” – Zain Effendi, composer (Zain Effendi)
“Train To Emerald City” – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz, composers (John Powell & Stephen Schwartz)
“Why You Here / Before The Sun Went Down” – Ludwig Göransson, composer (Ludwig Göransson feat. Miles Caton)
Best arrangement, instrumental or acappella
“Be Okay” – Cynthia Erivo, arranger (Cynthia Erivo)
“A Child Is Born” – Remy Le Boeuf, arranger (Nordkraft Big Band & Remy Le Boeuf)
“Fight On” – Andy Clausen, Addison Maye-Saxon, Riley Mulherkar & Chloe Rowlands, arrangers (The Westerlies)
“Super Mario Praise Break” – Bryan Carter, Charlie Rosen & Matthew Whitaker, arrangers (The 8-Bit Big Band)
Best arrangement, instruments and vocals
“Big Fish” – Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick, Nate Smith & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (Nate Smith feat. säje)
“How Did She Look?” – Nelson Riddle, arranger (Seth MacFarlane)
“Keep An Eye On Summer” – Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)
“Something In The Water (Acoustic-Ish)” – Clyde Lawrence, Gracie Lawrence & Linus Lawrence, arrangers (Lawrence)
“What A Wonderful World” – Cody Fry, arranger (Cody Fry)
Best orchestral performance
Coleridge-Taylor: Toussaint L’Ouverture; Ballade Op. 4; Suites From ’24 Negro Melodies’ – Michael Repper, conductor (National Philharmonic)
Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie – Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Ravel: Boléro, M. 81 – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Of Venezuela)
Still & Bonds – Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (The Philadelphia Orchestra)
Stravinsky: Symphony In Three Movements– Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor (San Francisco Symphony)
Best opera recording
Heggie: Intelligence – Kwamé Ryan, conductor; Jamie Barton, J’Nai Bridges & Janai Brugger; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Houston Grand Opera; Gene Scheer)
Huang Ruo: An American Soldier – Carolyn Kuan, conductor; Hannah Cho, Alex DeSocio, Nina Yoshida Nelsen & Brian Vu; Adam Abeshouse, Silas Brown & Doron Schachter, producers (American Composers Orchestra; David Henry Hwang
Kouyoumdjian: Adoration – Alan Pierson, conductor; Miriam Khalil, Marc Kudisch, David Adam Moore, Omar Najmi, Naomi Louisa O’Connell & Karim Sulayman; Mary Kouyoumdjian, producer (Silvana Quartet; The Choir Of Trinity Wall Street)
O’Halloran: Trade & Mary Motorhead – Elaine Kelly, conductor; Oisín Ó Dálaigh & John Molloy; Alex Dowling & Emma O’Halloran, producers (Irish National Opera Orchestra; Mark O’Halloran)
Tesori: Grounded – Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor; Ben Bliss, Emily D’Angelo, Greer Grimsley & Kyle Miller; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus; George Brant)
Best choral performance
Advena – Liturgies For A Broken World – Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Simon Barrad, Emily Yocum Black & Michael Hawes; Conspirare)
Childs: In The Arms Of The Beloved – Grant Gershon, conductor (Billy Childs, Dan Chmlellnskl, Christian Euman, Larry Koonse, Lyris Quartet, Anne Akiko Meyers, Carol Robbins & Luciana Souza; Los Angeles Master Chorale)
Lang: Poor Hymnal – Donald Nally, conductor (Steven Bradshaw, Michael Hawes, Lauren Kelly, Rebecca Siler & Elisa Sutherland; The Crossing)
Ortiz: Yanga – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Grant Gershon, chorus master (Los Angeles Philharmonic & Tambuco Percussion Ensemble; Los Angeles Master Chorale)
Requiem Of Light – Steven Fox, conductor; Emily Drennan & Patti Drennan, chorus masters (Brian Giebler & Sangeeta Kaur; The Clarion Choir)
Best chamber music/small ensemble performance
Dennehy: Land Of Winter – Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound
La Mer – French Piano Trios – Neave Trio
Lullabies For The Brokenhearted – Lili Haydn & Paul Cantelon
Slavic Sessions – Mak Grgić & Mateusz Kowalski
Standard Stoppages – Third Coast Percussion
Best classical instrumental solo
Coleridge-Taylor: 3 Selections From ’24 Negro Melodies’ by Curtis Stewart; Michael Repper, conductor (National Philharmonic)
Hope Orchestrated by Mary Dawood Catlin; Jesús David Medina & Raniero Palm, conductors (Venezuela Strings Recording Ensemble)
Inheritances by Adam Tendler
Price: Piano Concerto In One Movement In D Minor by Han Chen; John Jeter, conductor (Malmö Opera Orchestra)
Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos by Yo-Yo Ma; Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Shostakovich: The Piano Concertos; Solo Works by Yuja Wang; Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Best classical solo album
Alike – My Mother’s Dream – Allison Charney, soloist; Benjamin Loeb, conductor (National Symphonia Orchestra)
Black Pierrot – Sidney Outlaw, soloist; Warren Jones, pianist
In This Short Life – Devony Smith, soloist; Danny Zelibor, pianist; Michael Nicolas, accompanist
Kurtág: Kafka Fragments – Susan Narucki, soloist; Curtis Macomber, accompanist
Schubert Beatles – Theo Hoffman, soloist; Steven Blier, pianist (Rupert Boyd, Julia Bullock, Alex Levine, Andrew Owens, Rubén Rengel & Sam Weber)
Telemann: Ino – Opera Arias For Soprano – Amanda Forsythe, soloist; Robert Mealy, Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors (Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra)
Best classical compendium
Cerrone: Don’t Look Down – Sandbox Percussion; Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Christopher Cerrone, Ian Rosenbaum, Terry Sweeney & Mike Tierney, producers
The Dunbar/Moore Sessions, Vol. II – Will Liverman; Jonathan Estabrooks, producer
Ortiz: Yanga – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Dmitriy Lipay, producer
Seven Seasons – Janai Brugger, Isolde Fair, MB Gordy & Starr Parodi; Nicholas Dodd, conductor; Jeff Fair, Starr Parodi & Kitt Wakeley, producers
Tombeaux – Christina Sandsengen; Shaun Drew & Christina Sandsengen, producers
Best contemporary classical composition
Cerrone: Don’t Look Down – Christopher Cerrone, composer (Conor Hanick & Sandbox Percussion)
Dennehy: Land Of Winter – Donnacha Dennehy, composer (Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound)
León: Raíces (Origins) – Tania León, composer (Edward Gardner & London Philharmonic Orchestra)
Okpebholo: Songs In Flight – Shawn E. Okpebholo, composer (Will Liverman, Paul Sánchez & Various Artists)
Ortiz: Dzonot – Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Alisa Weilerstein, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
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