FLO, Ravyn Lenae & Durand Bernarr: Who’s Getting Nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 2026 Grammys?
Categoria: Musica
The field may not be as wide open as it appears.
Por Billboard | 12/11/2026
Best progressive R&B album is always a fun category to watch, and some of this year’s biggest presumed contenders aren’t even in the running. Related Ravyn Lenae Re-Emerges to Talk ‘Blue Island’ Fallout, Tour Postponement & Grammys: ‘I Care If People Understand Me’ Durand Bernarr Cranks Up the Funk on Star-Studded ‘BERNARR.’ LP: ‘When Our Ancestors Did That Lean, They Meant Business!’ With Her ‘Serial Romantic’ Debut LP, Jai’Len Josey Wants to Wake Up R&B With Detroit Ghettotech Steve Lacy ( Oh Yeah? ) and Erykah Badu & The Alchemist ( Before the Wind Blows? ) were widely expected to compete in this category with their respective albums, but both opted to enter their projects in best alternative music album. That opens up two spots in best progressive R&B album, which already boasts a dizzying lineup of formidable competition. Which artists are closest to a lock for a nomination? Durand Bernarr , FLO and Leon Thomas . After taking home the trophy for BLOOM at the 2026 ceremony, Bernarr is the defending champion in this category. He dropped BERNARR . on the heels of that win, delivering more breathtaking vocal performances that helped anchor his supporting set on Kehlani’s ongoing world tour . British girl group FLO earned its first Grammy nod in this category last year for Access All Areas , and will likely be back with Therapy at the Club , which reached No. 22 on Top R&B Albums. Finally, Thomas scored two Grammys earlier this year for MUTT , including best R&B album, so it’s not a stretch to expect him to snag a nod in this category for his PHOLKS EP. That leaves a smorgasbord of additional artists to sift through. Thundercat won this category in 2021 for It Is What Is , and is back in contention with Distracted ; Jessie Reyez earned a nod here in 2020 for Being Human In Public , and could get another for A Little Vengeance . Chloe x Halle earned two nominations in this category as a duo, and both sisters are competing with solo entries this year. Halle submitted her debut solo album, Love?… or Something Like It , while Chlöe entered her Timbaland-assisted Resurrection mixtape in best R&B album. Moonchild ( Waves ) and Tank and the Bangas ( The Last Balloon ) both earned best progressive R&B album nominations in 2023, and both groups could add to those tallies with their respective entries. 6LACK, a two-time nominee here, also has a strong submission with Love Is the New Gangsta . Several Grammy-nominated artists are seeking their first bid in this particular category. Daniel Caesar, who won best R&B performance for “Best Part” (with H.E.R.) in 2019, entered Son of Spergy , which marked his third consecutive Billboard 200 top 10 album (No. 6) and first R&B Albums chart-topper. Notably, Spergy also netted Caesar his first solo Billboard Hot 100 hit with “Who Knows” (No. 52). Brent Faiyaz earned a best rap/sung performance nod for his featured tu