On Friday, November 7th, the nominations were announced for the 2026 Grammy Awards show that will be held on February 21st. The Recording Academy’s voting members contemplate and decide who this year’s nominees will be, and there is always an upset across social media regarding some of their favorite artists who didn’t receive nominations and they believe were snubbed, while the talented nominees are embraced and their talent is celebrated among their fanbases.
Rightful Recognitions
Sabrina Carpenter released her 7th studio album, A Man’s Best Friend, on August 29th 2025. It was an immediate hit among her fans and even increased her fanbase to larger than it already was! This album included the hit single, “Manchild,” which was identified as ‘the song of the summer’ which received 4 Grammy nominations including Song of the Year. This album included songs that match her up-beat persona that made her fans fall in love with her. A Man’s Best Friend was nominated for some of the biggest awards such as, Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Dijon received recognition on his artistry for not only his personal album he released, Baby!, but also his production on Justin Bieber’s latest release which has also received many Grammy nominations. Dijon received his first career Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year. He has a unique sound that he sticks to and executes flawlessly increasing his popularity after his many releases this year.
Billie Eilish’s latest album release held many popular hits but her song “Wildflower” really stood out to the voting academy, getting nominated for awards such as Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Billie Eilish’s fans were in a frenzy last year when she was snubbed of the Grammy win, so they are hoping she will walk out with the victory this time around.
Snubs and Upsets
It is impossible to please everyone, however, and the Recording Academy caused some major upset throughout the media with some very talented artists being snubbed this year with the nominations list.
Lorde released her fourth studio album, Virgin, this year on June 27. The album included fan favorites singles, such as “Man Of The Year” and “What Was That,” alongside a tracklist filled with a diverse production of alternative pop. It has been over a decade since the artist won a Grammy for her song, “Royals,” increasing the upset in fans. The album focused on shedding layers and being true to oneself, causing fans to really resonate with this piece of art and voice their opinions on it not being nominated for a single award.
Role Model’s album, Kansas Anymore: The Longest Goodbye also did not receive a single nomination even after the artist had a breakout year in the industry. Throughout the year, Role Model quickly gained popularity while on his international tour, but it wasn’t until “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” was released for Role Model to go from a performer to a sensation. His new and dedicated fanbase at least expected a nomination for Best New Artist, but yet another snub was experienced.
Djo, otherwise referred to as Joe Keery, actor known for his role in Stranger Things, unexpectedly released an album this year, Crux, that secured his spot as one of the most influential artists of the century. Including the fan favorite single, “Basic Being Basic,” the tracklist is filled with Djo’s new and experimental sound, sparking curiosity on how it did not reward him with a single Grammy nomination.
Exa and Maddie’s Picks
Best New Artist
Exa’s Pick: If it were up to me, Addison Rae would be leaving the 2026 Grammys with the title of Best New Artist. Her debut synth-pop album, Addison, took inspiration from Charli xcx and Lana del Rey, while also developing her own sound and unique character as an artist. Her radio-hit single, “Diet Pepsi,” could win an award alone, but my personal favorite track is New York.
Maddie’s Pick: In my opinion, Olivia Dean should win the Grammy for Best New Artist for the 2026 Grammys. Her second-studio album, The Art of Loving, has taken the internet and music industry by storm since its release in September 2025, with the single, “Man I Need,” that brought Olivia Dean into the spotlight and I’m here for it.
Song Of The Year
Exa’s Pick: DtMF by Bad Bunny has my vote for the 2026 song of the year. The Puerto Rican artist delivered intense emotion regarding nostalgia and regret over a catchy track, causing both critics and I to fall in love with the song.
Maddie’s Pick: The Song of the Year award would go to “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter if it were up to me. This song quickly became the song of the summer and had everyone falling in love with her new album before its release. This song brought the listeners an up-beat and happy song they could jam to at any time of the day which made her fans love the song and anticipate her win for the Grammys.
Album Of The Year
Exa’s Pick: Justin Bieber’s SWAG was given many nominations this year, and my hope is that it will also, deservingly so, win album of the year. The chart-topping album had a stacked set of producers, including two of my personal favorites, Dijon and Mk.gee. I believe that those two make magic together, so putting them on the same album set it up to be a hit.
Maddie’s Pick: Sabrina Carpenter’s album A Man’s Best Friend has received many Grammy nominations which has led it to be nominated for album of the year and rightfully so. My wish is for A Man’s Best Friend to pull through with the win because in my opinion, it was thoughtfully written with up-beat songs that are perfect for everyone, like my personal favorite song, “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry”, which has taken the music industry by storm.
