Who will win at the 2026 Grammy Awards?
The Gazette’s arts and culture editor’s picks are in
The biggest night in music is right around the corner. The Grammys will air live from Los Angeles on Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. AST. In preparation for this year’s awards, the Dalhousie Gazette’s arts and culture editor predicts who will take home the night’s top awards.
Record of the Year
Nominees:
“DtMF”
Bad Bunny
“Abracadabra”
Lady Gaga
“Manchild”
Sabrina Carpenter
“Wildflower”
Billie Eilish
“Luther”
Kendrick Lamar and SZA
“Anxiety”
Doechii
“The Subway”
Chappell Roan
“APT.”
Rosé and Bruno Mars
Winner: “DtMF,” Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny was named Spotify’s Global Top Artist for the fourth year in a row for a reason. His career is gratifying to witness. His music transcends language barriers, and Bad Bunny has unwaveringly stood by his Latinx community when it matters most.
Album of the Year
Nominees:
Swag
Justin Bieber
Chromakopia
Tyler, The Creator
Mayhem
Lady Gaga
Man’s Best Friend
Sabrina Carpenter
GNX
Kendrick Lamar
Let God Sort Em Out
Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
Mutt
Leon Thomas III
Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Bad Bunny
Winner: Mayhem, Lady Gaga
Was Mayhem the best Lady Gaga album of all time? No. Does it even break the top 5? Also no. But even at her most mediocre, none of Gaga’s competitors hold a candle. What she lacked in musical quality, she made up for with theatrics and classic pop star production value.
Song of the Year
Nominees:
“DtMF”
Bad Bunny
“Abracadabra”
Lady Gaga
“Manchild”
Sabrina Carpenter
“Wildflower”
Billie Eilish
“Golden”
Huntr/x: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
“Luther”
Kendrick Lamar and SZA
“Anxiety”
Doechii
“APT.”
Rosé and Bruno Mars
Winner: “Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga
For the first time on record, there was no “song of the summer,” at least if you’re asking me. That’s because Lady Gaga’s winter release of “Abracadabra” was such a moment, it sustained popularity through the winter, spring and summer.
Best New Artist
Nominees:
Olivia Dean
Leon Thomas III
Alex Warren
Katseye
Lola Young
The Marías
Addison Rae
Sombr
Winner: Addison Rae
Addison Rae has been the best new artist since the release of her 2023 EP, AR. If Lady Gaga is God, Charli XCX is the Pope and Addison Rae is a cardinal. It’s clear that her career is no fad, and she’s already earned her place in the pop music hall of fame. The rolodex of references is exquisite, her fun-loving, carefree attitude is infectious, and her dedication to the craft is genuinely inspiring. Addison Rae will go all the way.
