Is Kendrick Lamar’s 'GNX' Eligible for Grammy Awards in 2026? Is He Really the Favorite?

Published 09/16/2025, 1:06 AM EDT

Kendrick Lamar, the poetic overlord of West Coast bars and cultural commentary, dropped another album that makes mere mortals question their entire Spotify library. 'GNX' slid into the world like a mic-drop in slow motion, leaving fans, critics, and casual listeners scrambling for adjectives. Streaming platforms buzzed, social media combusted, and award pundits sharpened their pencils. The lingering question, pulsing like a bassline in a Lamar track: Is this Grammy gold or just hype in platinum packaging?

Some call it artistry, others call it a flex. While the debate rages, the stage is set for a Grammy showdown that feels inevitable.

GNX sparks buzz in Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy circle

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Yes, Kendrick Lamar’s album GNX is not only eligible for the 2026 Grammy Awards, but it is also widely considered the overwhelming favorite for Album of the Year. The surprise release on November 22, 2024, conveniently placed it outside the 2025 window, making it ripe for Grammy glory. With the momentum of his 2024 rap feud triumph and 2025’s Record of the Year win for 'Not Like Us,' the industry buzz is practically screaming, lock it in.

While Kendrick Lamar dominates early buzz, some corners of the hip-hop universe argue Clipse’s reunion project, 'Let God Sort Em Out,' deserves the spotlight. Dropping in July 2025 after 15 years, Pharrell Williams-produced tracks paired with Pusha T and No Malice’s razor-sharp lyricism felt like a masterclass in fundamentals. For purists, Lamar’s 'GNX' is impact over depth, a victory lap of sorts, while Clipse quietly reminds everyone what technical brilliance and lyrical devotion actually look like.

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Numbers never lie, or so the Billboard charts say. As purists debate craft, 'GNX' commercial juggernaut quietly sets a record-breaking stage that might make everyone else irrelevant.

Kendrick Lamar’s GNX has Grammy buzz and record-breaking stats

Beyond debates, the stats for 'GNX' are absurdly impressive. Every single one of its 12 tracks, including the SZA-assisted 'Luther,' debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. Three consecutive weeks on the chart for all songs is unheard of in rap history. Its reign atop the Billboard 200 and Top Rap Albums chart solidifies the album as a commercial juggernaut. Numbers, after all, have a loud voice, and 'GNX' is shouting.

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The 'GNX' craze has spread beyond hip-hop circles, infiltrating Hollywood playlists and professional sports arenas alike. Featuring West Coast rising stars like Dody6, Lefty Gunplay, and AzChike, the album’s magnetism overshadows them all. With critical acclaim and Grammy-friendly momentum, Kendrick Lamar is perfectly poised to not just snag a nomination, but potentially clutch the night’s most coveted award, rewriting rap’s narrative in the process.

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What are your thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s 'GNX' and its Grammy potential? Do you see it as an inevitable triumph or just hype with chart stats? Let us know in the comments below.

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Shraddha

963 articles

Shraddha is a content chameleon with 3 years of experience, expertly juggling entertainment and non-entertainment writing, from scriptwriting to reporting. Having a portfolio of over 2,000 articles, she has covered everything from Hollywood’s glitzy drama to the latest pop culture trends. With a knack for telling stories that keep readers hooked, Shraddha thrives on dissecting celebrity scandals and cultural moments.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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