The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony is in full swing, celebrating the most outstanding musical contributions of the past year. With an extensive list of 95 categories, the Recording Academy is meticulously recognizing artists and their work. While only a select nine categories will be unveiled during the prime-time broadcast, which commences at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT, the majority of the awards are being presented in the earlier "premiere ceremony," a three-and-a-half-hour event that began at 3:30 ET/12:30 PT.
As the day progresses, we are continuously updating the list of victors from both the afternoon and evening segments. Notable wins have already emerged, with "Defying Gravity," performed by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, securing the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Lady Gaga's track "Abracadabra" has also garnered multiple accolades, including Best Dance Pop Recording and Best Remixed Recording, highlighting her significant presence at this year's awards. Additionally, "Golden," from the soundtrack of "KPop Demon Hunters," triumphed in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category, proving its impact despite losing in other nominations. The pre-telecast also saw Cirkut named Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) and Amy Allen recognized as Songwriter of the Year.
The rap and R&B categories have seen strong performances. Kendrick Lamar clinched two early awards for Best Rap Song with "TV Off" and Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Luther." Lamar is a frontrunner this year, boasting nine nominations for his album "GNX" and the song "Luther," and is poised to potentially set a new record for most Grammy wins by a rapper. Lady Gaga also has a strong showing with seven nominations for her album "Mayhem" and single "Abracadabra," a number matched by producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut.
Emerging talent Leon Thomas, a Best New Artist nominee, has received six nods. He competes against a diverse group of artists including Olivia Dean, Katseye, and Addison Rae. Global superstars Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter are also heavily nominated, each with six chances to win, including in the prestigious Album, Record, and Song of the Year categories. Trevor Noah is hosting the ceremony for the sixth and final time, with the main event airing live on CBS and Paramount+.
The evening promises more excitement with major categories still to be announced. Fans are eager to see who will take home the top honors in Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, where tracks like Bad Bunny's "DtMF," Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra," and Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" are strong contenders. The competition remains fierce across all genres, from rock and alternative, where artists like The Cure and Turnstile have already seen success, to jazz, gospel, and Latin music. The Grammys continue to celebrate the vast and vibrant landscape of contemporary music.
The extensive list of nominees and winners underscores the breadth and depth of musical talent celebrated at the Grammys. From established icons to rising stars, the awards recognize creativity and innovation across a multitude of genres and categories. The evening's events highlight the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the music industry, honoring both chart-topping hits and critically acclaimed works.