Now that the American Music Awards has opened the door to the music awards season, the Grammys are stepping it up with their only unveiling. On Monday morning (Dec. 7), the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States announced the nominees for the upcoming event. Coming out on top with the most nominees for the 2016 show is Kendrick Lamar. The California rapper has earned a total of 11 nominees for this album, To Pimp a Butterfly, and the track “Alright.”
Following Lamar, are his recent collaborator Taylor Swift and The Weeknd with a total of seven nominations apiece. The pop star is nominated for her hit album 1989 and several tracks featured on it, while The Weeknd’s nominations comes courtesy of his recently released album Beauty Behind the Madness and his contribution to the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack.
While Lamar, Swift, and The Weeknd seem like likely contenders, the “Album of the Year” category shows off just how eclectic the music universe has become. Indie group Alabama Shakes, country superstar Chris Stapleton, Swift, Lamar, and the Weeknd will all compete for the big category of the evening; “Album of the Year.”
Check out some of the categories, with the nominees, below.
Album Of The Year
Sound & Color — Alabama Shakes
To Pimp A Butterfly — Kendrick Lamar
Traveller — Chris Stapleton
1989 — Taylor Swift
Beauty Behind The Madness — The Weeknd
Record Of The Year
“Really Love” — D’Angelo And The Vanguard
“Uptown Funk” — Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
“Thinking Out Loud” — Ed Sheeran
“Blank Space” — Taylor Swift
“Can’t Feel My Face” — The Weeknd
Song Of The Year
“Alright” — Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
“Blank Space” — Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
“Girl Crush” — Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town)
“See You Again” — Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth)
“Thinking Out Loud” — Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)
Best New Artist
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor
For Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Ship To Wreck” – Florence & The Machine
“Sugar” – Maroon 5
“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar
“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
Best Dance Recording
“We’re All We Need” – Above & Beyond feat. Zoë Johnston
“Go” – The Chemical Brothers
“Never Catch Me” – Flying Lotus feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Runaway (U & I)” – Galantis
“Where Are Ü Now” – Skrillex and Diplo w/ Justin Bieber
Best Rock Performance
“Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes
“What Kind Of Man” by Florence & The Machine
“Something From Nothing” – Foo Fighters
“Ex’s & Oh’s” – Elle King
“Moaning Lisa Smile” – Wolf Alice
Best Alternative Music Album
Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes
Vulnicura – Björk
The Waterfall – My Morning Jacket
Currents – Tame Impala
Star Wars – Wilco
Best Rap Album
2014 Forest Hills Drive – J. Cole
Compton – Dr. Dre
If You’re Reading This Its Too Late – Drake
To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Ego Death – The Internet
You Should Be Here – Kehlani
Blood – Lianne La Havas
Wildheart – Miguel
Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd
Best Country Album
Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Pain Killer – Little Big Town
The Blade – Ashley Monroe
Pageant Material – Kacey Musgraves
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Jeff Bhasker
Dave Cobb
Diplo
Larry Klein
Blake Mills
Best Music Video
“LSD” – ASAP Rocky
“I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” – The Dead Weather
“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar
“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Freedom” – Pharrell Williams
The 58th annual Grammys will air live on Feb. 15, 2016. The show will take place at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. For more information about the upcoming awards show, head on over to the Grammy’s website.
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