The Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards on November 7, 2025, and the list is already stirring debate over some major omissions. Despite ending his public boycott of the awards, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) received no nominations at all for his successful album Genesis. Another surprise was the exclusion of social media musician Alex Warren, whose viral hit Ordinary was completely overlooked by voters.
Key Takeaways
- The 68th Grammy Award nominations were announced on Friday.
- The Weeknd was shut out entirely, receiving no nominations for his album Genesis.
- This snub comes after The Weeknd ended his 2020 boycott and submitted his music for consideration.
- Alex Warren’s popular song Ordinary also failed to secure any nominations.
- Major artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar collected multiple nominations.
The complete omission of The Weeknd is perhaps the most talked-about part of the nominations. The Canadian superstar, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, had previously boycotted the Grammys after his 2020 album After Hours, which included the global hit Blinding Lights, was snubbed entirely. At the time, Tesfaye called the Grammy voting process “corrupt,” citing the use of “secret committees” that determined final nominees behind closed doors.
This year, Tesfaye decided to end his boycott and submitted Genesis for consideration, which makes this year’s shutout even more striking. The album was both a commercial success and widely praised by critics, leaving many in the industry puzzled by the lack of recognition. Even though the Recording Academy officially removed the “secret committees,” it seems the new system hasn’t changed much in Tesfaye’s favor.
Attention also turned toward the pop and Best New Artist categories. Alex Warren, who first gained fame on TikTok and YouTube, made his formal debut as a musician this year. His song Ordinary became a major streaming hit, connecting with listeners through its emotional tone and relatable lyrics. Many fans and critics expected to see it up for Song of the Year or Best Pop Solo Performance or at least earn Warren a Best New Artist nomination.
The Recording Academy, however, passed him over entirely. It’s hard not to see this as another sign of the ongoing gap between online success and traditional industry recognition.
The snubs didn’t stop there. The competition this year was especially tight, with Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Taylor Swift dominating the major categories like Album, Record, and Song of the Year. Their strong showing left little space for other artists. Charli XCX, for instance, whose dance album received glowing reviews, was surprisingly absent from the main electronic and dance categories.
Reactions online were swift and intense. Fans of The Weeknd quickly revived conversations about how the Academy votes and whether the Grammys still reflect what modern listeners actually value.
The 68th Grammy Awards ceremony is set for February 2026, but the discussion over who got left out has already begun to overshadow the celebration itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Why was The Weeknd snubbed by the Grammys again?
A. The Weeknd received zero nominations for his album “Genesis.” The exact reason is unknown as it is based on votes from the Recording Academy members. This snub is notable because he recently ended his boycott of the awards, which he started when his 2020 album “After Hours” was also snubbed.
Q. Did Alex Warren get any Grammy nominations for “Ordinary”?
A. No, Alex Warren did not receive any nominations for his viral song “Ordinary.” He was also not nominated for Best New Artist, which some experts had predicted.
Q. When are the 68th Grammy Awards?
A. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in February 2026. The nominations were announced on November 7, 2025.
Q. Who got the most Grammy nominations this year?
A. Major artists including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar dominated the nominations, securing multiple nods in the top categories.
