Last year at this time, fans were excited that the 2025 Grammys looked to be a real horse race, with super-divas Beyoncé, Billie Eilish , Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan all destined to compete in the top categories. But what a difference a year makes: After such a blockbuster-packed slate, it’s not surprising that the 2026 Grammys will not have that kind of competitive heat.

But although the months between September 2024 and August 2025 may have been light on the kind of superstar releases that seem preordained for Grammy sweeps, plenty of other contenders have emerged — and in such circumstances, obvious choices are in short supply.

If it’s a clear and present front-runner you want, there’s really only one: Kendrick Lamar . That would be a more exciting development if he hadn’t do

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