{"id":12760,"date":"2026-02-01T17:37:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/?p=12760"},"modified":"2026-02-01T17:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:37:35","slug":"the-2026-grammys-who-will-win-and-who-should-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/2026\/02\/the-2026-grammys-who-will-win-and-who-should-win\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 Grammys: Who Will Win and Who Should Win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Music\u2019s biggest night returns on Sunday, Feb. 1st. Predicting the outcome of the Grammys is never a precise test; as the Recording Academy has a long history of snubs, overdue recognition, odd omissions and very rarely, getting things right. There\u2019s no doubt that the public\u2019s opinion is far from similar to that of the Recording Academy, which is why I\u2019ll be going through some of the notable categories to predict who I think will<\/em><\/strong> win at the 68th ceremony (and compare that to who I think should<\/em><\/strong> win).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Record of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>\u201cDTMF\u201d by Bad Bunny, \u201cManchild\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter, \u201cAnxiety\u201d by Doechii; \u201cWildflower\u201d by Billie Eilish, \u201cAbracadabra\u201d by Lady Gaga, \u201cLuther\u201d by Kendrick Lamar & SZA, \u201cThe Subway\u201d by Chappell Roan and \u201cAPT.\u201d by Rose & Bruno Mars<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cLuther\u201d by Kendrick Lamar & SZA. This unlikely smash hit topped the Billboard<\/em> Hot 100 for thirteen consecutive weeks, longer than any other song in 2025. On top of the commercial success it saw, the song is sonically stunning; with Spanish guitars and a Luther Vandross sample backing a traditional Hip-Hop beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cAbracadabra\u201d by Lady Gaga. This song debuted at the 67th ceremony last year and nearly instantly became a cultural moment. When people look back in 2025 in music, they\u2019ll certainly mark this song as Lady Gaga\u2019s return to form after nearly a decade of meandering around different sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Album of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: \u201c<\/strong>Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos by Bad Bunny, \u201cSwag\u201d by Justin Bieber, \u201cMan\u2019s Best Friend\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter, \u201cLet God Sort Em Out\u201d by Clipse, \u201cMayhem\u201d by Lady Gaga, \u201cGNX\u201d by Kendrick Lamar, \u201cMutt\u201d by Leon Thomas and \u201cChromakopia\u201d by Tyler, the Creator<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cMutt\u201d by Leon Thomas. This was an unexpected joy the first time I heard it, and an even more joyous experience the second, third and onwards. It\u2019s an odd mix of Steve Lacey-esque soul music with an occasional Frank Ocean flow and addictive Hip-Hop beats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cDeb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos\u201d by Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny\u2019s cultural importance has always been present, but this is the first time he\u2019s seen to be part of the monoculture. His winning this award would be the first achievement of dozens to come this year; notably his Super Bowl LX Half-Time performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Song of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>\u201cAbracadabra\u201d by Lady Gaga, \u201cAnxiety\u201d by Doechii, \u201cAPT.\u201d by Rose & Bruno Mars; \u201cDTMF\u201d by Bad Bunny, \u201cGolden\u201d by Huntrix, \u201cLuther\u201d by Kendrick Lamar & SZA; \u201cManchild\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter and \u201cWildflower\u201d by Billie Eilish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cManchild\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter. The Song of the Year award goes to the best songwriting, and I think Sabrina Carpenter\u2019s chart-topping lead single is some of the best and most clever songwriting she\u2019s ever done. While 2024 was her year of cultural domination, she\u2019s done more effective and creative work in 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cManchild\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter. Through a split vote, I think Carpenter also has a chance to win this category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best New Artist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>Olivia Dean, Katseye, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> Leon Thomas. As mentioned above, Leon Thomas has taken me by surprise this year. His confessional songwriting, charming persona and star factor all make him. In a perfect world, he wins; but in a more realistic world, he needs more time to matriculate into the mainstream before winning this award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> Olivia Dean. There\u2019s not a person alive at the moment that doesn\u2019t know Olivia Dean; from her effortless appearance to her doo-wop aesthetics, she\u2019s been everywhere this past year. Her presence combined with break through into the mainstream make her the perfect candidate to win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Pop Vocal Album<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: \u201c<\/strong>Swag\u201d by Justin Bieber; \u201cMan\u2019s Best Friend\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter, \u201cSomething Beautiful\u201d by Miley Cyrus, \u201cMayhem\u201d by Lady Gaga and \u201cI\u2019ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2)\u201d by Teddy Swims<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cSomething Beautiful\u201d by Miley Cyrus. \u201cSomething Beautiful\u201d is by far my favorite Pop album to come out in 2025. It is experimental to its core with truly interesting sounds and lyricism. It didn\u2019t have enough of a cultural and commercial presence to seize the attention of many, but it should\u2019ve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cMan\u2019s Best Friend\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter won this award for \u201cShort n\u2019 Sweet,\u201d although I find that her follow up is even more impressive; showing her growth in songwriting and experimentation. Not my first pick, but I\u2019d be happy if she won. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Alternative Music Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>\u201cEverything Is Peaceful Love\u201d by Bon Iver; \u201cAlone\u201d by The Cure, \u201cSeein\u2019 Stars\u201d by Turnstile, \u201cMangetout\u201d by Wet Leg and \u201cParachute\u201d by Hayley Williams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cAlone\u201d by The Cure. This would\u2019ve been my choice for Record of the Year had it been nominated. It is nothing short of simply beautiful, with classic The Cure guitars and haunting delivery behind top-tier lyricism. If this was released at The Cure\u2019s peak, it would\u2019ve fared phenomenally, showing their timelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cAlone\u201d by The Cure. This would mark The Cure\u2019s first Grammy win after nearly fifty years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Traditional R&B Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>\u201cHere We Are\u201d by Durand Bernarr, \u201cUptown\u201d by Lalah Hathaway, \u201cLove You Too\u201d by Ledisi, \u201cCrybaby\u201d by SZA and \u201cVibes Don\u2019t Lie\u201d by Leon Thomas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cCrybaby\u201d by SZA. This is SZA at her most authentic and focused. The production reminisces on 60s R&B and Jazz, while making it modern through her personal lyricism. This is perhaps her best song, and is certainly one of my favorites she\u2019s worked on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cCrybaby\u201d by SZA. No songs in the category even seem to approach the level of genius behind \u201cCrybaby.\u201d I would be surprised if she didn\u2019t win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Rap Album<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: \u201c<\/strong>Let God Sort Em Out\u201d by Clipse, \u201cGlorious\u201d by GloRilla; \u201cGod Does Like Ugly\u201d by JID; \u201cGNX\u201d by Kendrick Lamar and \u201cChromakopia\u201d by Tyler, the Creator<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cLet God Sort Em Out\u201d by Clipse. It\u2019s hard to make a return to music after sixteen years and it\u2019s even harder to make that comeback good. Clipse has tackled both of these quarrels on their fourth studio album. They sound exactly like the Clipse that left us in 2009, only more accomplished, focused and ready to tell us what they\u2019ve been up to all this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cGNX\u201d by Kendrick Lamar. This is tied head-to-head in quality with the aforementioned, so I would be equally as happy if this one won. Kendrick never fails to make an interesting album, and this is a great addition to his near-perfect discography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Country Song<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>\u201cBitin\u2019 List\u201d by Tyler Childers, \u201cGood News\u201d by Shaboozey, \u201cI Never Lie\u201d by Zach Top, \u201cSomewhere Over Laredo\u201d by Lainey Wilson, and \u201cA Song to Sing\u201d by Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cBitin\u2019 List\u201d by Tyler Childers. It is a honky-tonk masterpiece with genuinely hilarious lyrics, that\u2019s deserving enough for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cA Song to Sing\u201d by Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton. These two country legends are sure to take home the award. It is a sweet love song put on top of a groovy country beat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Music Video<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: <\/strong>\u201cManchild\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter, \u201cSo Bet It\u201d by Clipse, \u201cAnxiety\u201d by Doechii, \u201cLove\u201d by OK Go and \u201cYoung Lion\u201d by Sade<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cYoung Lion\u201d by Sade. A mini documentary chronicling the story of Sade Adu\u2019s son; with video from his childhood, prior to his transition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cManchild\u201d by Sabrina Carpenter. This video is equally as deserving as \u201cYoung Lion,\u201d just for a different reason. While the former feels like a documentary, this music video feels like every action movie you\u2019ve ever watched squashed into a single three-minute recording. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Album Cover<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees: \u201c<\/strong>Chromakopia\u201d by Tyler, the Creator, \u201cDeb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos\u201d by Bad Bunny, \u201cThe Crux\u201d by Djo; \u201cGlory\u201d by Perfume Genius and \u201cMoisturizer\u201d by Wet Leg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Win:<\/strong> \u201cThe Crux\u201d by Djo. Each time you look at the cover, you can\u2019t help but examine every aspect of the scene. Each time, there\u2019s a new discovery; from the person hanging out the window to the robber escaping from a manhole. Even more impressive is the fact that it was shot in one take, with no AI or editing involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Win:<\/strong> \u201cDeb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos\u201d by Bad Bunny. This cover is the perfect example of simplistic, yet effective. While maybe not the most extravagant or hard-to-pull-off, this cover holds its own meaning as a symbol of Latin American culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the end of the night, the Grammys will do what they\u2019ve always done: substantiate careers, annoy others and ultimately spark debates that matter more than the actual trophies themselves. The Grammys rarely serve as a true measure of artistic greatness, but rather a peak into what the Recording Academy is willing to give flowers to given the cultural moment. Occasionally, the winners of the night align with a narrative of innovation, risk and true experimentation; other times it rewards commercial success and familiarity; and it is sometimes even a mix of the two. Whether it\u2019s overdue recognition of a legacy act like The Cure or a breakthrough moment for newer voices like Leon Thomas, the Grammys this year will reflect the industry that is constantly self-correcting. Come Sunday, not every choice will feel right, but the conversations that will follow remind us why music remains worth caring about. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Music\u2019s biggest night returns on Sunday, Feb. 1st. Predicting the outcome of the Grammys is never a precise test; as the Recording Academy has a long history of snubs, overdue recognition, odd omissions and very rarely, getting things right. There\u2019s no doubt that the public\u2019s opinion is far from similar to that of the Recording Academy, which is why I\u2019ll be going through some of the notable categories to predict who I think will win<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":436,"featured_media":12761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[319,435,318],"tags":[],"coauthors":[706],"class_list":["post-12760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-culture","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-01-at-12.36.28-PM-e1769967412962.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12760"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12760\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12762,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12760\/revisions\/12762"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12760"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=12760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}