"As one anonymous voter - who's in their second year as a member of the Recording Academy - puts it,it's fueled by the inevitable evolution of how music is being discovered and consumed, which often takes the form of video crudité. "There are two sides," the voter explains. "We're looking at the 'virality artists' who are intentionally creating TikTok hits, making songs to go viral, and are very catchy with the algorithm and meant for that type of platform. The 15-second hooks, if you will.""
"The opposing side upholds a weightier industry standard, at least for this voter. "We have artists creating complex narratives, like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish, who are doubling down on musicianship and legacy," they say. "That's the overall theme this year, and I strongly leaned in to the legacy side." Lamar, who leads the 2026 Grammy-nominations list with nine noms, is closely followed by Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Clipse, and Lady Gaga, all of whom hope to take home some brass and triumph like Steely Dan did in 2001."
Grammy voting reflects a divide between artists engineered for short-form video virality and artists focused on musicianship and long-term legacy. Short-form platforms reward concise, catchy hooks designed to perform with algorithms and TikTok trends. Other artists prioritize complex narratives, intricate production, and sustained artistic statements. Kendrick Lamar leads nominations with nine, followed by Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Clipse, and Lady Gaga. Televised categories attract the most attention and speculation from voters. Some voters report growing jadedness, while others retain a romantic attachment to the awards and legacy-driven selections.
Read at Vulture
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