The anticipation is building as the 2026 Grammy nominations have been revealed, and Justin Bieber stands as a leading Canadian contender. His latest album, simply titledSwag, has earned him a coveted nomination for Album of the Year, alongside recognition for Best Pop Vocal Album.
Further bolstering his chances, Bieber’s tracks “Daisies” and “Yukon” are also in the running, competing for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best R&B Performance respectively. The nominations mark a significant moment for the artist, solidifying his place on the international music stage.
However, the announcement wasn’t without its surprises – and disappointments. The Weeknd, a critically acclaimed artist who previously voiced strong criticisms of the Grammys, received no nominations this year despite submitting his 2025 release,Hurry Up Tomorrow, for consideration in over a dozen categories.
His past frustration with the Recording Academy is well-documented. In 2020, despite a hugely successful album, he received no nominations and publicly demanded “transparency” from the organization, labeling the process as “corrupt.”
The Grammys leadership acknowledged his concerns last year, with CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stating they had “listened, acted, and changed.” Yet, this year’s results leave questions lingering about the evolution of that process.
Beyond Bieber, Canadian talent is well-represented. Halifax-born producer Cirkut, whose real name is Henry Walter, has seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Lady Gaga’sMayhemand Song of the Year for Gaga’s “Abracadabra” and Rosé & Bruno Mars’ “Apt.”
Calgary’s Tate McRae is celebrating her first-ever Grammy nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording with “Just Keep Watching,” featured in the soundtrack for the Brad Pitt racing film, F1. This marks a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Dominating the nominations this year is rapper Kendrick Lamar, with an impressive nine nods for his 2024 album,GNX. He’s competing for the top prizes – Album, Record, and Song of the Year – for the third time simultaneously.
Notably,GNXis one of three albums nominated in both the Rap Album and Album of the Year categories, alongside Clipse’sLet God Sort Em Outand Tyler, the Creator’sChromakopia. This unprecedented crossover highlights the blurring lines within the music landscape.
The Album of the Year category also includes Sabrina Carpenter’sMan’s Best Friend, Bad Bunny’sDebi Tirar Mas Fotos, and Leon Thomas’Mutt, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and artists.
Producer Jack Antonoff, after being absent from the nominations last year, returns with seven nods, largely due to his work with Lamar, Gaga, and Cirkut. His influence on contemporary music is undeniable.
In a surprising turn, actor Timothée Chalamet has earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, thanks to his portrayal of Bob Dylan inA Complete Unknown. This unexpected recognition demonstrates the power of music in film.
Bad Bunny is making history withDebi Tirar Mas Fotos, becoming only the second all-Spanish language album to be nominated for Album of the Year. His previous album,Un Verano Sin Ti, was also nominated in 2023, paving the way for greater recognition of Latin music.
Eligibility for the 2026 Grammys was limited to recordings commercially released in the U.S. between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. This timeframe underscores the fast-paced nature of the music industry and the constant cycle of creation and release.
The 68th Grammy Awards will air on February 1, 2026, promising a night of celebration and recognition for the year’s most outstanding musical achievements.
