The 41st GRAMMY Awards played host to a number of historic musical moments. Aside from being a massive evening for female creators across the board – with Madonna, Alanis Morissette, Dixie Chicks, Celine Dion, and Sheryl Crowe all taking home one or more awards – the evening also saw a compelling performance by Ricky Martin that ignited a Latin Pop explosion in the coming year, as well as a series of landmark wins by Lauryn Hill including the first time in GRAMMY history that the coveted Album Of The Year honors went to a hip-hop artist.

Hill's hugely acclaimed solo debut album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill – which to this day remains her only career solo release – was a force to be reckoned with.

Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the album broke the standing record for first-week sales by a female artist, selling close to 423,000 copies in its first seven days.  The album chronicles Hill's reflections on a disintegrating relationship, having emerged stronger and wiser on the other side of a period of personal darkness.

Presenting a uniquely strong female perspective on life, love and relationships that was (and still is) noticeably absent in contemporary pop music, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill was packed with lyrically deep songs that managed to be inescapably catchy and poignant at the same time. All three singles serviced to radio – "Doo Wop (That Thing)," "Ex-Factor," and "Everything Is Everything" – charted Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Doo Wop" eventually claiming the chart's top spot.  "Everything Is Everything" is also notable for standing as the first recorded appearance by a young John Legend in commercial music. Legend, credited under his birth name of John Stephens, played backing piano on the track.

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The album earned a total of 10 nominations at the 41st GRAMMY Awards, and Hill took the stage during the evening's festivities for a rousing performance of "To Zion," with the notable accompaniment of Carlos Santana, with whom she would share in an Album Of The Year Win at the 42nd GRAMMYs for the legendary guitarist's globally successful Clive Davis-produced smash hit album Supernatural.

Altogether, Hill took home five GRAMMY Awards for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, including Album Of The Year, Best R&B Album, Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance – the latter two both for "Doo Wop (That Thing)." 

With her previous wins for Best Rap Album (The Score) and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal ("Killing Me Softly With His Song") as a member of the hip-hop/soul supergroup Fugees, Hill's wins at the 41st GRAMMYs brought her total career wins to seven (rising to eight total the following year, thanks to her shared win for Supernatural). Hill also remains one of just five female artists who can count two or more Album Of The Year wins among their career honors.

Getting The Latest Music News Just Got Easier. Introducing: GRAMMY Bot. Find it On KIK and Facebook Messenger

Editor’s Note: Updated Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, to reflect the results of the 2026 Grammys.

1989 was a year of many highlights, from the debut of "The Simpsons" and "Seinfeld" to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of the Game Boy. It was also the first year hip-hop artists won Grammy Awards, an honor that went to D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince for "Parents Just Don't Understand."

Hip-hop and the GRAMMYs have come a long way in the ensuing decades. While Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff broke barriers with their win for Best Rap Performance, the duo boycotted the show because the rap Category was not televised. The boycott proved successful, as the genre Categories began to be televised during the following year, in 1990, and every year since then.  

Read more: Who Are The Top GRAMMY Awards Winners Of All Time? Who Has The Most GRAMMYs?

Now, the Recording Academy celebrates the sounds of hip-hop and acknowledges the genre’s indelible impact; few genres have disrupted and defined music on such a global scale. Hip-hop rappers, producers, and songwriters have significantly shaped the musical landscape, garnering a bevy of Grammy Awards along the way. And although many artists have taken home Grammy Awards since ‘89, there are a few artists in the game who reign supreme. 

Read on for 10 rappers who have won the most Grammy Awards

Kendrick Lamar

27 wins, 66 nominations

Kendrick Lamar’s wins represent a return of “conscious” rap that tackles topics such as race and politics while embracing the art of authentic storytelling. As such, his 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly gave way to many social justice anthems such as “Alright” and “Wesley’s Theory”; the release also took home the award for Best Rap Album at the 58th GRAMMY Awards.

Further reading: Kendrick Lamar's GRAMMY Timeline: From His First Win And Performances To "Not Like Us"

Additionally, Lamar’s most successful album, DAMN — which features hits like “DNA" and “Humble" — won five GRAMMYs Awards. At the 2025 Grammys, the rapper's hit single “Not Like Us” swept its Categories. Among Lamar's wins that night were Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Music Video. At the 2026 Grammys, he won the Grammy for Record Of The Year for “luther,” Best Rap Album for GNX, Best Rap Song for “tv off,” Best Melodic Rap Performance for “luther,” and Best Rap Performance “Chains & Whips” (his collaboration with Clipse), breaking the record for the rapper with the most Grammy wins.

Learn more: Kendrick Lamar Sweeps The 2025 GRAMMYs With Song Of The Year Win

Kendrick Lamar’s influence extends to broader cultural events, such as his groundbreaking 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. The show set a record for viewership and became one of the most-watched halftime shows since the Super Bowl’s inception, surpassing 130 million views. 

Jay-Z

25 wins, 89 nominations

Rapper and business mogul Jay-Z not only holds the record of having the most GRAMMYs of any hip-hop artist, he is also among the most nominated artists of any genre in GRAMMY history.

The rapper’s GRAMMY wins include Best Rap Album, which he won in 1998 for his album Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life. The album, which was nominated for two additional GRAMMYs, was his highest selling and included songs such as “Hard Knock Life” and “Can I Get A…” featuring Ja Rule and Amil. 

Learn more: Songbook: How Jay-Z Created The 'Blueprint' For Rap's Greatest Of All Time

In 2006, Jay-Z made his musical debut at the GRAMMYs when he performed “Numb/Encore” with Linkin Park and “Yesterday’ with Paul McCartney. From solo hits to collabs with some of the most legendary artists in music, Jay-Z has dominated the GRAMMYs and shows no signs of slowing down. 

Read more: 8 Ways Jay-Z's 'The Black Album' Changed The Hip-Hop Game

His influence was further acknowledged In 2024, when he was bestowed with the prestigious Dr. Dre GRAMMY Global Impact Award. In June 2025, his debut album Reasonable Doubt was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. Not only has he been instrumental in East Coast hip-hop, he has had a hand in shaping fashion and other societal pillars on a global scale, opening doors for artists to go beyond music and branch off into other ventures. 

Kanye West

24 wins, 76 nominations

Kanye West has the second most GRAMMYs of any hip-hop artist, with 24 awards and 76 nominations. His GRAMMY accolades in multiple fields and Categories highlight his versatility as an artist: such as Jesus is King (Best Contemporary Christian Music Album) and The College DropOut (Best Rap Album), the latter of which was his first GRAMMY win in 2004. His awards also reflect his work as a producer; his GRAMMY wins in this arena include Best R&B Song for Alicia Keys’ hit “You Don’t Know My Name,” which West also co-wrote.

West also took home a golden gramophone Best Rap Solo Performance for the hit song "Gold Digger" with Jamie Foxx. At 2008 GRAMMYs, he performed his hit “Stronger” alongside Daft Punk, complete with illuminated, futuristic visuals. In all, Kanye has pushed boundaries with music and art, sampling songs and turning performances into experiences.

Eminem

15 wins, 47 nominations

Eminem’s influence in the industry is evident not only by his chart-topping hits, but also by the number of golden gramophones he has secured. The Detroit rapper, who has effortlessly merged lyrical skill with shock, is both among the best-selling artists of all time and the rapper with the most GRAMMY awards.

Further reading: Songbook: A Deep Dive Into Eminem's Inimitable Career

He is also the only rapper who has won the award for Best Rap Album for three consecutive LPs. Eminem won his first GRAMMYs for The Slim Shady LP; these awards include Best Rap Solo Performance ("My Name Is"), as well as the award for Best Rap Album. 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP, which features "The Real Slim Shady" and "Forget About Dre," won three GRAMMY Awards/ The album also features Eminem's hit song "Stan," which the artist performed at the GRAMMYs as a duet with Elton John.

Read more: 4 Reasons Why Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' Is One Of The Most Influential Rap Records

Pharrell Williams

13 wins, 39 nominations

Pharrell Williams' versatility as a rapper, producer, pop artist and songwriter has garnered 13 GRAMMY wins. His awards showcase different facets of his artistry, from his days as a member of the group the Neptunes, to his work as a solo artist and producer.

From Beyoncé to Britney Spears, he has worked with a range of artists and has thrice taken home the golden gramophone for Producer Of The Year, Non Classical. Highlighting his production work, Pharrell's first GRAMMY was for producing Justin Timberlake’s 2003 album  Justified. His collaboration with Daft Punk spawned the popular hit "Get Lucky," which won GRAMMYs Awards for Record Of The Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. 

As an artist and producer, Pharrell is able to blend pop and hip-hop effortlessly. Pharrell’s "Happy," from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, took home two GRAMMY Awards (as well as an Oscar nomination) and became one of the best-selling singles of the 2010s. Though Pharrell’s ingenuity has opened doors for him to work with an array of artists, he still holds hip-hop in high regard. In recent years, his work on Kendrick Lamar’s albums has spawned several GRAMMYs and nominations–including a win for Kendrick’s song "Alright" off of his album To Pimp a Butterfly. 

Learn more: 4 Ways Pharrell Williams Has Made An Impact: Supporting The Music Industry, Amplifying Social Issues & More

Andre "3000" Benjamin

9 wins, 28 nominations

Andre 3000’s innovative sound and style has pushed creative boundaries in music and netted multiple GRAMMY Awards. Andre 3000's wins and nominations–in both rap and R&B–reflect his work as a solo artist and as part of the group OutKast. His wins include Best Rap Album for Stankonia, as well as Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the hit song "Hey Ya," off of the Speakerboxxx/The Love Below album. Additionally, Andre 3000 has also won a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance for his feature on Anderson .Paak’s song "Come Home."

His versatility as an artist is evident on his recent instrumental jazz album, New Blue Sun, which earned him three nominations at the 2025 GRAMMYs. Additionally, this album showcases a departure from some of the sounds Andre 3000 is known for, and shows audiences that he is unafraid to challenge musical conventions. 

Read more: André 3000 On 'New Blue Sun,' Finding Inspiration In Visual Art & His New Musical Journey

Anderson .Paak 

9 wins, 14 nominations

Although Anderson .Paak is best known for his contributions to R&B, he has netted GRAMMYs for his work as a rapper. He won his first GRAMMY for "Bubblin," a song which took home Best Rap Performance at the 2019 GRAMMYs. At the 2021 GRAMMY Awards, he won Best Melodic Rap Performance for his single "Lockdown." Additionally, he has also secured multiple GRAMMY wins as part of the R&B duo Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars.

The group’s best-selling album, An Evening With Silk Sonic, features the hit song "Leave the Door Open" and brings together R&B and funk. The melodious genre mix ultimately earned the group GRAMMYs for Best R&B Performance and Record Of The Year. 

As a solo artist, Anderson .Paak has also carved out a distinctive and celebrated career, earning multiple GRAMMYs for his genre-bending albums that showcase his unique blend of singing and rapping. 

Lauryn Hill

8 wins, 19 nominations 

Lauryn Hill has established a benchmark for female artists in hip-hop, setting an exceptionally high bar that many artists still aspire to reach. 

Her seminal 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, achieved widespread critical acclaim before becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time. Additionally, it is the first hip-hop album to win a GRAMMY for Album Of The Year. The album ultimately launched Lauryn Hill’s career into the stratosphere; she became the first female rapper with a diamond-certified album. It is also the only solo album Lauryn has put forward to date. In 2024, the album was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. 

Read more: Revisiting 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill': Why The Multiple GRAMMY-Winning Record Is Still Everything 25 Years Later

Although Lauryn Hill’s artistry and lyrical depth has garnered her GRAMMYs as a solo artist, her success also stems from her contributions as a songwriter and vocalist for the hip-hop group the Fugees. The group’s second album, The Score, earned two GRAMMYs and includes the hit song "Killing Me Softly," which is a rendition of Roberta Flack’s original.Additionally, at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards, Lauryn Hill also won a GRAMMY for her work on Santana’s influential album Supernatural, which was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame this year. 

Dr. Dre

7 wins, 26 nominations

Dr. Dre was and remains a highly influential figure in West Coast hip-hop, who has achieved significant success as a rapper, producer and founding member of the group N.W.A.

Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Dre has earned seven GRAMMYs, including the first win for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical by a hip-hop producer and artist. 

His acclaimed solo album, The Chronic garnered Dr. Dre his first GRAMMY for his single "Let Me Ride" (Best Rap Solo Performance). His best-selling album 2001, was also GRAMMY nominated and features popular tracks like "Still D.R.E." and "The Next Episode" with Snoop Dogg. Beyond his solo achievements, he has been instrumental in launching the careers of artists such as Eminem and producing classic albums for both Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.

In 2023, Dr. Dre was honored with having the distinguished GRAMMY Global Impact Award carry his namesake. Since the award’s inception, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have received this accolade.

OutKast

6 wins, 16 nominations 

OutKast’s creative approach to hip-hop has helped them win six GRAMMYs and secure 16 nominations. The duo of Andre "3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, have pushed genre boundaries blending rap, jazz, and pop while staying true to their Southern roots. In 2001, OutKast won their first GRAMMY Awards, one being Best Rap Album for Stankonia.

Their 2004 win for their innovative double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was a defining moment for Southern rap; it notably became the second hip-hop album to receive the GRAMMY for Album Of The Year and Best Rap Album. The album, which was certified diamond, features multiple chart-topping hits such as "The Way You Move" featuring Sleepy Brown and "Hey Ya."

Read more: 10 Reasons Why Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' Is One Of Rap's Most Influential Double Albums

Honorable Mentions

There are many hip-hop artists who have received extensive nominations but have yet to receive a GRAMMY Award — notwithstanding their important contributions to the genre. Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott and Rick Ross each have numerous nominations but no golden gramophone. Snoop leads this pack with a total of 16 nominations, followed by Busta and Minaj (each with a dozen), Scott (10), and Ross (nine). Post Malone stands out, however, with 18 career nominations and no wins.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

The Recording Academy has announced the performers for its annual In Memoriam tribute for the 2026 Grammys. Reba McEntire will be joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson to pay tribute to those we've recently lost in the creative community and honor some of the musical icons who have passed away recently.

Ms. Lauryn Hill will also perform in honor of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack.

Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash will also perform a special tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.

In Memoriam: See the full list of the music legends we've lost.

The full performers lineup at the 2026 Grammys includes:

• Current Best New Artist Grammy nominees Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías, who are performing in a special Best New Artist segment

• Bruno Mars, who is currently nominated for three Grammy Awards at the 2026 Grammys

• Clipse and Pharrell Williams, who are currently nominated at the 2026 Grammys for their work on the former's Let God Sort Em Out

• Justin Bieber, who is currently nominated for four Grammy Awards at the 2026 Grammys

• Lady Gaga, who is currently nominated for seven Grammy Awards at the 2026 Grammys

• Ms. Lauryn Hill will perform in honor of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack in the annual In Memoriam tribute at the 2026 Grammys

• Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash will perform a special tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in the annual In Memoriam segment at the 2026 Grammys

• Reba McEntire joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson, who will pay tribute to those we've recently lost in the annual In Memoriam tribute at the 2026 Grammys

• ROSÉ, who is currently nominated for three Grammy Awards at the 2026 Grammys

• Sabrina Carpenter, who is currently nominated for six Grammy Awards at the 2026 Grammys

• Tyler, The Creator, who is currently nominated for six Grammy Awards

See the full list of performers and hosts at the 2026 Grammys to date (updating in real time).

The 2026 Grammys, hosted by Trevor Noah, will broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+^.

Hours ahead of the live telecast, the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, where the majority of the Grammy Awards of the day are awarded, will stream live from Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET on the Recording Academy's YouTube channel and on live.grammy.com.

Learn more about how to watch the 2026 Grammys.

The Grammy Awards are the only peer-recognized accolade in music and are voted on by the Recording Academy's voting membership body of music makers who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.

Fulwell Entertainment is producing the 2026 Grammy Awards for the Recording Academy. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and Trevor Noah are executive producers.

^Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episodes airs.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

The Best New Artist Category is one of the most exciting at any GRAMMYS Awards. Every year, it shines a spotlight on emerging talent who are defining music’s zeitgeist.

The nominees might be TikTok-raised stars or late-blooming veterans; what matters most is their musical trajectory and impact in the current year. The Best New Artist nominees for the 2026 GRAMMYS — Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young — have each used their unique artistry to create stand-out work that has left a mark on the music industry.

Learn more about the nominees below and read the full 2026 GRAMMYs nominations list ahead of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean’s deep, soulful voice and jazz-inspired pop melodies are a treasure trove, filled with nostalgic gems about love and heartbreak. Her "Man I Need" currently sits at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 after being released this summer; its success a harbinger of global domination to come, but far from an overnight sensation. 

After releasing EPs OK Love You Bye and What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?, the British singer was named Amazon Music’s breakthrough artist of the year in 2021. Her 2023 debut album Messy led to her selection as BBC Music Introducing's Artist of the Year, a place on the shortlist for the Mercury Prize, and nominated for multiple BRIT Awards.

Since then, Olivia Dean performed at Glastonbury 2024, and supported Sam Fender and Sabrina Carpenter on tour. By the time her second LP, The Art of Loving, came out on Sept. 26, 2025, its three singles "Nice to Each Other," "Lady Lady," and "Man I Need" had already crowned her as a new industry favorite. As the world falls in love with her sensibility, she receives her well-deserved first GRAMMYS nomination for Best New Artist.

KATSEYE

A project between Geffen Records and South Korea’s HYBE Entertainment, KATSEYE is a global girl group born from K-pop’s cutthroat training system. Out of 120,000 applicants, Sophia, Daniela, Megan, Manon, Lara, and Yoonchae were shortlisted along with 14 other contestants to participate in the 2023 survival show "The Debut: Dream Academy." There, they underwent intense practice lessons and weekly eliminations until finally being selected as members of the six-piece group.

Hailing from widely different backgrounds, KATSEYE harness diversity as one of their main strengths. Leader Sophia was born in the Philippines; main dancer Daniela is American with Venezuelan and Cuban roots; all-rounder Megan is from Hawaii with a Singaporean Chinese mother; the charismatic Manon is Swiss Ghanaian; vocalist Lara is Indian American; Yoonchae (the youngest of the group at 17) is Korean. 

Although they have yet to release a full album, KATSEYE’s releases have proved their potential to take over the world. "Touch" — from their first EP, 2024’s SIS (Soft Is Strong) — went viral on TikTok for its addictive drum and bass. KATSEYE's 2025 was marked by the outlandish hyperpop of "Gnarly" and the Latin-inspired "Gabriela," both from their sophomore EP, Beautiful Chaos. "Gnarly" earned them their first Billboard Hot 100 entry, while the EP debuted in the fourth place on Billboard’s 200 chart.

Add to all that a third single, "Gameboy," performances at Wango Tango and Lollapalooza Chicago, and a viral denim campaign for Gap — and you got the recipe for this generation’s most exciting girl band.

The Marías

Formed in Los Angeles by vocalist María Zardoya, drummer/producer Josh Conway, guitarist Jesse Perlman and keyboardist Edward James, The Marías have been active for almost a decade. The indie group have developed a unique blend that melds Zardoya’s Puerto Rican heritage and atmospheric, magical pop grooves to increasing acclaim.

Their 2021 debut album Cinema included the single "Hush," which topped Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart. In the following year, they joined Halsey’s Love and Power Tour and collaborated with Bad Bunny on "Otro Atardecer" — a track from Un Verano Sin Ti, for which they received their first GRAMMYS nomination for Album Of The Year as featured artists.

The Marías' first Best New Artist nomination comes right after a major upheaval in their career. Just before the band started working on their second album, 2024’s Submarine, Zardoya and Conway ended their eight-year relationship. The breakup led to a six-month hiatus, lots of therapy, and, ultimately, their most vulnerable, resonant LP.

From this tumultuous time arose their breakout hit "No One Noticed," which went viral on TikTok as a summertime sadness anthem and reached No. 22 on the Hot 100. Since then, The Marías have opened select shows for Billie Eilish back in December and participated on "Ojos Tristes" off Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s I Said I Love You First. Their nomination in the Best New Artist Category is a well-deserved acknowledgement after years of expressive work across genres.

Addison Rae

Originally  known as one of TikTok’s most famous dancers, Addison Rae has spent the past few years focused on making her own music. The transition wasn’t easy: Her 2021 debut single "Obsessed" was panned by critics, and audiences seemed resistant to the idea that an influencer could be taken seriously as an artist. But Rae didn’t back down.

"I've learned that growth takes time and experience takes time," she told GRAMMY.com. "When 'Obsessed' came out, a lot of people were like, ‘Why are you releasing music? You haven't struggled in music, you haven't put in the years that it takes to become an artist!’" After "Obsessed," Rae decided to put in the years and the work. "I was in the studio all the time. I was writing and forcing myself to feel uncomfortable in writing alone."

Her first EP, 2023’s AR, introduced listeners to Rae’s dreamy soundscape. She was then featured on Charli xcx's remix of "Von Dutch," and her own "Diet Pepsi" broke into Hot 100 in 2024. By the time Rae dropped her first studio album, Addison, in June 2025, the public was more than ready to embrace this new chapter. 

Addison received rave reviews for its impeccable vibes and carefully curated sounds, with themes ranging from money and fashion to introspective, intimate abstractions. It’s a product that only a chronically online influencer like Rae could create. Her fresh artistic vision and confidence in songwriting prove that she was made to be a pop star — and with her first GRAMMYS nomination for Best New Artist, she can expect to soar even higher.

sombr

Like many of his peers, Shane Michael Boose — the 20-year-old New Yorker performing as sombr — chased his dream of being a singer through TikTok. His emotive voice and eager lyrics struck a chord, and before he noticed, he had not one, but two entries on the Billboard Hot 100. "Back to friends" and "undressed" garnered more than one billion streams combined, assuring that whatever Boose was doing, he was on the right path.

His 10-track debut LP, I Barely Know Her, was released in August 2025 and showed that Boose had even more up his sleeve. In addition to the two aforementioned tracks, I Barely Know Her featured singles "we never dated" and "12 to 12" (whose music video features fellow nominee Addison Rae), and an alt-rock brilliancy inspired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Prince, and the Rolling Stones. Boose is the only credited songwriter on the album, and co-produced it along with his mentor, the GRAMMY-winning producer Tony Berg.

Beyond this sound, Boose is an extremely relatable Gen Zer, self-deprecating and silly on his ever growing TikTok accounts (of course, he has a spam one). His ingenuity is as endearing as his music is compelling, and both will certainly lead him far.

Leon Thomas

A Broadway child actor-turned-songwriter, Leon Thomas has long been in the music scene — just not in the spotlight. He spent years crafting chart-topping hits for artists like Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Drake, and took home a Best R&B Song golden gramophone at the 2024 GRAMMYS for SZA’s "Snooze," which he co-wrote and produced.

Working with top stars made Thomas realize he had to put his own dreams first. "Writing these records and working with these big artists is such a blessing, but I want to hit stages and see the world through my music," he told GRAMMY.com. Thomas' 2023 debut studio album, Electric Dusk, showed off his R&B prowess and finesse; the following year, he earned his first-ever entry on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the title track from his sophomore LP, MUTT (itself nominated for Album Of The Year). A neat, addictive midtempo, "MUTT" crowned Thomas as a solo star to be reckoned with. One year later, Thomas advocated for creators as Music Advocacy Day's 2025 Artist Ambassador.

"First off, I've had a GRAMMY on my lock screen on my phone for, like, a year and a half. So this has been a one-track-minded thing," Thomas revealed in a backstage interview right after winning his first golden gramophone as a producer last year. Regardless if he’s kept the lock screen or not, the Recording Academy Voting Membership has taken notice, and acknowledged his riveting solo work.

Alex Warren

It sounds like a joke to say that a track titled "Ordinary" would become one of 2025’s most ubiquitous hits. Like its singer, Alex Warren, "Ordinary" is anything but. Fervently devotional and majestically orchestrated, the song compares love to "Something so heavenly, higher than ecstasy," and offers a surge of dopamine to hopeless romantics around the world.

Warren has been through an unusual assortment of highs and lows. By 21, he had been homeless, lost both his parents, co-founded and participated in the TikTok collective Hype House (of which Addison Rae was also a member), and started dating his future wife. Now 25, he is married, saw his life change overnight with the success of "Ordinary," and will add a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist to his extraordinary history.

Included in his debut studio album, July’s You’ll Be Alright, Kid, "Ordinary" reached No. 1 in more than 30 countries — including the Billboard Hot 100 — and stayed at the top of the charts for weeks. Along with it came fellow hits "Bloodline" with Jelly Roll, "On My Mind" featuring BLACKPINK’s Rosé, and "Eternity." An extension of Warren’s 2024 EP of the same name, You’ll Be Alright, Kid is a 21-track anthology and a statement about Warren’s catapult into superstardom.

Lola Young

It’s hard not to relate to Lola Young’s unapologetic lyricism. Talking about experiences and feelings that many would rather forget, she brings healing in the form of catharsis. That’s what made her 2024 single "Messy" a viral hit, with stinging verses like "And I'm too perfect 'til I show you that I'm not/ A thousand people I could be for you, and you hate the f—ing lot" and "I'm not skinny, and I pull a Britney every other week/ But cut me some slack, who do you want me to be? 'Cause I'm too messy, and then I'm too f—ing clean."

"Messy" is the sixth single from Young’s acclaimed 2024 sophomore album, This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, and became her first entry — and first No. 1 — on the charts in both the U.K. and the U.S. It also earned her the Ivor Novello Rising Star award that same year. But Young’s success didn’t come out of the blue: The 24-year-old South Londoner has been penning fearless lyrics and developing her stirring, raspy vocals since she was just 14.

Following her hard-earned mainstream breakout, Young released her third LP, I’m Only F–king Myself, in September 2025. Led by singles "Not Like That Anymore," "One Thing," and "d£aler," the album established Young as a promising talent to watch. Her nomination for Best New Artist at the 2026 GRAMMYS confirms it.

Editor’s Note: *This article was originally published on Dec. 9, 2018, and was updated on Oct. 31, 2025 to add updated information about the GRAMMY Awards process.*

How many albums are in your record collection? You see, confusion between the terms "album" and "record" are nothing new, as vinyl albums are often called "records" — and those interchangeable words may leave some GRAMMY viewers puzzled.

The General Field Categories include both Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year, but recognize two different things. In short, Album Of The Year honors a full project of songs, and Record Of The Year highlights one song (though it's also different from Song Of The Year; more on that here).

While the Category names may seem somewhat intertwined, their qualifications are not. Below, learn more about how Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year are defined by GRAMMY standards.

Album Of The Year, Explained

According to the official Recording Academy guidelines, recordings must contain at least five different tracks and a total playing time of at least 15 minutes or a total playing time of at least 30 minutes with no minimum track requirement.

Voters in this Category are expected to consider the quality and artistry of the collection of tracks as a whole, and this GRAMMY is awarded to any Artist(s), Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Engineer(s), Mixer(s), and Mastering Engineer(s) with greater than 20 percent playing time on the album.

Record Of The Year, Explained

On the other hand, the Record Of The Year Category awards a single track and recognizes the artist's performance as well as the overall contributions of the Producer(s), Engineer(s), Mixer(s), and Mastering Engineer(s).

In both cases, with Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year, recordings must be released within the eligibility period and available to the public as standalone purchases or audio-only streams, although exceptions are made for opera and music video/film.

For a further look into the contrast between these formats, the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame is filled with both, clearly labeled.

For more information about the 2026 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process; read our First Round Voting guide for the 2026 GRAMMYs; read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines; and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.