Kendrick Lamar leads 2026 Grammy rap nominations

Kendrick Lamar is once again making waves in the rap world, and this time, the entire hip-hop community is watching. With nine nominations at the upcoming 2026 GRAMMY Awards, the Compton legend is reminding everyone why he remains one of the most respected and influential voices in modern music.

Lamar's consistency, creativity, and courage to evolve keep setting new standards for what rap can be.

This isn’t just another awards story; it’s a celebration of artistic excellence. Kendrick’s nominations reflect more than commercial success; they represent years of dedication to the craft, a deep connection to his roots, and a powerful message about the resilience of hip-hop culture.

Kendrick Lamar leads 2026 GRAMMY nominations in Rap & Hip-Hop

If you care about rap, hip-hop, or storytelling through music (and let's be honest, why wouldn't you?), this moment matters. The 2026 GRAMMY nominations highlight a cultural shift, one where rappers aren’t confined to genre boxes anymore.

Kendrick is leading that charge, standing tall as a bridge between rap’s raw truth and mainstream recognition. Let’s break down his nominations and why this year could mark another historic milestone for both him and the genre.

Kendrick, already a titan in hip-hop, is once again dominating the nomination lists. For the 2026 GRAMMYs, he earned nine nominations, more than any other artist this year.

Some of Kendrick Lamar's key nominations for 2026 include:

• Album of the Year for GNX
• Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Luther” featuring SZA
• Best Rap Album for GNX
• Best Rap Song for “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay
• Best Rap Performance for “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay and “Chains and Whips” featuring Pharrell
• Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther” featuring SZA
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for SZA’s “30 for 30” featuring Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick’s dominance isn’t limited to rap categories; his crossover appeal is clear in the pop and record nominations too, showing how hip-hop continues to influence every corner of the music world.