Nominations for all 95 categories were recently released for the 68th Grammy Awards, which will be held Feb. 1. With so many categories to cover, it would be impossible to discuss them all, so I’ll be focusing on the Big Four: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year, along with my predictions for who might take home the coveted golden gramophone on music’s biggest night.
Best New Artist
Nominees: Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young.
While each of these artists had a major breakout year, I think this category comes down to Olivia Dean and KATSEYE. Dean’s track “Man I Need” has earned more than 300 million streams on Spotify and helped her reach 41 million monthly listeners, impressive numbers that give her a strong edge. KATSEYE, however, isn’t far behind with 33 million monthly listeners, and its biggest hit, “Gabriela,” has surpassed 394 million streams. Either win would be well deserved, but my prediction leans slightly toward Olivia Dean.
Song of the Year
Nominees: “Abracadabra” (Lady Gaga), “Anxiety” (Doechii), “APT” (ROSÉ, Bruno Mars), “DtMF” (Bad Bunny), “Golden” (KPop Demon Hunters), “Luther” (Kendrick Lamar with SZA), “Manchild” (Sabrina Carpenter), and “WILDFLOWER” (Billie Eilish).
This award celebrates songwriting, including lyrics, melody, and overall composition. It’s a strong lineup, though I’d personally rule out “APT,” as its lyrics fall a bit flat compared with the others. My prediction? “WILDFLOWER.” Billie Eilish’s lyricism and haunting melodies have made her a consistent Grammy favorite, and this song perfectly showcases her songwriting strengths.
Record of the Year
Nominees: “DtMF” (Bad Bunny), “Manchild” (Sabrina Carpenter), “Anxiety” (Doechii), “WILDFLOWER” (Billie Eilish), “Abracadabra” (Lady Gaga), “Luther” (Kendrick Lamar with SZA), “The Subway” (Chappell Roan), and “APT” (ROSÉ, Bruno Mars).
Often confused with Song of the Year, this award recognizes the technical side of music, the production, mixing, mastering, and performance. This is one of the most exciting awards of the night, especially since each artist performs their nominated song live. While production across the board is top-tier, I’m predicting a win for Chappell Roan’s “The Subway.” The song’s dramatic build and cinematic production have captivated listeners, making it a standout in pop music this year.
Album of the Year
Nominees: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (Bad Bunny), “SWAG” (Justin Bieber), “Man’s Best Friend” (Sabrina Carpenter), “Let God Sort Em Out” (Clipse, Pusha T & Malice), “MAYHEM” (Lady Gaga), “GNX” (Kendrick Lamar), “MUTT” (Leon Thomas), “CHROMAKOPIA” (Tyler, The Creator).
The biggest award of the night features some heavy hitters. As much as I’d love to see Bieber take home this award, I think his chances are slim. My prediction is “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga. With her last studio album released back in 2020, a five-year wait has built major anticipation. Combine that with the album’s critical acclaim and Gaga’s legacy as one of pop’s most theatrical and consistent artists, and it feels like this could be her year to reclaim the spotlight.
Overall, I think this year’s nominations are a bit boring and low stakes. There were definitely some snubs as there are every year; artists like ROLEMODEL, The Weeknd, Lorde, and Ariana Grande were all missing from the top categories. However, the Grammys are my favorite night of the year, so I will definitely be tuning in.
–Nov. 13, 2025–
