The Grammy nominations for 2026 were just announced and that has been on my mind a lot. Not just because of who was nominated, but because of what they represent. Every year, the Grammys offer a snapshot of where music is headed and a reminder of the artists and executives who continue to shape its future.
Looking at this year’s nominations, it’s hard not to notice how strong Sony Music Entertainment remains under Rob Stringer’s leadership. As I mentioned in the video, with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and Lady Gaga earning recognition, it’s clear that Sony continues to operate at the very center of global music culture. Rob has done an extraordinary job, and those artists are nothing short of remarkable.
Seeing those names took me back to my own time at Sony Music and to the early moments that stay with you forever in this business. I still remember walking through the door during my first week and seeing Beyoncé on screen for the first time. The video was “Crazy in Love” with Jay-Z—and it was breathtaking, just brilliantly produced, magnificently choreographed, and pure magic between Jay-Z and Beyonce. To this day, I think it stands as one of the greatest music videos ever made.
Beyoncé’s career since then has been nothing short of historic. Last year alone she earned 11 Grammy nominations, and over the course of her career she’s amassed close to 100 nominations—more than any artist in history. Watching that trajectory from the very beginning is one of those experiences you never forget.
What also comes rushing back are the quieter moments—the first listens before the world was paying attention. I think about going up to a small rehearsal room on the Upper West Side to hear a young Sarah Bareilles for the first time. Just her, a piano, and that gorgeous voice filling the room. Or encountering artists like John Legend and John Mayer when they were just breaking through, before they became the timeless figures they are today.
Those moments are why the Grammy conversation always feels personal to me. Behind every nomination is a long story of talent, persistence, risk, and timing. I was fortunate to witness so many of those beginnings up close, and it’s deeply heartening to see how those careers have evolved and endured.
The 2026 Grammys are a celebration of today’s excellence, but they’re also a reminder of how greatness builds over time. Watching these artists continue to grow, innovate, and inspire, year after year, is exactly why music still matters in most of our lives as much as it does.
— Andy Lack