India, Nov. 8 -- The Recording Academy released the 2026 Grammy nominations on Friday. It's a crowded field again, but one name sits slightly above the rest. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations, repeating what he did last year. Lady Gaga follows with seven. Both are back in the centre of the awards talk.

Lamar's GNX and Gaga's MAYHEM are included in the album of the year lineup for the February ceremony. Neither has won in the category before, even with several attempts behind them.

Industry watchers have placed Lamar slightly ahead. His nine nominations span album, record, and song categories, reflecting broad support among Recording Academy voters.

Billboard Awards editor Paul Grein said the momentum appears to favour Lamar, n...