The nominations for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards were announced on Fri., Dec. 7 with contenders across 84 categories in 30 fields revealed. The big change this year is that in the General field (which contains the big four awards: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist), the number of nominees has increased from five to eight.
WHO IS NOMINATED?
Rapper Kendrick Lamar (eight nominations, for his work on the Black Panther soundtrack) and Drake (seven) led the field with the most nominations, while other multiple nominees include folk singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile (six), rappers Childish Gambino and Cardi B (five each), big-screen star Lady Gaga (five), and country performers Maren Morris (five) and Kacey Musgraves (four).
The nominations in the major categories are:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B; By The Way, I Forgive You by Brandi Carlile; Scorpion by Drake; H.E.R. by H.E.R.; Beerbongs & Bentleys by Post Malone; Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe; Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves and Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By by Various Artists.
SONG OF THE YEAR (awarded to songwriters)
“All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA; “Boo’d Up” by Ella Mai; “God’s Plan” by Drake; “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes; “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile; “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey; “Shallow” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper and “This Is America” by Childish Gambino.
RECORD OF THE YEAR (awarded to performers)
“I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin; “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile; “This Is America” by Childish Gambino; “God’s Plan” by Drake; “Shallow” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper; “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA; “Rockstar” by Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage and “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
BEST NEW ARTIST
Chloe x Halle; Luke Combs; Greta Van Fleet; H.E.R.; Dua Lipa; Margo Price; Bebe Rexha and Jorja Smith.
A full list of nominees can be found here.
WHO ISN’T NOMINATED?
Although not completely overlooked, some big-name artists aren’t as well represented as you might expect.
Beyoncé and Jay Z have more than 20 Grammys each, but their joint album Everything Is Love only gained a handful of nominations in minor categories. Kanye West and Justin Timberlake were also both nominated in smaller categories – and only one time each.
Ariana Grande was another act relegated to minor awards, with the singer receiving a couple of nominations. Meanwhile, despite there being more nominations in the Album of the Year category, Taylor Swift’s Reputation became her first album since 2010’s Speak Now not to be in the running for the night’s top prize. It is up for Best Pop Vocal Album instead.
WHEN ARE THE GRAMMYS HELD?
The ceremony will be held on Sun., Feb. 10, 2019 at Staples Center, Los Angeles, with announcements still to be made about hosts and performers.