Guardian predictions: who will — and should — win the 2026 Grammys

The Guardian’s preview of the 2026 Grammys picks Kendrick Lamar & SZA to win record of the year; Bad Bunny to win album of the year; Huntr/x to win song of the year (though Bad Bunny is its "should win" pick); Olivia Dean for best new artist; Chappell Roan to win best pop solo performance (the piece says Lola Young should win); Linkin Park to win best rock performance (the piece prefers Yungblud); Clipse to win best rap performance; and Zach Top to win best country solo performance.

On record of the year the article lists Bad Bunny’s "DTMF", Sabrina Carpenter’s "Manchild", Doechii’s "Anxiety", Billie Eilish’s "Wildflower", Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s "Luther", Lady Gaga’s "Abracadabra", Chappell Roan’s "The Subway" and Rosé & Bruno Mars’ "APT." The Guardian argues winners in this category tend to combine huge commercial success with a sense of defining the year; it highlights that "Luther" spent 13 weeks at US No 1 and that Doechii’s "Anxiety" was a viral breakthrough but heavily samples earlier material.

For album of the year the nominees include Bad Bunny’s "Debí Tirar Más Fotos", Justin Bieber’s "Swag", Sabrina Carpenter’s "Man’s Best Friend", Clipse’s "Let God Sort ‘Em Out", Lady Gaga’s "Mayhem", Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX", Leon Thomas’s "Mutt" and Tyler, the Creator’s "Chromakopia".

2026 grammys, the guardian, record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, best new artist, best pop solo performance, best rock performance, best rap performance, best country solo performance, kendrick lamar & sza, bad bunny, huntr/x, olivia dean, chappell roan, lola young, linkin park, yungblud, clipse, zach top, sabrina carpenter, doechii, billie eilish, lady gaga, rosé & bruno mars, debí tirar más fotos, gnx, dtmf, luther, anxiety