Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny Vie for Grammy Glory in Historic Race
The 66th Annual Grammy Awards are poised for a potentially groundbreaking night, as Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny compete for the top honors, representing a significant shift in the music industry’s recognition of diverse genres. None of the nominated artists – including Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler the Creator, Leon Thomas, and the duo Clipse – have previously claimed the coveted Album of the Year title.
Hip-Hop’s Pursuit of Recognition
With nine nominations this year and a total of 22 Grammys already, Kendrick Lamar, 38, is a frontrunner. His album “GNX” is being lauded as both a retrospective of his career and a tribute to the California rap scene that shaped him. A win for Lamar would add his name to a short list of hip-hop artists to achieve the honor, joining only Lauryn Hill and the duo OutKast.
A Historic Potential Win for Latin Music
The potential for history extends to Bad Bunny, 31, whose album “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” could become the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year. The album deeply incorporates the traditional rhythms of Puerto Rico, where the artist is from, and addresses the island’s history of colonization under U.S. jurisdiction since 1898. “His coronation would further show the growing influence of Latin American cultures in the United States,” noted musicologist Lauron Kehrer.
Lady Gaga’s Electropop Revival
Lady Gaga, 39, returns to her electropop roots with “Mayhem,” an album characterized by a chic gothic aesthetic and exploring the complexities of celebrity. The album is among those competing for the top prize alongside Lamar and Bad Bunny.
Open Races for Song and Recording of the Year
The categories of Song and Recording of the Year, which recognize songwriting and production respectively, remain highly competitive. Nominees include Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” (featuring SZA), and Kendrick Lamar’s “luther” (also featuring SZA). The K-pop track “Golden,” from the soundtrack of “KPop Demon Hunters,” is also in contention, as are “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, and “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish.
R&B’s Rising Stars
R&B is experiencing a resurgence, with Leon Thomas, 32, and Olivia Dean, 26, both nominated for Best New Artist.
Lamar’s Recent Success and Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Spotlight
Kendrick Lamar dominated last year’s ceremony, securing five awards for his hit “Not Like Us,” and followed that success with a highly-watched performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. This year, Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl on February 8th, presenting a rare opportunity for U.S. fans to see him perform outside of Puerto Rico. The artist has intentionally limited his tour dates in the continental United States to protect attendees from potential immigration police raids.
A Changing Academy
The increasing presence of reggaeton, rap, and K-pop in the Grammy’s main categories, according to one analyst, reflects an adaptation to the evolving music industry landscape rather than a deliberate attempt to instigate change. The Recording Academy has recently added 3,800 new members – half under the age of 39 and 58% people of color – with the stated goal of “reflecting the vitality of today’s diverse musical landscape,” according to director Harvey Mason Jr. Members of the Latin Recording Academy were also consulted during the process.
