Dare We Say All the 2026 Grammys Performers Are Already Legendary?

The two-time Grammy winner is returning to the stage this year, marking his first Grammys performance since 2020, where he played a medley of IGOR tracks. Tyler is contending for Album of the Year for his eighth album, Chromakopia, which is also up for Best Rap Album. Meanwhile, his ninth album, Don’t Tap the Glass, is up for Best Alternative Album.

Yep, Mother Monster is joining the lineup! 14-time Grammy winner Lady Gaga (who has already performed at the awards show more than half a dozen times!) is up for seven awards this year, three of which are in the major categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Pop Recording, and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Justin Bieber hasn’t hit the stage for a solo performance since his 2022 Justice World Tour (which ended up wrapping early after the singer was diagnosed with Type 2 Ramsay Hunt syndrome), so the fact that he’s performing at the 2026 Grammys is a pretty big deal. The “Daisies” artist is nominated for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best R&B Performance, and Best Pop Solo Performance at this year’s ceremony.

Sabrina Carpenter made her Grammy debut last year with her showgirl-inspired performance of her megahits, “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” and won big for her album Short n’ Sweet. Now, the “Manchild” singer’s album Man’s Best Friend is up for six awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Music Video—and she’s returning to the Grammys stage to celebrate.

Relive last year’s performance

Malice and Pusha T—aka Clipse—came back swinging with their last record, Let God Sort Em Out (which also made our list of 2025’s best albums). They’re up for five Grammys this year, including Album of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Album, and Best Music Video.

Multihyphenate and Grammy legend, Pharrell Williams, is taking the stage alongside Clipse, marking his first performance at the awards ceremony since he sang an orchestral rendition of “Happy” in 2015. The 13-time Grammy winner is also nominated for four awards this year: this year: Album of the Year (Let God Sort Em Out), Best Rap Performance ("Chains & Whips"), Best Rap Song ("The Birds Don't Sing"), and Best Music Film (Piece By Piece).

Olivia Dean’s sophomore album, The Art of Loving, has been on heavy rotation thanks to tracks like “Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall In Love).” The British It-girl is up for her first Grammy in the Best New Artist category at this year’s show.

Eyekons stay winning! After the major success of their latest EP, Beautiful Chaos, and a historic Lollapalooza set last summer, the “Gnarly” hitmakers have proven they’re more than worthy of Recording Academy recognition. Girl groups are so back, and it’s all thanks to these divas!

You may not know it, but Leon Thomas is the big, beautiful brain behind some of your favorite songs. He’s worked with artists like Ariana Grande, Drake, and SZA over the years—that’s why his Grammy nominations have been a long time coming. This year, his album, MUTT, landed him nods for Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song.

Pop Star Addison Rae is in full force, especially after receiving a Best New Artist nomination at the Grammys when she was surprisingly snubbed by the VMAs months prior. Let’s hope we get to hear “Diet Pepsi” on the Grammys stage!

Sombr had one hell of a year after three of his breakout hits—“12 to 12,” “back to friends,” and “undressed”—all made their way into the Billboard Hot 100. The breakthrough artist us up for Best New Artist at this year’s Grammys (which, humble brag, we predicted in his Seventeen cover story).

Despite facing some personal challenges, Lola Young still had a knockout year thanks to her viral hit, “Messy,” and third album, I’m Only Fucking Myself. The singer-songwriter is another Best New Artist nominee this year.

The Marías’ Submarine success is still going strong, especially after their stunning performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and All Things Go during last year’s festival circuit. The dreamy alternative band is also being recognized in the Best New Artist category this year.

We can’t deny that “Ordinary” is one of 2025’s biggest songs. It’s still sitting pretty in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 after spending 10 weeks at No. 1. Because of this, Alex Warren is joining his fellow former Hype House member, Addison Rae, as a Best New Artist nominee and Grammy performer.