Best Rap Album

Similar to last year, in which Clipse, J.I.D and Kendrick Lamar explored mature themes in their bars, MCs this year have been flexing their pens, a refreshing reminder that rap at its root is an enduring craft.

Nestled at the top of the contenders’ list is A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb (A$AP Worldwide/RCA), his first album since 2018’s Testing. The 15-track set bulldozed through any creative barricades with an eclectic roster of characters that included Danny Elfman, Thundercat, BossMan Dlow, Hit-Boy, Brent Faiyaz, Gorillaz, Doechii, Westside Gunn and will.i.am. With more than 123k opening-week units, Don’t Be Dumb earned Rocky his third #1 and displayed a musical range atypical of the A$AP Mob alum.

Don Toliver dropped his monster of an album at the top of the year, OCTANE (Cactus Jack/Atlantic), which earned him his first #1, led to a sold-out tour, an appearance on The Tonight Show, a VMA nom for “E85” and, more than likely, a Best Rap Album look.

Rod Wave’s Don’t Look Down (Alamo), released on Aug. 28, the last day of the Grammy eligibility period, debuted at #1 with more than 100k units. His ongoing tour in support of the record has only bolstered its visibility.

French Montana’s Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos (Coke Boy Records) elated rap connoisseurs when it dropped in January. Montana’s longtime collaborator and fellow Coke Boy Max B had been released from prison a mere two months prior after serving 16 years, further reinforcing a creative partnership that began in 2009. Production credits included Metro Boomin, Harry Fraud, Dame Grease, Murda Beatz and DJ Clue, along with a posthumous verse from Chinx.

Lyrically, Isaiah Rashad’s It’s Been Awful (TDE/Warner) put rap fans to the test. Colorful—and, at times, almost too real—anecdotes about his childhood, personal trauma, substance abuse and public scrutiny over his sexuality were laid out over muted, lo-fi Southern rap and neo-soul textures enveloped by melancholic production.

T.I., too, got in his grown man rap bag to deliver Kill the King (Grand Hustle/EMPIRE), his self-proclaimed “formal exit” from rap. The 18-track effort is Tip at his best.

Cardi B’s Am I the Drama? (Atlantic), which bowed at #1 with more than 200k units and was later deemed triple platinum, confirmed that she’s more than a one-album wonder. “Okurrrr!”

Wildcards include Tierra Whack’s Whack Museum (Interscope), De La Soul’s Cabin in the Sky (Mass Appeal), Rapsody’s God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops (Roc Nation), Vince Staples’ Cry Baby (Loma Vista Recordings), Wale’s Everything Is a Lot (Def Jam) and Baby Keem’s Ca$ino (pgLang/Columbia), all worthy candidates.

Best Rap Performance

In another packed category, Rocky’s “Helicopter,” T.I.’s “Let ’Em Know” and Toliver’s “E85” and/or “Body” are easy ins, but the possibilities feel endless. Wale’s “Power and Problems,” J.I.D’s “sk8” with Ciara & EARTHGANG (Dreamville/Interscope), DaBaby’s “POP DAT THING” (SCMG/Interscope) and Skilla Baby’s “Respect My Gangsta” f/Nas (Geffen) all made noise.

The video for French Montana & Max B’s “Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf)” racked up more than 26m YouTube views, and the sample of KC & the Sunshine Band’s “That’s the Way (I Like It)” increased the track’s crossover appeal.

Best Rap Song

This category could have us seeing double. T.I.’s “Let ’Em Know,” Rocky’s “Helicopter,” Toliver’s “E85” and/or “Body” and French Montana & Max B’s “Ever Since U Left Me” are certainly contenders.

Lil Uzi Vert saw platinum after dropping “What You Saying” (Core/Roc Nation) in December 2025. With more than 272m Spotify streams and 35m YouTube views, the Jersey club-inspired track illustrated Uzi’s immense staying power.

Moneybagg Yo’s “I See Why” (CMG/N-Less/Interscope), Wale’s “Belly,” Dave’s “Raindance” (Capitol), Lil Baby’s “Dead Fresh” (Motown), NBA YoungBoy’s “Bruce Wayne” (Motown) and Baby Keem’s “Good Flirts” f/Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd could get thrown in the mix too. But will Cardi B’s “Pretty & Petty” or “ErrTime,” Doja Cat’s “Ahh Men” (RCA), Whack’s “Wax Paper” or Doechii’s “girl, get up.” f/SZA (TDE/Capitol) give the boys club a run for its money? We wouldn’t be surprised—at all.

Best Melodic Rap Performance

This category will have some stiff competition too. Cardi B’s “Safe” f/Kehlani, Doechii’s “girl, get up.” and Skilla Baby’s “Face Card” f/Bryson Tiller and Chris Brown could face off against Wale’s “Watching Us” f/Leon Thomas, Yeat’s “Back Home” f/Joji (Capitol), Swae Lee’s “Suitcase” f/French Montana, Summer Walker’s “Go Girl” f/Latto and Doja Cat (LVRN/Interscope), French Montana & Max B’s “MAWA” or Ken Carson’s “ghost” f/Lil Uzi Vert.

Much like the Best Melodic Rap nominees last year, which included Kendrick Lamar’s “luther” f/SZA and Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon’s “WeMaj” f/Rapsody, the diversity of the likely contenders is vast. Baby Keem’s “Birds & the Bees,” Monaleo’s “Everythang Pinka” f/Teezo Touchdown (Columbia), Justin Bieber’s “Poppin My Shit” f/Hurricane Chris (Def Jam) and Ludacris’ “Pullover” (Def Jam) represent the new and seasoned generations, proving there’s a lane for both.

Will Grammy see fit to spread the love around? Stay tuned.