While the Recording Academy’s final round of voting for the 68th Grammy Awards concluded on Jan. 5, artists and audiences anticipate the annual ceremony this Sunday night. Spanning genres and generations, this year’s Grammy Awards will feature performances from every Best New Artist nominee and bring the addition of Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album. While critics and audiences voice their own opinions leading up to the event, here is a list of predictions from The Appalachian’s Arts & Culture desk editors.
Album Of The Year
“DeBí TiRaR MáS FOToS,” Bad Bunny – Owen’s prediction
Wishing to capture his fleeting memories of home, Bad Bunny’s sixth studio album “DtMF” is a love letter to Puerto Rico. The album title translates to “I should have taken more photos,” and through song and brief moments of spoken word, Bunny relays this feeling. Elevating his typical reggaeton production, Bunny ventures into an immersive soundscape of salsa, plena and Jíbaro music. With six nominations leading up to Sunday night, Bunny is also set to headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show with support from Green Day.
“MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga – Alex’s prediction
Drawing on herself for inspiration, Lady Gaga’s seventh studio album, “MAYHEM,” is a collection of tracks that ooze pure Gaga eclecticism. This return to form mimics the soundscapes of “Born This Way” and “The Fame,” classic electropop albums that skyrocketed Gaga’s career. “MAYHEM” is about Gaga liberating herself from the fears of her own work and identity, while celebrating her discography and its influences, like David Bowie and Prince. If “MAYHEM” takes home “Album Of The Year,” it will be Gaga’s first win in the category, despite being nominated for it five times previously.
Record Of The Year
“Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga – Owen and Alex’s prediction
The second single off “MAYHEM,” “Abracadabra,” is an eclectic dance track that embodies one of Gaga’s essential elements to music-making: camp through chaos. The post-chorus drives with heavy synths, lifting the listener to recite the phrase “Feel the beat under your feet, the floor’s on fire / Abracadabra, abracadabra.” The music video has grossed over 225 million views, and features Gaga dancing with glamour, gusto and everything in between.
Song Of The Year
“DtMF,” Bad Bunny – Owen’s prediction
The abbreviated title track from his Grammy-nominated album, “DtMF,” embodies the mixed feelings of regret and reflection old photographs hold. Bunny enunciates his love for people, place and purpose through lively plena — a Puerto Rican call-and-response musical structure — with choir chants and mellow rhythms. Losing loved ones, whether physically or emotionally, is a universal experience that Bunny details with nostalgia and nuance.
“Golden — From ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’” HUNTR/X: EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, KPop Demon Hunters Cast – Alex’s prediction
“Golden” from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” was an unexpected chart topper last year. The fictional girl group HUNTR/X made history with their song, as it was the first to spend 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global charts, and still remains on the Billboard at No. 3. “Golden” was also nominated for an Oscar for “Best Original Song,” becoming the first K-pop genre song nominated for an Academy Award. Despite being from an animated K-pop group, this history-making song is a top contender for “Song Of The Year,” and could be the first ever K-pop song to win a Grammy.
Best New Artist
Olivia Dean – Owen’s prediction
With her second studio album, “The Art of Loving,” Olivia Dean has secured her spot in global pop music. With multiple charting singles, notably, “Man I Need,” “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” and “Nice To Each Other,” it is no surprise Dean has landed upon the list of contenders for Best New Artist. The academy has previously given this award to many English pop acts, including Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith and Dua Lipa, and could follow suit with Dean this year.
Leon Thomas – Alex’s prediction
Known for his role as André Harris in the Nickelodeon show “Victorious,” Leon Thomas’ popularity in the music industry surged with the release of his sophomore album “MUTT.” The singer has established an immense collection of writing and production credits for big artists over the years, with his work on “Snooze” by SZA even winning him a Grammy last year. The R&B neo-soul artist has established himself as an autonomous act, and after being nominated for “Album Of The Year” this year, Thomas is a top contender for “Best New Artist.”
Best Pop Vocal Album
“MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga – Owen’s prediction
Blurring the lines between synth-pop and dance-rock, Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM” is the culmination of its predecessors. Reinterpreting the influences from her back catalog, Gaga sounds complete on standout tracks “Abracadabra,” “Vanish Into You” and “Zombieboy.” Another dramatic installation to the high-fashion pop stars’ discography, “MAYHEM” is jam-packed with dance tracks that have drawn record-breaking crowds, such as her May 2025 performance on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which amassed 2.5 million attendees.
“Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter – Alex’s prediction
Following the huge success of “Short n’ Sweet” by Sabrina Carpenter, the young artist released her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend,” just one year later. The dance-pop album is sonically experimental for the artist, featuring synths and disco-inspired beats reminiscent of ‘80s icons like Donna Summer and ABBA. The album explores the vulnerability of breakups with a confident and cheeky point of view, a staple for the singer. As the winner of this category at last year’s Grammys for “Short n’ Sweet,” Carpenter could become the third artist to ever win the award twice, alongside Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift.
Best Pop Solo Performance
“The Subway,” Chappell Roan – Owen’s prediction
Chappell Roan’s festival hit turned two-time Grammy-nominated song, “The Subway,” details the extensive period of waiting for an ex-lover to become “just another girl on the subway.” Debuting the single during her set at the Governors Ball Music Festival in June 2024, the track quickly gathered attention online with its expansive bridge, which repeats the phrase, “She’s got a way (she got, she got away / She got away, she got away).” Following her Best New Artist win last year, it would not be a surprise to see the growing pop star collect another win.
“Disease,” Lady Gaga – Alex’s prediction
“Disease” introduced listeners to the world of Lady Gaga’s album “MAYHEM” as the first single off the album. Though it had a slow start, the song is now seen as a staple of the album’s era. Through lyrics like “Eyes roll back in ecstasy / I can smell your sickness, I can cure your (Cure) / Cure your disease,” Gaga holds true to the classic grit that listeners have come to expect from her. The song encompasses the fear of having to face even the darkest parts of yourself, representing Gaga’s inner battle with her own tormenting demons. Gaga hasn’t won this category since “Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?)” in 2019, and this could be her second time ever taking the award home.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Golden — From ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’” HUNTR/X: EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, KPop Demon Hunters Cast – Owen and Alex’s prediction
“Golden” from Netflix’s “Kpop Demon Hunters” was performed by the animated K-pop group HUNTR/X, composed of EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI. The group most recently performed at “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” alongside Grammy winners Chappell Roan and Diana Ross. Following months on the Billboard charts, HUNTR/X could make history with their win, being the first fictional group to win “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
Best Album Cover
“Glory,” Perfume Genius – Owen’s prediction
Peering through the floor-to-ceiling window, a mysterious figure appears distant from Mike Hadreas — the man behind Perfume Genius — as he lies sprawled on the carpet floor. Hadreas described the cover as personal and earnest, balancing between a performance of absurdity and drama. A mirror of the music it contains, the cover is both intimate and revealing, suggestive and sincere, portraying Hadreas’ mission of authenticity on his seventh studio record.
“The Crux,” Djo – Alex’s prediction
“The Crux” hotel is the focal point amidst a mass of people all carrying out their daily lives, with small details hidden throughout the everyday scene. Djo hides a plethora of easter eggs throughout the “maximal” cover for his album “The Crux,” including himself hanging from the hotel window in a ‘70s style suit — an era he was heavily inspired by for the album. This chaotically engaging cover full of endless details could take home the first-ever Grammy for “Best Album Cover.”