The Grammy nominations are just around the corner, and the anticipation is electric! Imagine the thrill of discovering which groundbreaking albums might snag that prestigious Album of the Year nod—it's the ultimate seal of approval in the music world that can catapult careers and spark endless debates among fans. But here's where it gets controversial: with changes in how the Recording Academy votes, are we seeing a fresh wave of diversity, or is there still a bias toward certain genres and artists? And this is the part most people miss—these nods aren't just about chart success; they reflect cultural shifts and voter sentiments that can surprise us all. All eyes will be on Friday, but if patience isn't your strong suit, let's dive into the buzz and predictions for this year's top contenders.
Published on 11/3/2025
A few recent updates from the Recording Academy might offer clues about what's in store when the Grammy nominations drop on Friday, November 7. For instance, on Monday (November 3), the organization revealed they've welcomed around 2,900 new voting members in their ongoing push to make the group more inclusive. Among these fresh faces, about 49% are under 39 years old, 60% are people of color, and 30% identify as women. This shift aims to bring fresh perspectives, which could shake up the usual suspects and give a platform to voices that have been underrepresented in the past.
Additionally, for the first time ever, invitations to join the Recording Academy went out to all current voting members of the Latin Recording Academy. Many of them accepted, signaling a stronger Latin influence in the voting process. This development strongly suggests that Bad Bunny could be on track for his second Album of the Year nomination with his latest release, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. He was already a frontrunner, especially after being announced as next year's Super Bowl halftime headliner on September 28. With this new influx of Latin voters, he now seems almost unbeatable. Plus, it opens the door for Karol G, whose album Tropicoqueta is now in serious contention for the top prize as well.
Last Thursday, the Academy unveiled the lineup of celebrities set to participate in Friday's nominations livestream, including artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Brandi Carlile, Doechii, Jon Batiste, and Karol G—all of whom are potential nominees. While being asked to announce nominations doesn't guarantee a personal nod (after all, it's more about visibility), it's a promising sign. Would the Academy invite a big star like Carpenter to join the fun if she were completely overlooked? That'd be a rookie mistake, right?
Kendrick Lamar (with GNX) and Lady Gaga (with MAYHEM) appear to be the safest bets for Album of the Year this time around. Both would earn their fifth nomination in the category as lead or co-lead artists, yet neither has claimed the win. If Lamar secures it, he'd make history as the first solo artist to get nods for five straight studio albums—a feat that highlights his consistent excellence.
Elton John and Coldplay might be eyeing their fourth nods—John through his collaboration with Carlile on Who Believes in Angels?, and Coldplay with Moon Music. Meanwhile, Carlile, Batiste (for Big Money), and Justin Bieber (for Swag) could all reach their third nominations in this elite group.
Friday could also mark a historic moment if three rap albums land Album of the Year spots, surpassing the previous record of two in a single year. Lamar's GNX looks like a sure thing, while Clipse's Let God Sort Em Out and Tyler, the Creator's CHROMAKOPIA have solid chances too.
Soundtracks are another hot topic, with KPop Demon Hunters—having become a massive pop-culture sensation—and Wicked, featuring superstar Ariana Grande alongside nearly EGOT-winning talent Cynthia Erivo, as strong possibilities. But let's be real: in the last 30 years, only three soundtracks have made it to Album of the Year, and each was tied to a major producer like Babyface, T Bone Burnett, or Kendrick Lamar himself.
Breakthrough albums often shine here, and this year, Leon Thomas's second effort, Mutt, along with debuts from Alex Warren (You'll Be Alright, Kid) and sombr (I Barely Know Her), are in the mix. Olivia Dean's debut, The Art of Loving, missed the eligibility cutoff (which runs from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025), so she'll have to wait until next year—but she's a strong candidate for Best New Artist this time.
Other notable albums vying for attention include The Weeknd's Hurry Up Tomorrow, Tate McRae's So Close to What, Laufey's A Matter of Time, Bon Iver's SABLE, fABLE, Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken, HAIM's I Quit, Lorde's Virgin, and Kali Uchis' Sincerely.
Now, let's spotlight the eight albums most poised for Album of the Year nominations, arranged alphabetically by artist—just as they'll appear on the official list. For each, we'll note the artist's prior nods as a lead artist and the album's highest Billboard 200 position.
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Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 1
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (four weeks)
Notes: Back in 2022, Bunny's Un Verano Sin Ti shattered barriers as the inaugural Spanish-language album to earn an Album of the Year nod. While his subsequent release, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, didn't make the cut, this new one could rebound spectacularly, positioning him as the sole artist with two Spanish-language albums in this top tier. Think about it—Debí Tirar Más Fotos garnered even stronger critical acclaim and lingered longer on the charts than its predecessor. To top it off, his upcoming Super Bowl performance is keeping him in the spotlight right during voting season, showcasing his growing mainstream appeal. And here's the controversial twist: the racist backlash against his Super Bowl selection might actually fuel a 'backlash against the backlash' from voters eager to show solidarity. If nominated, Bunny would be the first artist ever to headline the Super Bowl solo and contend for Album of the Year in the same year since U2 did it in 2002 with All That You Can’t Leave Behind—quite the milestone compared to Justin Timberlake's shared gig in 2004 with Justified.
The album is also up for Best Música Urbana Album, a category where Bunny has claimed victory twice before.
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Sabrina Carpenter, Man’s Best Friend
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 1
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week)
Notes: Carpenter earned a nod last year for Short n’ Sweet, putting her on the path to join just the third artist in the last decade—after H.E.R. and Taylor Swift—to snag back-to-back nominations. H.E.R. achieved this with compilation albums in 2018 and 2019, while Swift did it with studio releases in 2021 and 2022 (Folklore even took home the win). Fun fact: If she gets nominated, she'll match the Carpenters (no blood relation) who bagged nods in 1971-72.
Man’s Best Friend is also competing for Best Pop Vocal Album, an award Carpenter won last year with Short n’ Sweet. Winning again would make her the first artist to dominate the category consecutively.
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Clipse, Pusha T, Malice, Let God Sort Em Out
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 0
Billboard 200 peak: No. 4 (one week)
Notes: The Clipse duo, along with Pusha T and Malice, are credited on the entry and would likely appear together on the ballot if nominated. Produced by triple Producer of the Year winner Pharrell Williams, the album is also in the running for Best Rap Album.
This marks Clipse's fourth album and first in 16 years, boasting their strongest debut week ever and rave reviews from critics and fans alike—something rare for a seasoned rap group. A nomination here could feel like a career honor, celebrating not just this record but their enduring legacy.
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Elton John & Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels?
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 3 for John, 2 for Carlile
Billboard 200 peak: No. 9 (one week)
Notes: For John, this would be his fourth nod, spanning from Elton John in 1971 to Caribou in 1975 and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy in 1976—creating a 55-year nomination streak, second only to Tony Bennett's 59 years. Produced by 2021's Producer of the Year, Andrew Watt, the album is also contending for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. A win there would mark Carlile's fourth album-category victory: two for Best Americana Album, one for Best Country Album (producing Tanya Tucker's While I'm Livin'), and one for Best Folk Album (producing Joni Mitchell's Live at Newport).
Though it didn't sustain long-term commercial momentum—just two weeks on the Billboard 200—and its CBS special only netted one technical Emmy nod, the artists' stature and the inspiring tale of a modern icon teaming with a legend make it compelling. But here's where it gets controversial: Is the Grammy overlooking commercial success in favor of 'artistic merit,' or does this album truly deserve the hype? Many might argue that longevity and storytelling trump fleeting chart peaks.
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Lady Gaga, Mayhem
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 4
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week)
Notes: This would be Gaga's fifth nod, her first for a modern pop record since Born This Way in 2012. Her prior ones include The Fame in 2010, The Fame Monster in 2011, and Love for Sale (with Tony Bennett) in 2022.
With 14 Grammys under her belt, it's astonishing she hasn't won in one of the 'Big Four' categories yet. Fingers crossed this changes soon! Remember her memorable duet with Bruno Mars on 'California Dreamin'' at the 2025 Grammys to aid wildfire relief, or her headlining Coachella's opening night in April.
Mayhem is also up for Best Pop Vocal Album, where she triumphed in 2011 with The Fame Monster. Another win would tie her with Adele, Kelly Clarkson, and Taylor Swift for the most in that category.
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Kendrick Lamar, GNX
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 4
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (three weeks)
Notes: Lamar is poised to become the first rapper with five nods as a lead artist, tying him with Ye (formerly Kanye West). His nods include good kid, m.A.A.d. city (2014), To Pimp a Butterfly (2016), DAMN. (2018), and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2023), plus a featured role on the Black Panther soundtrack (2019).
He'd also be the first solo artist ever nominated for five consecutive studio albums across genres—outpacing Donald Fagen's combo of solo and Steely Dan works, which included Aja, Gaucho, The Nightfly, Kamakiriad, and the winning Two Against Nature.
GNX is contending for Best Rap Album too, where Lamar has won three times. A fourth win would put him second to Eminem's six.
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Tyler, The Creator, CHROMAKOPIA
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 0
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (three weeks)
Notes: Tyler earned a nod 13 years ago as a featured artist on Frank Ocean's Channel Orange, but this would be his debut as a lead.
CHROMAKOPIA represents a steady rise for Tyler, with each album outperforming the last—shifting from his early provocative style to become a beloved figure in music, praised by both critics and listeners. It smashed his personal Billboard 200 record and is up for Best Rap Album, where he's won twice for Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost. Beating Lamar there would make them even at three wins each.
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The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
Trending on Billboard
Previous Album of the Year nods: 1
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week)
Notes: The Weeknd's nomination came a decade ago with Beauty Behind the Madness, but he was snubbed for Starboy, After Hours, and Dawn FM. His 2021 boycott after no nods for 'Blinding Lights' led to a surprise reconciliation at the Grammys, performing 'Cry for Me' and 'Timeless' from this album. Will voters reward him with a nod now?
Hurry Up Tomorrow is also in the running for Best Pop Vocal Album—his first potential win there, after doubles in Best Urban Contemporary Album for Beauty Behind the Madness and Starboy.
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What do you think—will Bad Bunny's cultural momentum finally break the glass ceiling for Latin music in the Album of the Year category, or is there still an unspoken bias at play? Do you believe soundtracks like Wicked deserve a spot, or should they stick to their niche awards? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below—agree or disagree, let's hear it!
