The Grammy Awards return to Los Angeles on Sunday with a renewed focus on celebrating musical excellence after last year’s ceremony pivoted to wildfire relief efforts. Kendrick Lamar enters as the frontrunner with nine nominations, while Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and producer Cirkut trail closely behind with seven nods each. The 68th annual ceremony promises unforgettable performances and potential history-making moments as the industry’s elite gather at Crypto.com Arena.
Streaming Options and Broadcast Details
CBS will broadcast the main ceremony live starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1. Viewers without cable can access the show through multiple streaming platforms, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV, all of which carry CBS in their channel packages.
Paramount+ subscribers with the premium tier can stream the awards live, while those on the essential plan will find on-demand access available the following day. The premiere ceremony kicks off earlier at 3:30 p.m. Eastern at the Peacock Theater, streaming exclusively on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and live.GRAMMY.com. The Associated Press will also stream four hours of red carpet coverage featuring interviews, fashion highlights and commentary on nominees including Drake on YouTube and APNews.com.
Kendrick Lamar Leads Competitive Field
Kendrick Lamar’s commanding lead with nine nominations puts him at the forefront of this year’s competition. The Compton-born rapper’s cultural impact continues to resonate throughout the music industry, positioning him as a favorite across multiple categories. Kendrick has consistently pushed boundaries in hip-hop, blending social commentary with innovative production techniques that have earned him critical acclaim and commercial success.
Following the frontrunner, Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Canadian producer Cirkut each earned seven nominations. Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas and Serban Ghenea secured six nominations apiece. The five-nomination club includes an eclectic mix of talent such as Andrew Watt, Clipse, Doechii, Sounwave, SZA, Turnstile and Tyler, the Creator. This diverse group of nominees reflects the Grammys’ evolving recognition of varied musical styles and genres. Kendrick’s presence among this talented roster highlights his sustained relevance in an ever-changing musical landscape.
Star-Studded Performance Lineup
The evening will feature electrifying performances from Justin Bieber, Clipse with Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, Rosé and Tyler, the Creator. Lady Gaga will also take the stage, adding to what promises to be a memorable showcase of musical talent. Industry insiders anticipate that Kendrick may deliver one of the night’s most talked-about performances, though official confirmation remains pending.
In a unique moment, all eight best new artist nominees will perform, including Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, global sensation Katseye, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren and Lola Young. This tradition gives emerging artists a platform to shine before the industry’s most influential figures and millions of viewers worldwide. The performances offer these rising stars an opportunity to make lasting impressions on both the live audience and those watching from home.
Special Tributes and Presenters
The ceremony will honor music legends through carefully curated tributes. Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson will perform during the in memoriam segment, celebrating artists who passed away over the past year. Ms. Lauryn Hill will pay homage to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, while Post Malone joins forces with Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan and Slash to honor rock icon Ozzy Osbourne.
Trevor Noah returns for his sixth and final year as host, bringing his signature wit and musical knowledge to the proceedings. Presenters include an impressive roster of talent such as Doechii, Harry Styles, Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Jeff Goldblum, Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah and Teyana Taylor. Their presence underscores the cross-generational appeal and cultural significance of the awards.
After last year’s emotionally charged ceremony that prioritized Los Angeles wildfire relief, the 2026 Grammys mark a return to pure celebration of musical achievement. With Kendrick positioned as the night’s leading contender and competitive races across major categories, plus performances from both established superstars and rising stars, the ceremony promises to deliver memorable moments that will shape conversations about music for months to come. Whether Kendrick sweeps his categories or faces surprising upsets, Sunday night will undoubtedly cement itself as a defining moment in Grammy history.
Source: Associated Press
