Rosé, Bruno Mars lead wave of Asian representation at Grammy Awards 2026
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YOONCHAE Jeong, Megan Skiendiel, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Sophia Laforteza and Daniela Avanzini of KATSEYE.
Photograph courtesy of AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY IMAGES/AFP
When the Recording Academy released the full list of nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards, one trend stood out: Asian artistry is no longer on the periphery — it is shaping the global sound.
This year’s nominees and winners reflect how artists from Asia are redefining pop culture, pushing production boundaries and influencing what the world listens to.
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars: A cross-cultural moment
K-pop superstar Rosé (of BLACKPINK) and Bruno Mars earned major nominations for their retro-pop duet “APT.” The track was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Their collaboration — blending Seoul’s sleek pop styling and Bruno’s soulful retro flair — signals the borderless future of mainstream music.
The awards night, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, opened with an electrifying “APT.” performance by Rosé and Mars.
Rosé’s nominations also mark another milestone for Korean representation at the Grammys. A decade ago, K-pop’s presence on the US awards stage was rare — today, it is central.
KATSEYE and the global girl group shift
Six-member girl group KATSEYE earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their track “Gabriela.” Formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ The Debut: Dream Academy, the group represents the emerging model of truly global pop — trained in Seoul, polished in Los Angeles, and built for the world stage.
India’s classical legacy holds strong
In Best Global Music Performance, Indian sitarist Anoushka Shankar received a nomination for “Daybreak” featuring Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar. Meanwhile, Shakti — featuring vocalist Shankar Mahadevan — also scored a nod for “Shrini’s Dream (Live).”
Both works showcase the enduring influence of Indian classical music on contemporary global fusion.
Asia’s imprint runs across genres
Asian producers, engineers and creative directors have shaping credits in many of this year’s nominated albums and singles — a quiet but powerful reflection of how deeply Asia influences global sound.
