Grammy nominations were announced today, and like clockwork, we couldn’t help but notice that the many musicians honored among the 95 categories reflect the breadth of what we bring to the Tiny Desk. Artists perform in the NPR Music office without monitors or backing tracks, which has turned the Tiny Desk into a space where musicians not only show off their talent but also connect with audiences on an intimate level.
It’s no surprise that a boatload of 2026 Grammy nominations are for rappers, rockers, legends and newcomers who performed at the Tiny Desk in just 2025 alone. It’s like we’re tastemakers or something! Here’s something different, though: Imagine our shock when the words “Tiny Desk” appeared next to one of the nominated songs (Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” for best R&B performance). Not only that, but Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso’s PAPOTA, nominated for best Latin rock or alternative album, includes music recorded at the Tiny Desk in 2024. Yes, we’re patting ourselves on the back.
Kendrick Lamar‘s reign continues: The Los Angeles rapper has received nine Grammy nominations for the 2026 awards, following a triumphant sweep earlier this year in which he took home more golden Gramophones than any other artist — including record of the year and song of the year for his mic-dropping “Not Like Us.” On Friday, Lamar received nods in three major categories. He could repeat in record of the year and song of the year and add album of the year to his trophy case in 2026, with potential wins in the rap and pop duo/group performance categories, too.
At the 68th annual Grammy Awards, which will be presented at a ceremony on February 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, competition for the top awards will also include Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter and Bad Bunny. Gaga trails behind Lamar with seven nominations, including best pop solo performance (“Disease”) and best pop vocal album (MAYHEM). Canadian record producer Cirkut, who co-produced Gaga’s album, also has seven nominations, as does Jack Antonoff, who’s recognized for his work with Lamar and Carpenter. Bad Bunny has six nominations. So does the breakout star of last year’s Grammys — Carpenter — and the newcomer with most nominations this year, including best new artist — Leon Thomas.
The 32-year-old Thomas — who just landed his first Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this week — is in the running for several R&B categories (including for a song recorded during his NPR Tiny Desk concert), as well as album of the year (MUTT). Joining Thomas among the nominees for best new artist are girl group KATSEYE, soul-pop singer Olivia Dean (who also cracked the Top 10 this week), indie-pop band The Marías, English singer Lola Young, Gen-Z rocker sombr and two TikTok creators turned pop stars: Alex Warren and Addison Rae.
Grammy nominated artists who played the Tiny Desk in 2025
In the rap categories, the Recording Academy embraced the highly-touted return of the duo Clipse, following a 16-year hiatus. The Thornton brothers, a.k.a. Malice and Pusha T, received five nominations for their album Let God Sort Em Out. Doechii, who delivered one of last year’s most electric Grammys performances, also received five nominations for her single “Anxiety.” (Although the song originally came out in 2019, the Swamp Princess re-recorded and re-released “Anxiety” this year after it went viral on TikTok). Tyler, the Creator — who has publicly called out the Academy for how it categorizes rap — is once again nominated for best rap album (CHROMAKOPIA) and best rap song (“Sticky feat. GloRilla, Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red“). He’s also up for best alternative album (DON’T TAP THE GLASS), album of the year (CHROMAKOPIA) and best album cover (CHROMAKOPIA).
For country music traditionalists, Grammy changes promise a brighter spotlight
The 68th annual Grammy Awards will feature 95 categories total, highlighting a multitude of genres as well as behind-the-scenes figures like songwriters and producers. This year, the Recording Academy will introduce two new categories. The first is for best album cover. Nominees include Bad Bunny (DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS), alt-rocker Djo (The Crux) and the English band Wet Leg (moisturizer). The second debuting category is for best traditional country album. The first nominees include father and son Willie Nelson (Oh What A Beautiful World) and Lukas Nelson (American Romance), as well as Zach Top (Ain’t In It For My Health), Charley Crockett (Dollar A Day) and Margo Price (Hard Headed Woman).
