WHAT IS IN THE GRAMMY?

By: SSEGAWA HUZAIRU IBRAHIM/ Sunday, 2nd August 2026

KAMPALA- Every year, the Grammy nominations drop, the internet catches fire, fandoms start writing essays disguised as tweets, and suddenly everyone has a degree in music criticism. It’s tradition at this point. I would have talked about every single category, but let’s be serious. My concern has always been where the bloodbath happens: Album of the Year and Record of the Year.

And this year? Oh, what is in the Grammy?

The competition is absolutely ridiculous. We have Bruno Mars with The Romantic, Olivia Rodrigo’s heartbreak masterpiece You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Taylor Swift’s theatrical phenomenon The Life of a Showgirl, Harry Styles dancing his way into the conversation with Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally, Ariana Grande’s delicate Petal, Olivia Dean’s warm and soulful The Art of Loving, Rosalía’s LUX, to Drake’s controversial three albums Ice man, habibiti and maid of honor… and honestly, the list goes on and on.

This was one of those years where artists collectively woke up and decided peace was overrated. I know you might ask yourself where are the pop boys on the list. That’s the a good question because everyone has been asking that question for the past years so the answer… remains with them. Now yes, every one of these albums deserves flowers. Every one of them has a case to make. But since this is my article and not the Recording Academy’s, I’m going to be biased.

Album of the Year should go to Olivia Rodrigo. Heavy on Olivia Rodrigo.

You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love isn’t just an album. It’s storytelling with melodies attached. The vocals? Incredible. The songwriting? Sharp enough to leave scars. The production? Rich without drowning the emotions. Every single song feels like you’re reading another chapter of the same novel. It never loses its identity while still giving every track its own personality. And yes thank you for putting those Conan gray vocals on Honeybee. Phenomenon. 

If not Olivia… then give it to Taylor Swift.

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: after everything that happened with The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift deserves at least one Grammy. Believe it or not, The Life of a Showgirl wasn’t just another pop album. It became a cultural event. People weren’t simply listening to it they were living inside it. It shifted conversations, inspired fashion, flooded timelines and reminded everyone why Taylor remains one of the defining songwriters of her generation. I mean have you listened to Elizabeth Taylor, opalite or cancelled!. If not you are missing out on a lot. 

Meanwhile, the Grammys will probably smile politely and somehow find a way to make everyone angry anyway.

Speaking of surprises, BTS reportedly won’t be submitting music for this year’s Grammys. That’s particularly interesting given that the Recording Academy has continued expanding recognition for more global music, including categories highlighting Asian artists and broader international excellence. It feels like the timing couldn’t be more ironic.

Now let’s move to Record of the Year.

For me?

It’s “Stupid Song” by Olivia Rodrigo.

No hesitation.

It’s clever, infectious, emotionally honest and impossible to forget after one listen. It has everything a Record of the Year winner should have.

But…

Let’s not act surprised if Bruno Mars walks away with the trophy instead.

The man and the Grammys have a relationship healthier than most marriages. Every time Bruno shows up with quality music or just the same music in a different suit, the Academy suddenly remembers how to clap. And to be fair, he usually earns it. Still… let me complain in peace.

While we’re handing out trophies, can we please talk about Sienna Spiro?

The Visitor deserves every bit of recognition it can get. It is beautifully crafted from beginning to end. Songs like Great Expectations showcase an artist with remarkable emotional depth, and it would be a shame if the album became one of those hidden gems people only appreciate years later.

And before I leave, there is absolutely no way I can ignore RAYE.

This Music May Contain Hope.

What an album.

Am sure somewhere you’ve heard ” Where the hell is my husband ?”. As fans we are yet to sing where the hell is my Grammy. 

From the humour of asking, “Where Is My Husband?” to the breathtaking melodies and brutally honest songwriting that follow, RAYE reminds us why she has become one of the most respected voices in modern music. She needs a Grammy.

Actually… I think everyone needs a Grammy.

But are they all worth it?

That’s the impossible question the Academy has to answer every year.

Of course, Beyoncé would have probably been somewhere in this conversation too. But Queen Bey decided not to bless us with news of Act III instead and then left us waiting. We heard you, Queen Bee. Now we’ll patiently …well, impatiently wait for what’s next.

I know I said it won’t be my business to speak about other categories but I just had to say Slayyter… let them… let them give you that Grammy because we wouldn’t have danced without you. Thank you for the song of the summer. I know many of you would disagree but Dance by slayyter was definitely in your heads.

Until those nominations arrive, debates will continue, group chats will collapse, stan accounts will prepare twenty-page investigations, and someone will inevitably accuse the Grammys of ruining music forever.

As for me?

I’m walking into Grammy season wearing my bias proudly.

Team Olivia Rodrigo first.

Team Taylor Swift immediately after.

And yes, Team Ariana Grande always has a reserved seat at my table.

Recording Academy… the ball is in your court.

Please don’t make us ask, “What in the Grammy?” one more time.

Story by: SSEGAWA HUZAIRU IBRAHIM (ibrasegawa0@gmail.com)