The 2026 Grammy Awards are already stirring up buzz, and Gold Derby just dropped its early predictions for one of the most bombastic categories: Best Dance-Pop Recording. The category was launched in 2024 to honor “tracks and singles that feature up-tempo, danceable music that follows a pop arrangement.” The award goes to the artists, mixers, and producers of the song, and its latest recipient is Charli XCX, thanks to her track “Von Dutch.”
Now, with the Grammy nominations coming in November 2025, we’re ready to take a look at the dance-pop tunes that defined year, and let’s just say the predictions are looking pretty stacked! Let’s break down the songs that Gold Derby believes could dominate the dance-pop category next year.
Here are the six predicted nominees:
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra:” Mother Monster’s back with a haunting blend of electro-pop and theatrical flair. “Abracadabra” feels like a return to her Born This Way era with a fresh, current twist.
- Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (from F1: The Movie):” Tate serves cinematic adrenaline and sticky beats in the same tracks. The song’s mix of fast-paced tempo and pop defiance mirrors the thrill of the Formula 1 movie itself.
- PinkPantheress – “Illegal: ”A dreamy, dance-pop track that blurs the lines between Y2K pop and lo-fi. It’s effortlessly cool, and it has had a mega viral moment on TikTok this year.
- Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys:” Tinashe’s badass attitude meets a club-ready remix made by Disco Lines. And while the original version is great, this revisit adds an extra sparkle that’s making fans dance.
- Zara Larsson – “Midnight Sun:” A luminous pop anthem filled with synth sparkle and flirty lyrics. Zara shines brighter than ever with this summer-ready hit.
- BLACKPINK – “JUMP:” The K-pop queens crash into the list with a fierce dance-pop banger packed with attitude, and that signature BLACKPINK punch.
