2025 has been quite the year for music fans. From Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s epic reigns atop the charts to acts like Tyler the Creator and The Weeknd returning with major releases, the music industry is striving, with plenty of options for everyone to enjoy. With the Grammy eligibility period officially over for 2025, we’re breaking down our picks for what may be the big contenders on music’s biggest night this year.
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Kendrick Lamar
Simply put, this is Kendrick Lamar’s year. Yes, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper took home Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Grammys. This year, his latest album, “GNX,” is eligible, and it seems all but certain that Lamar will pick up at least some nominations for the project, including “Album of the Year.”
SZA
SZA has also enjoyed a banner year. Not only has she toured alongside Lamar in what has been one of 2025’s biggest live music acts, but she finally returned with a deluxe edition of her Grammy-winning sophomore album, “SOS.” With hit songs like “30 for 30” and “BMF,” we’re sure the Grammys will want to give the R&B songstress some love.
Doechii
Doechii is still fresh off her major wins for Best New Artist and Best Rap Albums at the 2025 Grammys, but this year, her hit song “Anxiety” is eligible for nominations. It remains her highest charting song to date, so we’re sure we’ll be seeing some of Doechii this year as well.
Kehlani
Kehlani has scored her biggest hit yet with “Folded.” The R&B tune went viral on the internet immediately and has already become Kehlani’s highest-charting song ever after a decade into her career. The song is simple, moving, and addictive, and we absolutely expect to see it nominated this year.
Tyler the Creator
Tyler the Creator’s dropped not one, but two critically acclaimed albums during the latest Grammys eligibility window. “Chromakopia” from 2024 and “Don’t Tap the Glass” from 2025 were treats for fans and casual listeners alike, with the former appearing on multiple end-of-year lists.
Destin Conrad
A new R&B star has arrived. While Destin Conrad has been releasing music for quite some time and writing for artists like Kehlani, the singer-songwriter dropped his debut album “Love on Digital.” this year to critical acclaim. We know the Grammys love a shiny new toy and Conrad’s new project may just be flashy enough to get on their radar.
Jensen McCrae
While she’s not a major artist just yet, we’ve got our eye on Jensen McRae. The singer-songwriter just released her second studio album this year to rave reviews, and even wrote an original song for Spike Lee’s latest film “Highest 2 Lowest” starring Denzel Washington.
The Weeknd
The pop hitmaker returned this year with his most ambitious album yet. While The Weeknd has a rocky history with the Grammys (to say the least), he ended his Grammys boycott last year and returned to the stage, making way for a grand return in 2026.
Ravyn Lenae
While there famously was no unanimous song of the summer in 2025, if there was any one that truly could have been a contender, it was Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not.” The song made it all the way to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and we’re sure the Grammys will want to celebrate the rare hit this year.
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste also had a major release this year with his new album, “Big Money” featuring Andra Day, Randy Newman, and more. The esteemed musician has won Album of the Year before (he took home the coveted award in 2022), and the Grammys seem to really love him. We’re sure his latest release will appear somewhere on the Grammys nominations list.
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