Grammy Nominees: Listen on Hoopla Today

GNX Kendrick Lamar (9 nominations) 

Kendrick Lamar was the artist with the most Grammy nominations this year: nine. 

His album GNX was a surprise release—a West Coast hip-hop album with G-funk influences that serves as a bold follow-up to Mr. Morale. While not a strict concept album, it delves into legacy, identity, and industry struggles, featuring raw production, recurring vocals from Deyra Barrera, and a mix of lyrical depth with modern, soulful beats.

MAYHEM Lady Gaga (7 nominations) 

Lady Gaga was the second-most Grammy-nominated artist in 2025 with seven. 

Mayhem is a genre-blending journey exploring personal chaos, love, and the contrasts between her public and private self. Influenced by introspection and challenges, it fuses industrial, funk, disco, and pop—sometimes within a single track—drawing inspiration from David Bowie and Prince. 

Man’s Best Friend Sabrina Carpenter  

Carpenter’s seventh album explores the ups and downs of relationships, featuring witty, provocative lyrics and nostalgic production inspired by ABBA and Prince. Largely produced by Jack Antonoff, the album traces love, heartbreak, and self-worth, culminating in acceptance of a breakup on the closing track, “Goodbye.” 

SWAG Justin Bieber 

Bieber’s surprise album, released in July 2025, is a 21-track project exploring marriage, fame, and fatherhood through R&B, ’80s-inspired synths, and indie rock. Featuring collaborations with Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Cash Cobain, as well as spoken-word “therapy sessions” with Druski, the album showcases Bieber’s vulnerability and confidence, offering a more personal, free-spirited sound. 

MUTT Leon Thomas 

Mutt is both a song and an album by Leon Thomas, with the title track as its lead single. Both the song and album explore themes of modern dating, love, and vulnerability, using the “mutt” metaphor to reflect the messy and imperfect yet sincere nature of relationships and the journey of personal growth. Thomas got his start as a child actor on Broadway, appearing in The Lion King and The Color Purple. He later starred as Andre Harris in the Nickelodeon series Victorious. He’s a prolific songwriter, too, for the likes of Ariana Grande and SZA. With that résumé, it was only a matter of time before he earned a Grammy nomination!

I’m Only F**king Myself Lola Young  

The title song and the full album offer a raw, autobiographical look at self-sabotage, addiction, pain, and the challenging, non-linear path toward self-love and recovery. The track stands as a candid acknowledgment of personal failures and the ongoing struggle to overcome destructive patterns. 

You’ll Be Alright, Kid Alex Warren  

The album blends heartfelt, folk-pop-inspired songs reflecting on his past, with several tracks achieving notable popularity and featuring guest appearances from artists such as Jelly Roll and Rosé.

I Barely Know Her Sombr 

Written entirely by the artist, this pop and indie rock album explores heartbreak, longing, and life in New York City. Tracks like “Back to Friends” and “12 to 12” highlight Sombr’s melodic hooks and emotional, melancholic lyrics. 

The Art of Loving Olivia Dean 

The album is a soulful exploration of romantic and platonic love, portraying it as a skill to be cultivated rather than a fantasy. Blending soul, pop, and orchestral elements, its songs range from upbeat affirmations of self-worth to vulnerable expressions of heartbreak, emphasizing emotional maturity, the value of friendships, and finding inner strength and peace. 

The Making of Five Leaves Left Nick Drake

Nick Drake has finally received long-overdue recognition with a surprise Grammy nomination for Best Historical Album. The Making of Five Leaves Left celebrates his enduring artistry and offers a deeper look into the creation of his iconic debut. You can explore the nominated album right now on Hoopla.

You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli

Written by Parisa Rose and narrated by Fab Morvan

Fab Morvan is nominated for best audiobook, narration, and storytelling recording for You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli (written by Parisa Rose). Morvan is one-half of the disgraced pop duo, whose 1990 Best New Artist Grammy was revoked when it came to light that the two were not actually Milli Vanilli’s singers. Morvan is for sure the voice behind this fascinating audiobook, and he’s up against cultural heavyweights including the Dalai Lama and US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.