Movin’ On Team Picks: 2026 Grammy Winners

Grammy season is upon us, folks!

Although controversial at times, the music industry’s largest annual award show recognizes the most impactful art released in the previous calendar year. The Grammys are bound to stir up opinions while drawing heavy viewership, and the 2026 iteration will be no exception. 

While there will be no shortage of input when someone’s favorite artist inevitably gets “robbed,” the Movin’ On Team has put together their picks for the top four GRAMMY categories: Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, and Best New Artist. Let’s take a look!

Cadyn Gill

Best New Artist: Addison Rae 

I went back and forth between The Marias and Addison Rae for my Best New Artist pick, but what tilted the scales was timeliness. While The Marias easily boast the strongest recent project of all the nominees with “Submarine”, it was released on May 31, 2024, which is a few months outside of the 2026 Grammy eligibility window. Because of this technicality, my choice shifts to Addison Rae, who surprised the world with a self-titled pop album that truly delivered an early 2000’s pop girl sensation. “New York”, “Diet Pepsi”, “Money Is Everything”, “Summer Forever”, “Fame is a Gun”, and “Head Phones On” served as refreshing summer anthems and have simply refused to leave my rotation since. I commend Addison for releasing her debut album with a small creative circle, because we’ve seen some artists rely on a large team of industry professionals just to launch a project that flops. Her uniqueness deserves to be recognized. 

Record of the Year: “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA

I often judge music by whether it makes me feel something, physically or emotionally. Luther checks that box more than any other record that is nominated for ROTY, and it’s not particularly close. The ultra-smooth harmonization between Kendrick and SZA creates a soulful sound that is truly palpable. The classic Luther Vandross vocal sample and its buttery violin melody combine to put the cherry on top of a damn near perfect record. 

Album of the Year: “CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, The Creator

This was the hardest category for me to decide on, but in the end, I simply had to give “CHROMAKOPIA” the nod. The 14 tracks feature a range of sounds, from rap to R&B to alternative rock, some even genre-less, while delivering complex themes rooted in Tyler’s genuine self-reflection as he realizes his youth is behind him. His abstract approach to “CHROMAKOPIA’s” production is extremely impressive because of the project's cohesiveness. Only Tyler could make internalized homophobia or opting out of monogamy into a danceable track, which is why it’s time to acknowledge him as more than a rapper and crown him Album of the Year. 

Song of the Year: “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish

Since Song of the Year focuses more on lyricism and songwriting, I’m going with “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish. I remain confused as to how it is still eligible despite being released in May 2024, but I digress. “WILDFLOWER” delivers a crushing, melancholic feeling with its lyrics and sucks listeners in with its escalating delivery as it progresses. The song conveys a feeling of helplessly falling to your death as you replay the past in your head, knowing you can’t change a thing. After being deprived of any recognition last year for such an authentic project in “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”, I think Billie gets her flowers (no pun intended) this time around. 

Rachael Keller

Best New Artist: Leon Thomas

Leon Thomas should take home Best New Artist from the Grammys this year because he is extremely talented. His work has a unique sound and displays his wonderful talent, which I think will grow in the coming years.

Song of the Year & Record of the Year: “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, Album of the Year: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by Bad Bunny

I think Bad Bunny takes SOTY, ROTY, and AOTY for this year's Grammys. His album was not only amazing to listen to, but it had deeply political and social implications, which I believe makes it a true work of art. music is meant to deliver a message and tell a story, and I believe he did just that. 

Dominic DiFrancesco

Best New Artist: Addison Rae

Addison Rae is my pick for Best New Artist. She had the huge challenge of shaking off the public image of TikTok dances and has practically completely shed it. With a genuinely exceptional and cohesive album produced by Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd, she proved she is far more than internet hype. Songs like “Diet Pepsi,” “Headphones On,” and “Fame Is a Gun” helped make this an incredible breakout year and showed that she has fully arrived as a serious pop artist.

Album of the Year: “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga

My pick for Album of the Year is MAYHEM by Lady Gaga. Quick bias check, I am a huge Little Monster, and I was at the MAYHEM Ball this summer. That said, this album was a massive win for Gaga. It balances the excellence, maturity, and heart of recent projects like Joanne with the iconic sound of albums like The Fame and Born This Way. This truly felt like Gaga’s year.

Song of the Year: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga

My pick for Song of the Year is also “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga. Who could forget last year’s Grammys when she debuted the song and its music video in full during a commercial break? It feels fitting to come full circle and award her the song after such an iconic moment. And, how many pop songs today are still giving us a full intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and post-chorus? Gaga delivered all of it.

Record of the Year: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga

My pick for Record of the Year is “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga. It was a truly year-defining track. Even people outside of Gaga’s fanbase knew the song, and it became a huge part of the cultural conversation. It felt unavoidable in the best way and reminded everyone of Gaga’s ability to dominate pop on a massive scale.

Sami Altmire

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

The Recording Academy has a history of picking the most popular artist over the most talented for this category. Luckily, Olivia Dean has both. Going viral all over social media, having her music be in multiple movies and shows this year, and being such a strong vocalist, Dean is a shoo-in to win a Grammy this year.

Album of the Year: “Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter. 

This album has all the right components: popularity, pop perfection, and by an artist that the Grammys seem to adore. Sabrina Carpenter is pop royalty at this point, and I think the Recording Academy sees that this album was topping charts.

Song of the Year: “DtMF” by Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny is the world’s sweetheart, and this song was everywhere this year. It came out in January of 2025, which gave it a while to get the full recognition and live the life it deserves. DtMF is a beautiful song that transcends language, therefore beloved by everyone.

Record of the Year: “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish

Many believe that Billie was snubbed at last year’s Grammys after receiving zero wins. This song, produced by her brother, Finneas, is a masterclass in production and performance. Wildflower is also still everywhere, even a year and a half after its release. I think the voters will see that the people want this song to win.

Hailey Long

Record of the Year: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga 

I feel like this song was THE song during Spring 2025. It was played so much after its release during the 2025 Grammys and became a record-breaker almost immediately. It deserves Record of the Year in my opinion because of its massive success in just one year after its release. It marked a pivotal moment in music; Lady Gaga brought Art-Pop back into the conversation. 

Song of the Year: “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter 

Manchild was the soundtrack of  Summer and Fall 2025. The TikTok trend was on everyone’s For You Page, and the song was on every radio station. Carpenter always finds a way to make a fun pop song for everyone to enjoy- song of the year should be hers yet again. 

Album of the Year: “Debí tiRAR MáS FOtoS” by Bad Bunny 

Bad Bunny made a defining album for himself and for his home of Puerto Rico. He continuously roots his music in his love for his culture and his family, as well as issues that he faces daily in the public eye. His album was an amazing reflection of everything he believes in, and it deserves to win Album of the Year- just like it won AoTY at the 2025 Latin Grammys.

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean has really emerged into the public eye this year. To me, she is one of the best choices for Best New Artist because she truly came from nowhere. One day, her music was just everywhere- radio, TikTok, and on almost every talk show on TV. She has made her presence in the music industry known, and she is here to stay.

The Grammys can be viewed on CBS or Paramount+ on Sunday, February 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern time.