The 2026 Grammy Awards are scheduled to air this Sunday, February 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS and Paramount+ With Showtime. Nominations, initially announced in November, span a wide range of artists and genres, setting the stage for a competitive awards show.
A Night of Competition and Recognition
Kendrick Lamar currently leads the nominees with nine nominations, hoping to replicate his success from the 2025 Grammys. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Mayhem producer Cirkut follow closely with seven nominations each. Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter each received six nominations, while SZA, Turnstile, and Tyler, the Creator earned five nods apiece.
Performances at the ceremony will include Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, the Creator, and Clipse, who will be joined by Pharrell Williams. Additional performances are expected from Justin Bieber, Reba McEntire, and Lauryn Hill, who will pay tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, as well as all of this year’s Best New Artist nominees.
Repeat Wins and First-Time Chances
Lamar is aiming for back-to-back wins in Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Performance, with “Luther” and “Chains & Whips” as contenders. He is also seeking his first Album of the Year win, having been nominated seven times previously. The Album of the Year race also includes Bad Bunny, Clipse, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tyler, the Creator. Notably, everyone except Leon Thomas and Clipse has been nominated in this category before.
Billie Eilish is in contention for her first Grammy since 2024 with “Wildflower,” while Doechii’s “Anxiety” – a song known to fans since 2019 – is nominated after receiving a formal release in March.
Turnstile’s nominations span rock, metal, and alternative categories, while Tyler, the Creator is a somewhat surprising nominee for Best Alternative Music Album. The Cure, nominated for the first time since 2001, could secure their first-ever Grammy win.
New Faces and Veteran Hopefuls
Several artists are first-time nominees this year, including Dijon, Zach Top, Addison Rae, PinkPantheress, and Lola Young. The Cure are also hoping to break through after a long hiatus from nominations, with their 2024 album Songs of a Lost World and the single “Alone” in contention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the nominations this year?
Kendrick Lamar is leading the nominations with a total of nine.
Where and when can I watch the Grammy Awards?
The 2026 Grammy Awards will air on CBS and Paramount+ With Showtime this Sunday, February 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Which artists are performing at the show?
Confirmed performers include Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, the Creator, Clipse with Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, Reba McEntire, and Lauryn Hill.
As the awards ceremony approaches, will established artists solidify their legacies, or will emerging talents claim their place on the music industry’s biggest stage?
