The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 1, and many have strong opinions on who should and will win (as well as who should’ve been nominated). Below are The Campus Citizen’s picks and predictions in a variety of categories!
Record of the Year:
“DtMF” by Bad Bunny
“Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety” by Doechii
“Wildflower” by Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga
“luther” by Kendrick Lamar, SZA
“The Subway” by Chappell Roan
“APT.” by Rose, Bruno Mars
If the past 10 years of record of the year winners have taught us anything, it's that Grammy voters favor either a well written pop hit or a powerful and thoughtfully produced rap/hip-hop statement. We've seen this both last year in 2025 with “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar and in 2019 with “This is America” by Childish Gambino.
This year, we don't seem to have a nomination to the magnitudes of those records. That may bring it down to two pop ballads.
“Wild Flower” by Billie Eilish is a beautifully written and expertly produced song that encapsulates the feelings of guilt through its use of strings, light digital pressure and vocal delivery. “The Subway” by Chappell Roan delivers nostalgic “wondering” synths, Roan's careful process of producing and writing mixed with the calculated and masterful use of ‘80s synths makes this record stand out among the rest of the nominations.
Both artists stand out through their songwriting and mastery of their sound. Additionally, both artists are previous winners with Eilish being a two-time and consecutive record of the year winner.
Who should win: “The Subway” by Chappell Roan
Who will win: “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish
Who should have been nominated: “Sticky” by Tyler, the Creator (featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne), “Sports Car” by Tate McRae
Album of the Year
“DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS” by Bad Bunny
“SWAG” by Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter
“Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse
“MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga
“GNX” by Kendrick Lamar
“MUTT” by Leon Thomas
“CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, the Creator
For the first time in the history of the Grammys, three rap albums have been nominated for Album of the year: “GNX,” “LET GOD SORT EM OUT” and “CHROMAKOPIA.” While this is great to see and well deserved, it will likely result in vote-splitting and prevent any of the three from winning.
The same goes with the pop albums “Man’s Best Friend,” “MAYHEM” and “SWAG” will likely cancel each other out. While “MUTT” is an inspired nominee, Leon Thomas doesn’t seem to have the popularity to achieve a win.
That leaves “DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS” by Bad Bunny as the frontrunner, and for good reason. His album is not only well made in terms of lyricism and production, but it’s also a love letter to Puerto Rico that shines light on culture, heritage and community. Adding in the fact that voters from the Latin Grammys are voting in this year’s ceremony, and his upcoming Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny is all but guaranteed the win!
Who should win: “Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse
Who will win: “DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS” by Bad Bunny
Who should have been nominated: “EUSEXUA” by FKA twigs
Song of the Year
“Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga
“Anxiety” by Doechii
“APT.” by Rose, Bruno Mars
“DtMF” by Bad Bunny
“Golden” by From KPop Demon Hunters
“Luther” by Kendrick Lamar, SZA
“Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter
“WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish
In a category that recognizes songwriting and lyricism, songs like “Abracadabra,” “Anxiety,” “APT.,” “Golden” and even “Manchild” feel a bit displaced. They aren’t bad songs by any means, but the writing within them isn’t special or particularly memorable.
“Luther” is a nicely written song, but it isn’t the greatest collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA. “DtMF” and “WILDFLOWER” are songs that have significant weight carried within their words, and would be worthy winners.
Who should win: “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish
Who will win: “DtMF” by Bad Bunny
Who should have been nominated: “Man of the Year” by Lorde
Best New Artist
Olivia Dean
KATSEYE
The Marías
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Nominees for best new artists are new to academy nominations, except for one. Leon Thomas has already won a grammy for his production and lyrical contributions on “Snooze,” which took best R&B song in 2024. He's also had nominations and wins on songs he's credited for prior to 2024.
Additionally, Thomas is the only best new artist nominee who is also nominated for album of the year. Combining these factors, he showcases longevity and creative ability which are crucial critiques when it comes to voting for best new artists.
Who should win: The Marias, Lola Young
Who will win: Leon Thomas
Who should have been nominated: Ravyn Lanae, Gigi Perez, Mariah the Scientist and Audrey Hobert
Pop Vocal Album
“SWAG” by Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter
“Something Beautiful” by Miley Cyrus
“MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga
“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)” by Teddy Swims
Do the Grammys feel like a “Man’s Best Friend,” or do they prefer the “MAYHEM” of it all?
This category is really just a battle between pop stars Lady Gaga and Sabrina Carpenter. Both albums were popular and acclaimed, but Lady Gaga has the advantage due to experience and nostalgia (this era was labelled as a return to roots for her).
Plus, Sabrina Carpenter did take this award last year for “Short n’ Sweet,” a considerably better and more memorable album.
Who should win: “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga
Who will win: MAYHEM by Lady Gaga
Who should have been nominated: “Hurry Up Tomorrow” by The Weeknd, “So Close To What” by Tate McRae
Dance/Electronic Album
“EUSEXUA” by FKA twigs
“Ten Days” by Fred Again
“Fancy That” by PinkPantheress
“Inhale / Exhale” by Rüfüs Du Sol
“F— U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3” by Skrillex
While Fred Again, Rüfüs Du Sol and Skrillex are all Grammy favorites, the two (arguably) standout albums in this group are from FKA twigs and PinkPantheress. While “EUSEXUA” may just be FKA twigs’s magnum opus with its powerful world building and themes, there’s no doubt that PinkPantheress made 2025 an “Illegal” party with euphoric anthems and beats.
Who should win: “EUSEXUA” by FKA twigs
Who will win: “Fancy That” by PinkPantheress
Who should have been nominated: “Revengeseekerz” by Jane Remover
Alternative Music Album
“SABLE, FaBLE” by Bon Iver
“Songs of a Lost World” by The Cure
“DON’T TAP THE GLASS” by Tyler, the Creator
“moisturizer” by Wet Leg
“Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party” by Hayley Williams
Out of all the categories in the Grammys this year, alternative music album is certainly the most stacked! Each album in this field brings its own unique edge and could have an argument made as to how it could and why it should win.
“SABLE, FaBLE” is a deep meditation by Bon Iver and is regarded as one of their best works. “Songs of a Lost World” is a remarkable comeback from The Cure. “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” is Tyler, the Creator at his most energetic and experimental. “moisturizer” is Wet Leg’s sophomore smash that takes the band in a completely new direction. And “Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party” is a collection of love and loss from Hayley Williams. No matter what, the winner is deserving!
Who should win: High-key any of them! (But especially “moisturizer”)
Who will win: High-key any of them! (But probably “Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party”)
Who should have been nominated: “Virgin” by Lorde
Rock Album
“private music” by Deftones
“I quit” by Haim
“From Zero” by Linkin Park
“NEVER ENOUGH” by Turnstile
“Idols” by YUNGBLUD
To say it’s an interesting year for Rock Album would be an understatement. This category includes impressive resurgence from Deftones and Linkin Park, memorable work from Turnstile and Haim and a long-awaited breakthrough from YUNGBLUD.
The Grammys like rewarding legacy acts, so Deftones could very well take the trophy, but considering the immense buzz around Turnstile, as well as their four other nominations, it seems as though it’s theirs to lose.
Who should win: “NEVER ENOUGH” by Turnstile
Who will win: “NEVER ENOUGH” by Turnstile
Who should have been nominated: “People Watching” by Sam Fender
Rap Album
“Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse
“GLORIOUS” by GloRilla
“God Does Like Ugly” by JID
“GNX” by Kendrick Lamar
“CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, the Creator
Okay, so alternative music album isn’t the only category at the Grammys that’s insanely stacked! Both Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator have been recent favorites of the Recording Academy, and their respective albums, “GNX” and “CHROMAKOPIA,” are strong efforts.
“God Does Like Ugly” by JID is a standout in his discography, and “GLORIOUS” by GloRilla, while not the strongest in this lineup, is still a nice debut. However, “Let God Sort Em Out” is not only Clipse’s epic comeback, but it's also their masterpiece, and the rightful winner.
Who should win: “Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse
Who will win: “GNX” by Kendrick Lamar
Who should have been nominated: “Lotus” by Little Simz
Who do you think should and will win? Find out on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026!
Christopher Fuentes is a first year student at Indiana University Indianapolis, majoring in Biology (BA) simultaneously enrolled in the paralegal certification program. After class and work Chris spends his time running and lifting, reading historical fiction, autobiographies and memoirs or playing guitar and writing. Nicholas Heck is currently in his third year at Indiana University Indianapolis. He enjoys all things related to music, film and literature. In his free time he enjoys drinking coffee while reading or crocheting, listening to a new album while exercising, and, of course, going to concerts!
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