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After several years of time away from his music career, Justin Bieber returned with little warning in mid-2025, dropping his album Swag nearly out of nowhere. The music industry and the Canadian pop star's millions of fans welcomed him back warmly, turning Swag into a critical and commercial success, while multiple singles soared on various Billboard charts.
Swag is currently nominated for both Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammys, and if the superstar can beat the competition in the pop-only field, he will end a historic losing streak and finally claim a trophy that has eluded him for a long time.
Swag Brings Justin Bieber Back to the Pop Album Field
Swag earned Bieber his fifth nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. That's one of the largest accumulations of nods, yet he has not won the prize yet.
Bieber was first included in this category back in 2011 with My World 2.0. More than half a decade later, Purpose was in the running, but it also didn't take home the honor. Bieber claimed back-to-back nods in the Best Pop Vocal Album category in 2021 and 2022 for Changes and Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), respectively.
Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo and Adele Beat Justin Bieber
More often than not, Best Pop Vocal Album is awarded to a solo female, and in each of the four ceremonies when Bieber has been up for the honor, the trophy has gone to one of the most successful women in the genre.
The first time around, Bieber lost to Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster EP. Purpose was beaten by Adele's 25, while Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia and Olivia Rodrigo's debut full-length Sour bested Changes and Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), respectively.
Justin Bieber's Unfortunate Grammy Record
Bieber holds the record for the most Best Pop Vocal Album nominations without a win. A handful of artists have earned one more nod - Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande are tied for this historic distinction with half a dozen chances to win apiece - and what differentiates them from Bieber is the fact that they've all come out on top. Clarkson and Swift are among three names that have taken home this Grammy more than once, in addition to Adele.
Swag's Competition for Best Pop Vocal Album
Yet again this year, Bieber faces tough competition for Best Pop Vocal Album, and his set does not appear to be the title worth betting on. Two of the other nominees, Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend and Lady Gaga's Mayhem, are also up for Album of the Year, in addition to Swag. Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus and I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part Two) by Teddy Swims round out the five nominees in what is often considered one of the most competitive fields at the award show. Many major outlets have predicted that Gaga will snag the prize for her return to dark dance-pop.
Swag's Singles Could Also Win Grammys
In addition to competing in two album categories, a pair of singles taken from Swag could also become Grammy winners next month. "Daisies" brings the superstar back to the Best Pop Solo Performance field, while "Yukon" is one of the nominated tracks in the Best R&B Performance rundown. Just like Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year, Bieber has found himself in the running for those Grammys in the past, but he's never won either of them.
Justin Bieber's 15-Year-Long Grammy History
Bieber scored his first Grammy nominations 15 years ago. In 2011, he was up for Best New Artist, while My World 2.0 brought him to Best Pop Vocal Album for the first time.
It wouldn't be until five years later that he scored his first piece of hardware, when "Where Are Ü Now?," a collaboration with the duo Jack Ü - composed of Diplo and Skrillex - took home Best Dance/Electronic Recording. Half a decade later, Bieber shocked many in the music industry by joining Dan + Shay in winning Best Country Duo Group Performance for the joint smash "10,000 Hours."
The winners of the 2026 Grammy Awards will be revealed live on CBS on February one.