IDOL Artists Pursue Grammy Awards 2026 Spotlight

The Grammy Awards offer an unparalleled platform to honor the outstanding artistry of nominees. These artists’ dedication, innovation, and remarkable talent position them firmly among this year’s music industry leaders, showcasing the very best of what the scene has to offer. Akira Kosemura, Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Ubisoft), Bruce Brubaker, Eric Bibb, Hayden Pedigo, Ibrahim Maalouf, La Femme, Lambrini Girls, Marshall Allen, Mega Ran, Photay, SKYZOO, Theo Croker, TOKiMONSTA, and Twin Shadow are submitting their work for consideration. Voting begins on October 3, so be sure to tune in!

Akira Kosemura, the acclaimed Japanese composer and pianist, is in the running for Grammy recognition with his latest works submitted across several major categories. His distinctive voice in contemporary music has made him a leading figure of modern composition. His artistry, rooted in minimalism and emotional depth, continues to earn international acclaim and places him among the notable contenders of this season’s awards.

Album of the Year – MIRAI
Best Global Music Performance – Autumn Moon
Song of the Year – Autumn Moon
Record of the Year – Autumn Moon
Best Music Video – Ongaku feat. Devendra Banhart

Ubisoft, which won the first-ever Grammy awarded to a video game score in 2023 for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, is submitting the Assassin’s Creed Shadows soundtrack for consideration this year. Composed by British duo The Flight, renowned for immersive scores on major titles, this new release showcases a richly cinematic sound world that underlines their craft and positions this soundtrack as a compelling entrant in the upcoming Grammy race.

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media – Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Bruce Brubaker, the acclaimed pianist known for his minimalist and avant-garde style, is honored to appear on the Grammy longlist ballot with Eno Piano 2. Released on the label InFiné, this album features his unique renditions of music composed by Brian Eno. Blending classical precision and modern experimentation, Brubaker’s work continues to captivate and innovate.

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album – Eno Piano 2
Best Arrangement, instrumental or A Capella ‘The Big Ship’

Eric Bibb, the renowned blues griot, is vying for a Grammy with his latest album In the Real World in the Best Traditional Blues Album category. He has received Grammy nominations for Shakin’ a Tailfeather in 1997, Migration Blues in 2017, and most recently for his 2023 album Ridin’. His soulful storytelling and masterful musicianship continue to captivate audiences worldwide, securing his place among this year’s top contenders.

Best Traditional Blues Album – In the Real World

Hayden Pedigo, the Texas-born guitarist and composer, is submitting his album I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away for consideration in the categories of Best Folk Album, Best Instrumental Composition, and Best American Roots Performance. Released on Mexican Summer, this intricately crafted record showcases Pedigo’s unique blend of Americana, psychedelic, and instrumental folk, highlighting his exceptional technical skill and innovative musical vision.

Best Folk Album – I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away
Best Instrumental Composition – I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away
Best American Roots Performance – I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away

Ibrahim Maalouf, already a two-time Grammy nominee, is submitting his latest album Trumpets of Michel-Ange for consideration in Best Global Music Album and other categories. Known for his innovative blend of jazz and Arabic influences, Maalouf captivates with his masterful trumpet work, rich compositions, and electrifying live performances. His virtuosic control over the four-valve trumpet allows him to navigate intricate jazz improvisation with expressive depth and dynamic energy.

Best Global Music Album – Trumpets of Michel-Ange
Best Global Music Performance – Timeless (feat. Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Nassim Maalouf & Nael Maalouf)
Best Jazz Performance – Capitals (feat. Trombone Shorty)
Best Instrumental Composition – Capitals (feat. Trombone Shorty)

La Femme is in the running for the Grammy Awards for the first time with Rock Machine, their most rock-oriented and ambitious album to date. Combining raw energy and unforgettable melodies, the album blends new wave, synthwave, and 80s/90s rock influences in a tribute to rock’n’roll’s timeless spirit. Entirely in English and inspired by extensive tours abroad, Rock Machine confirms La Femme as one of France’s most innovative bands, submitting for consideration in Best Alternative Album.

Best Alternative Album – Rock Machine

Lambrini Girls are submitting their debut album Who Let The Dogs Out, released on City Slang, for consideration in the Best Alternative Album category, along with their bold track ‘Cuntology 101’ for Best Alternative Music Performance. Known for their fierce punk energy and sharp social commentary, the Brighton-based duo channels raw emotion and unapologetic attitude, positioning themselves as one of the most exciting emerging acts in alternative music today.

Best Alternative Album – Who Let The Dogs Out
Best Alternative Music Performance – ‘Cuntology 101’

Marshall Allen is presenting his debut solo album New Dawn, released on Mexican Summer, for the Grammy voting process in the Best Alternative Jazz Album category. The album’s standout track, ‘New Dawn’ featuring Neneh Cherry, is also up for Best Jazz Performance. A legendary figure and longtime leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Allen brings a century of musical wisdom and cosmic creativity to this remarkable release, blending avant-garde jazz with deeply emotional and spiritual resonance.


Best Alternative Jazz Album – New Dawn
Best Jazz Performance – “New Dawn (feat. Neneh Cherry)”

Mega Ran is entering the Grammy voting with his second children’s album Buddy’s Magic Treehouse, released on Old Soul Music. Renowned for blending heartfelt storytelling with playful beats, this album captures young listeners’ imaginations. It also offers meaningful messages inspired by Mega Ran’s experiences as a father and educator, making it a standout in children’s music.

Best Children’s Music Album – Buddy’s Magic Treehouse

Photay’s album Windswept, nominated at the Libera Awards and submitted for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the Grammys 2026, is a testament to the artist’s forward-thinking production and imaginative sonic exploration. Released on Mexican Summer, the album blends immersive electronic soundscapes with intricate rhythms, solidifying Photay’s reputation for creative innovation and genre-defying artistry.

Best Dance/Electronic Album – Windswept by Photay

Skyzoo is putting forward his album Record Store Day, released on Old Soul Music, for the Grammy voting in the Best Hip Hop Recording category. Known for his sharp storytelling and layered lyricism, Skyzoo blends nostalgic beats with modern hip hop sensibilities. Record Store Day highlights his deep connection to the culture and solidifies his reputation as one of Brooklyn’s most compelling voices in hip-hop today.

Best HipHop Recording – Record Store Day

Theo Croker, Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, and producer, is entering the Grammy voting with his album Dream Manifest, released on Dom Recs. The record, blending jazz, neo-soul, hip-hop, and experimental sounds, is up for Best Alternative Jazz Album, while its standout track is also competing for Best Jazz Performance. With a rich musical heritage inspired by his grandfather Doc Cheatham and a visionary approach, Croker continues to push jazz forward with bold creativity and emotional depth.

Best Alternative Jazz Album – Dream Manifest
Best Album Cover – Dream Manifest
Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals – ‘One Pillow‘
Best Jazz Performance – ‘”64 joints‘
Best Instrumental Composition – ‘Prelude 3‘

TOKiMONSTA, who was nominated in 2019 for her album Lune Rouge, is entering the Grammy voting again with her latest album Eternal Reverie, released on Young Art Records. This genre-blending work is in contention for Best Electronic/Dance Album and several other categories. The album reflects TOKiMONSTA’s resilience and artistic evolution, blending ethereal beats, global influences, and soulful collaborations, making it a powerful statement in the electronic music scene.

Best Best Electronic/Dance Album – Eternal Reverie
Best Dance/Electronic Recording – ‘Enjoy Your Life‘
Best Best Remixed Recording – ‘Say Tell Me (Maya Jane Coles Remix)’
Best Dance Pop Recording – ‘Feel It (Ft. PARTYOF2)’
Best R&B Song – ‘Lucky U (ft. Gavin Turek)’

Twin Shadow is submitting his sixth studio album Georgie, released on Dom Recs, for consideration in Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals with the track ‘Headless Hero’. The album, deeply personal and stripped-down, is dedicated to his late father and showcases Twin Shadow’s unique blend of melodic expression and emotional storytelling. Known for resisting genre labels, Georgie highlights his artistic evolution through a rich mix of sounds and heartfelt lyrics.

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals – ‘Headless Hero‘