Key Highlights
- Sabrina Carpenter has matched a rare record set by Taylor Swift with her second consecutive Album of the Year nomination.
- Carpenter’s album “Man’s Best Friend” secured nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the hit ‘Manchild’.
- Island Records, her label, had a stellar year with six ‘Big Four’ nominations and two Best New Artist nods.
- Interscope Records led all labels with eight nominations in the ‘Big Four’ categories, including nods for Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga.
The Year of Sabrina Carpenter: Dominance at the Grammys
Sabrina Carpenter is making waves in the music industry with her second consecutive nomination for Album of the Year. The 2026 Grammy nominations, announced on Friday, November 7th, saw Carpenter join a select group of artists who have achieved this feat twice since the category expanded to eight nominees in 2019.
Carpenter’s album “Man’s Best Friend” not only secured her Album of the Year nomination but also earned nods for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the hit single ‘Manchild’. This success places Carpenter among the elite, as she now shares this honor with Taylor Swift, who has achieved the same milestone twice.
Island Records’ Stellar Performance
Carpenter’s achievements are all the more impressive given her label, Island Records. The label had a fantastic year, securing the second-highest number of ‘Big Four’ nominations with a total of six. This includes nods for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Carpenter herself, as well as two Best New Artist nominations for Olivia Dean and Lola Young.
Island Records is part of the larger REPUBLIC Collective, which also includes Republic Records and Def Jam.
As a whole, the collective scored eight nominations, highlighting their significant impact in the music industry. Notable nods include a Song of the Year nod for ‘Golden’ from the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack and an Album of the Year nomination for Justin Bieber’s SWAG.
Interscope Records Dominates Again
The day’s biggest winner was Interscope Records, which led all labels with eight nominations in the ‘Big Four’ categories. This marks the fifth time in the last eight years that Interscope has been at the top of the Grammy nomination list. The label’s powerhouse lineup includes Billie Eilish (Record, Song), Kendrick Lamar (Record, Song, Album), and Lady Gaga (Record, Song, Album).
Interscope Capitol, which includes Capitol Records (two nominations for Doechii) and Motown (two nominations for Leon Thomas), as well as the HYBE/Geffen partnership (one nomination for KATSEYE), collectively landed a total of 13 nominations in the ‘Big Four.’ This dominance gave parent company Universal Music Group (UMG) an impressive 21 out of 32 slots in the main categories.
Other major labels also had significant showings, with Warner Music Group earning five nods and indies garnering four. Sony Music received two nominations, bringing the total number of ‘Big Four’ nominations to eight across all labels.
Notable Nominations
Beyond Carpenter and Interscope Records, several other artists also received notable nominations. Bad Bunny’s album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” and its title track ‘DtMF’ earned nods for Album, Song, and Record of the Year. ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, both under Atlantic Records, scored nominations for Song and Record of the Year with their hit ‘APT.’.
Tyler, The Creator received an Album of the Year nomination for “CHROMAKOPIA,” while Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out” earned a surprise Album of the Year nod.
The Grammys continue to be a crucial event in the music industry, showcasing not only individual artist success but also the impact of labels and collective efforts. As we look ahead, these nominations set the stage for an exciting year filled with awards, celebrations, and new music from some of the most talented artists in the world.
