Kanye West has already won 24 Grammy Awards, but the list of submissions he released ahead of the 2027 ceremony shows that he is still seeking recognition for his music across a range of genres and categories.
On October 13, Kanye announced on his Instagram Story that he had submitted the deluxe edition of his 12th studio album, ‘BULLY,’ and four of its tracks in a total of 11 categories. The list spans major general-field Grammy categories, rap and pop, album artwork and recording engineering.
Beyond the possibility of winning, what stands out about the submissions is the collaboration with artists from different musical backgrounds—and the way sounds Kanye has long used in his work coexist on a single album.
BULLY (DELUXE) — One Album, Four Categories
Released in March 2026, ‘BULLY’ blends elements that have played important roles throughout Kanye’s musical career, including soul samples, gospel, electronic beats and Auto-Tune. The deluxe edition, released on June 19 of the same year, features additional tracks and new collaborations.
The production’s distinctive sampling and emphasis on melody recall Kanye’s earlier music, but music outlets have been divided in their assessments. Some critics have said it repeats familiar sounds rather than trying something new.
The deluxe edition was submitted in four categories: ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Rap Album,’ ‘Best Album Cover’ and ‘Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.’ That puts not only the album’s musical quality but also its visual presentation and sound engineering up for consideration.
On the title track, ‘BULLY,’ CeeLo Green’s vocals meet Kanye’s production, making it a fitting introduction to the album.
FATHER — Where Kanye and Travis Scott Meet
Featuring Travis Scott, ‘FATHER’ combines a gospel atmosphere with weighty beats, showing the musical common ground between two artists who have collaborated for years.
Rap delivered over a sound with a religious atmosphere and forceful production make the track stand out among those on ‘BULLY.’ Its music video is set in a surreal church space that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
Kanye submitted the song in four categories—‘Record of the Year,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Best Rap Song’ and ‘Best Music Video’—making it the individual track entered in the most categories on his Grammy submission list.
I CAN'T WAIT — Soul Enriched by Lauryn Hill’s Voice
The artist to listen for on ‘I CAN'T WAIT’ is Ms. Lauryn Hill, a member of The Fugees whose 1998 solo album, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ broadened the boundaries between hip-hop and R&B.
The soul sensibility Kanye has long drawn on in his music meets Lauryn Hill’s voice, bringing the song’s melody into sharper focus. On the deluxe edition, the collaboration offers something different from the original tracks.
Submitted for ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance,’ the track showcases Kanye’s tendency to move between rap and singing.
ALL THE LOVE — A Funk Legacy Carried Through the Talk Box
André Troutman, who appears on ‘ALL THE LOVE,’ is a musician with a family connection to Roger Troutman of the legendary funk group Zapp. His signature is the talk box, which shapes an instrument’s sound using the player’s mouth.
The song’s retro synthesizers and electronic talk-box vocals carry traces of 1980s funk, while Kanye offers melody-driven production that reaches beyond rap.
‘ALL THE LOVE’ was submitted for ‘Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,’ showing the potential for Kanye’s music to be considered outside the rap genre on this list.
KING — Kanye’s Presence Without a Collaborator
The album’s opening track, ‘KING,’ puts Kanye’s own rapping front and center without a featured artist. Electronic sounds and forceful rhythms combine to announce the start of the album.
While the three songs discussed above broaden ‘BULLY’ through the musical styles of their collaborators, ‘KING’ draws attention to Kanye’s own voice and rap performance at its center.
Submitted for ‘Best Rap Performance,’ the song puts his individual rapping ability up for consideration at this year’s Grammys.
24 Grammys—and What Comes Next
Kanye West has not added another Grammy trophy since winning ‘Best Rap Song’ for ‘Jail’ and ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ for ‘Hurricane’ in 2022.
In 2025, ‘Carnival’ was nominated for ‘Best Rap Song,’ but Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ won. This time, Kanye has submitted the full album and four songs across a range of categories in hopes of returning to the Grammy stage.
The list released so far consists of submissions, not official nominations. Nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled to be announced on November 16, 2026, with the ceremony set for February 7, 2027.
Critical opinion on ‘BULLY’ remains divided, but the submissions show Kanye presenting his music in several forms rather than confining it to rap alone.
Which work will bring recognition next to an artist who has already won so many trophies? The answer now rests with the Grammy vote.
