The GRAMMYs
2026
Dec 1st, 2025
Best Progressive R&B Album
Best Progressive R&B Album
Best Progressive R&B Album
Nominees for The GRAMMY Awards
2026
Previous Winner
So Glad to Know You (Avery Sunshine); Why Lawd? (NxWorries)
Criteria
Albums with >75% playing time of new progressive R&B recordings.
Albums with >75% playing time of new progressive R&B recordings.
Albums with >75% playing time of new progressive R&B recordings.
The nominees for The GRAMMYs Best Progressive R&B Album 2026 are BLOOM (Durand Bernarr), Adjust Brightness (Bilal), LOVE ON DIGITAL (Destin Conrad), Access All Areas (FLO), Come As You Are (Terrace Martin, Kenyon Dixon).
Read on for more information about all the nominees and their contributors..
Best Progressive R&B Album
Access All Areas
British R&B trio FLO's debut full-length project, Access All Areas, pays tribute to 90s/2000s R&B girl groups like Destiny's Child and TLC, and features artists GloRilla, Chlöe and Halle & Cynthia Erivo.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 163 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It debuted at No. 3 on the Official UK Albums Chart, selling 9,500 album-equivalent units in its first week.
'Access All Areas' earned ~2M streams on Spotify in its first full day of release.
Cultural impact
FLO launched their first major headlining world tour, the Access All Areas Tour, with 38 dates across North America and Europe.
The group performed their single "AAA" live on The Graham Norton Show, marking a high-profile UK television appearance.
FLO appeared at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2025, further cementing their presence at major UK music events.
Critical response
Pitchfork praised the album as "a confident vision of what a modern girl group can be: tender, headstrong, and unified, with a clear point of view about resisting the urge to be jaded by the industry, relationships, and themselves." Read full review
Rolling Stone highlighted FLO's "vocal prowess present across the 16-track record" and noted that "their perpetual growth is evident" and that "FLO are the most in sync they’ve ever been on 'On & On,' the sultry deep cut with R&B classic potential." Read full review
The Guardian described the album as "a solid start" and noted that while the songs are "punchy and well written," the project "demonstrates why Flo haven’t quite exploded" yet, calling it "a stop on a journey rather than an end in itself." Read full review
Access All Areas
British R&B trio FLO's debut full-length project, Access All Areas, pays tribute to 90s/2000s R&B girl groups like Destiny's Child and TLC, and features artists GloRilla, Chlöe and Halle & Cynthia Erivo.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 163 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It debuted at No. 3 on the Official UK Albums Chart, selling 9,500 album-equivalent units in its first week.
'Access All Areas' earned ~2M streams on Spotify in its first full day of release.
Cultural impact
FLO launched their first major headlining world tour, the Access All Areas Tour, with 38 dates across North America and Europe.
The group performed their single "AAA" live on The Graham Norton Show, marking a high-profile UK television appearance.
FLO appeared at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2025, further cementing their presence at major UK music events.
Critical response
Pitchfork praised the album as "a confident vision of what a modern girl group can be: tender, headstrong, and unified, with a clear point of view about resisting the urge to be jaded by the industry, relationships, and themselves." Read full review
Rolling Stone highlighted FLO's "vocal prowess present across the 16-track record" and noted that "their perpetual growth is evident" and that "FLO are the most in sync they’ve ever been on 'On & On,' the sultry deep cut with R&B classic potential." Read full review
The Guardian described the album as "a solid start" and noted that while the songs are "punchy and well written," the project "demonstrates why Flo haven’t quite exploded" yet, calling it "a stop on a journey rather than an end in itself." Read full review
Access All Areas
British R&B trio FLO's debut full-length project, Access All Areas, pays tribute to 90s/2000s R&B girl groups like Destiny's Child and TLC, and features artists GloRilla, Chlöe and Halle & Cynthia Erivo.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 163 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It debuted at No. 3 on the Official UK Albums Chart, selling 9,500 album-equivalent units in its first week.
'Access All Areas' earned ~2M streams on Spotify in its first full day of release.
Cultural impact
FLO launched their first major headlining world tour, the Access All Areas Tour, with 38 dates across North America and Europe.
The group performed their single "AAA" live on The Graham Norton Show, marking a high-profile UK television appearance.
FLO appeared at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2025, further cementing their presence at major UK music events.
Critical response
Pitchfork praised the album as "a confident vision of what a modern girl group can be: tender, headstrong, and unified, with a clear point of view about resisting the urge to be jaded by the industry, relationships, and themselves." Read full review
Rolling Stone highlighted FLO's "vocal prowess present across the 16-track record" and noted that "their perpetual growth is evident" and that "FLO are the most in sync they’ve ever been on 'On & On,' the sultry deep cut with R&B classic potential." Read full review
The Guardian described the album as "a solid start" and noted that while the songs are "punchy and well written," the project "demonstrates why Flo haven’t quite exploded" yet, calling it "a stop on a journey rather than an end in itself." Read full review
Adjust Brightness
GRAMMY Award-winning singer Bilal returns with Adjust Brightness, his first collection of new material in eight years, blending progressive R&B with experimental textures and immersive soundscapes.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 103 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It debuted at No. 17 on the Independent Albums Chart.
Adjust Brightness also debuted at No. 19 on the R&B Albums Chart.
Cultural impact
Adjust Brightness was ranked #4 on Vulture’s Best Albums of 2024.
Bilal embarked on a 16-date national tour in celebration of the album, with stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, and Atlanta.
Critical response
WRTI stated that on Adjust Brightness, Bilal explores a galactic sweep of sound, making genre distinctions feel irrelevant. Read full review
KNKX described Adjust Brightness as inhabiting a unique sonic niche, combining introspective lyrics, addictive instrumentation, and Bilal's voice, which bends and contorts. Read full review
Adjust Brightness
GRAMMY Award-winning singer Bilal returns with Adjust Brightness, his first collection of new material in eight years, blending progressive R&B with experimental textures and immersive soundscapes.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 103 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It debuted at No. 17 on the Independent Albums Chart.
Adjust Brightness also debuted at No. 19 on the R&B Albums Chart.
Cultural impact
Adjust Brightness was ranked #4 on Vulture’s Best Albums of 2024.
Bilal embarked on a 16-date national tour in celebration of the album, with stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, and Atlanta.
Critical response
WRTI stated that on Adjust Brightness, Bilal explores a galactic sweep of sound, making genre distinctions feel irrelevant. Read full review
KNKX described Adjust Brightness as inhabiting a unique sonic niche, combining introspective lyrics, addictive instrumentation, and Bilal's voice, which bends and contorts. Read full review
Adjust Brightness
GRAMMY Award-winning singer Bilal returns with Adjust Brightness, his first collection of new material in eight years, blending progressive R&B with experimental textures and immersive soundscapes.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 103 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It debuted at No. 17 on the Independent Albums Chart.
Adjust Brightness also debuted at No. 19 on the R&B Albums Chart.
Cultural impact
Adjust Brightness was ranked #4 on Vulture’s Best Albums of 2024.
Bilal embarked on a 16-date national tour in celebration of the album, with stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, and Atlanta.
Critical response
WRTI stated that on Adjust Brightness, Bilal explores a galactic sweep of sound, making genre distinctions feel irrelevant. Read full review
KNKX described Adjust Brightness as inhabiting a unique sonic niche, combining introspective lyrics, addictive instrumentation, and Bilal's voice, which bends and contorts. Read full review
Durand Bernarr's third album, BLOOM, is a genre-blending project that explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and community, featuring collaborations with T-Pain and R&B duo GAWD.
Commercial success
BLOOM amassed >4M streams on Spotify within its first months of release.
Tracks from BLOOM were featured on several major curated playlists across Apple Music and Spotify, increasing the album's exposure to a wider R&B audience.
Cultural impact
The album supported a 32-city international tour, "You Gon Grow, Too," spanning North America and Europe in 2025.
The album's collaborative process brought together a diverse group of artists and producers who expanded the album's musical palette.
Bernarr was honored as the “Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist” at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, underscoring his influence and visibility within both the R&B and LGBTQ+ communities.
Critical response
Rolling Stone praised BLOOM for "pull[ing] on Bernarr’s musical knowledge and appreciation of many genres, while still remaining unique and authentic to his own vocal style." Read full review
Billboard described the album as "a towering achievement... a kaleidoscopic look at the sanctity of friendship told through a fearless amalgam of genres ranging from rock and funk to gospel and dance." Read full review
Vibe called BLOOM "fearless and compelling—once again placing Durand on an untouchable pedestal" and highlighted its tribute to love and community. Read full review
Durand Bernarr's third album, BLOOM, is a genre-blending project that explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and community, featuring collaborations with T-Pain and R&B duo GAWD.
Commercial success
BLOOM amassed >4M streams on Spotify within its first months of release.
Tracks from BLOOM were featured on several major curated playlists across Apple Music and Spotify, increasing the album's exposure to a wider R&B audience.
Cultural impact
The album supported a 32-city international tour, "You Gon Grow, Too," spanning North America and Europe in 2025.
The album's collaborative process brought together a diverse group of artists and producers who expanded the album's musical palette.
Bernarr was honored as the “Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist” at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, underscoring his influence and visibility within both the R&B and LGBTQ+ communities.
Critical response
Rolling Stone praised BLOOM for "pull[ing] on Bernarr’s musical knowledge and appreciation of many genres, while still remaining unique and authentic to his own vocal style." Read full review
Billboard described the album as "a towering achievement... a kaleidoscopic look at the sanctity of friendship told through a fearless amalgam of genres ranging from rock and funk to gospel and dance." Read full review
Vibe called BLOOM "fearless and compelling—once again placing Durand on an untouchable pedestal" and highlighted its tribute to love and community. Read full review
Durand Bernarr's third album, BLOOM, is a genre-blending project that explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and community, featuring collaborations with T-Pain and R&B duo GAWD.
Commercial success
BLOOM amassed >4M streams on Spotify within its first months of release.
Tracks from BLOOM were featured on several major curated playlists across Apple Music and Spotify, increasing the album's exposure to a wider R&B audience.
Cultural impact
The album supported a 32-city international tour, "You Gon Grow, Too," spanning North America and Europe in 2025.
The album's collaborative process brought together a diverse group of artists and producers who expanded the album's musical palette.
Bernarr was honored as the “Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist” at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, underscoring his influence and visibility within both the R&B and LGBTQ+ communities.
Critical response
Rolling Stone praised BLOOM for "pull[ing] on Bernarr’s musical knowledge and appreciation of many genres, while still remaining unique and authentic to his own vocal style." Read full review
Billboard described the album as "a towering achievement... a kaleidoscopic look at the sanctity of friendship told through a fearless amalgam of genres ranging from rock and funk to gospel and dance." Read full review
Vibe called BLOOM "fearless and compelling—once again placing Durand on an untouchable pedestal" and highlighted its tribute to love and community. Read full review
Come As You Are
Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon's Come As You Are deeply draws from their South LA roots, infusing the album with a strong sense of place and authenticity. Its title carries a welcoming, church-inspired message of acceptance and realness.
Commercial success
Come As You Are debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 22 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, marking a top 10 entry for the project and a Billboard chart debut for Kenyon Dixon as a billed artist.
Cultural impact
The album is considered a cultural statement from two proud South LA natives, capturing the "spirit, the soul, the streets, the musicianship" of their upbringing.
Kenyon Dixon and Terrace Martin performed selections from the album at Blue Note Los Angeles in August 2025, bringing their collaborative vision to a live audience in their home city.
Critical response
The Los Angeles Times highlighted the project's sense of cohesion and authenticity, describing it as "a soulful diagram for South Central Los Angeles," and commending the chemistry between the two artists. Read full review
No qualifying reviews from other high trust outlets (Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Guardian, NPR Music, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Financial Times) were found at this time.
Come As You Are
Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon's Come As You Are deeply draws from their South LA roots, infusing the album with a strong sense of place and authenticity. Its title carries a welcoming, church-inspired message of acceptance and realness.
Commercial success
Come As You Are debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 22 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, marking a top 10 entry for the project and a Billboard chart debut for Kenyon Dixon as a billed artist.
Cultural impact
The album is considered a cultural statement from two proud South LA natives, capturing the "spirit, the soul, the streets, the musicianship" of their upbringing.
Kenyon Dixon and Terrace Martin performed selections from the album at Blue Note Los Angeles in August 2025, bringing their collaborative vision to a live audience in their home city.
Critical response
The Los Angeles Times highlighted the project's sense of cohesion and authenticity, describing it as "a soulful diagram for South Central Los Angeles," and commending the chemistry between the two artists. Read full review
No qualifying reviews from other high trust outlets (Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Guardian, NPR Music, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Financial Times) were found at this time.
Come As You Are
Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon's Come As You Are deeply draws from their South LA roots, infusing the album with a strong sense of place and authenticity. Its title carries a welcoming, church-inspired message of acceptance and realness.
Commercial success
Come As You Are debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 22 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, marking a top 10 entry for the project and a Billboard chart debut for Kenyon Dixon as a billed artist.
Cultural impact
The album is considered a cultural statement from two proud South LA natives, capturing the "spirit, the soul, the streets, the musicianship" of their upbringing.
Kenyon Dixon and Terrace Martin performed selections from the album at Blue Note Los Angeles in August 2025, bringing their collaborative vision to a live audience in their home city.
Critical response
The Los Angeles Times highlighted the project's sense of cohesion and authenticity, describing it as "a soulful diagram for South Central Los Angeles," and commending the chemistry between the two artists. Read full review
No qualifying reviews from other high trust outlets (Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Guardian, NPR Music, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Financial Times) were found at this time.
LOVE ON DIGITAL
DESTIN CONRAD's debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL, explores the nuances of modern romance and intimacy in a hyper-connected world. The album is described as an "ode to the digital era of R&B," and also serves as a statement of self-expression and honesty for the queer artist, who intentionally collaborated with primarily LGBTQ+ identifying artists to create a project that makes queer people feel seen and represented in R&B.
Commercial success
The album garnered >30M streams across major platforms like Apple Music and Spotify and achieved top 10 chart debuts on both platforms.
Cultural impact
The accompanying "LOVE ON DIGITAL" tour featured numerous sold-out dates across North America.
"LOVE ON DIGITAL" is celebrated for centering queer representation in R&B, featuring high-profile talent like Kehlani and Lil Nas X.
The project sparked a wave of attention across music and media, earning CONRAD cover stories with Spotify’s RNBX Magazine and Yams Magazine, alongside features in Billboard, Essence, and EBONY, highlighting his growing influence in the genre.
Critical response
While a full-length review from the 10 high trust outlets is not available, LOVE ON DIGITAL has been noted in Billboard coverage for its authenticity and exploration of Black queer representation in R&B, with Conrad's "honest and vibe-driven" approach praised for resonating with listeners. Read full review
WRBB Radio highlighted the album's "laid-back R&B tracks with Destin Conrad’s tender, silky-smooth vocals," and praised its thematic and sonic coherence, as well as the chemistry between Conrad and his collaborators. Read full review
LOVE ON DIGITAL
DESTIN CONRAD's debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL, explores the nuances of modern romance and intimacy in a hyper-connected world. The album is described as an "ode to the digital era of R&B," and also serves as a statement of self-expression and honesty for the queer artist, who intentionally collaborated with primarily LGBTQ+ identifying artists to create a project that makes queer people feel seen and represented in R&B.
Commercial success
The album garnered >30M streams across major platforms like Apple Music and Spotify and achieved top 10 chart debuts on both platforms.
Cultural impact
The accompanying "LOVE ON DIGITAL" tour featured numerous sold-out dates across North America.
"LOVE ON DIGITAL" is celebrated for centering queer representation in R&B, featuring high-profile talent like Kehlani and Lil Nas X.
The project sparked a wave of attention across music and media, earning CONRAD cover stories with Spotify’s RNBX Magazine and Yams Magazine, alongside features in Billboard, Essence, and EBONY, highlighting his growing influence in the genre.
Critical response
While a full-length review from the 10 high trust outlets is not available, LOVE ON DIGITAL has been noted in Billboard coverage for its authenticity and exploration of Black queer representation in R&B, with Conrad's "honest and vibe-driven" approach praised for resonating with listeners. Read full review
WRBB Radio highlighted the album's "laid-back R&B tracks with Destin Conrad’s tender, silky-smooth vocals," and praised its thematic and sonic coherence, as well as the chemistry between Conrad and his collaborators. Read full review
LOVE ON DIGITAL
DESTIN CONRAD's debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL, explores the nuances of modern romance and intimacy in a hyper-connected world. The album is described as an "ode to the digital era of R&B," and also serves as a statement of self-expression and honesty for the queer artist, who intentionally collaborated with primarily LGBTQ+ identifying artists to create a project that makes queer people feel seen and represented in R&B.
Commercial success
The album garnered >30M streams across major platforms like Apple Music and Spotify and achieved top 10 chart debuts on both platforms.
Cultural impact
The accompanying "LOVE ON DIGITAL" tour featured numerous sold-out dates across North America.
"LOVE ON DIGITAL" is celebrated for centering queer representation in R&B, featuring high-profile talent like Kehlani and Lil Nas X.
The project sparked a wave of attention across music and media, earning CONRAD cover stories with Spotify’s RNBX Magazine and Yams Magazine, alongside features in Billboard, Essence, and EBONY, highlighting his growing influence in the genre.
Critical response
While a full-length review from the 10 high trust outlets is not available, LOVE ON DIGITAL has been noted in Billboard coverage for its authenticity and exploration of Black queer representation in R&B, with Conrad's "honest and vibe-driven" approach praised for resonating with listeners. Read full review
WRBB Radio highlighted the album's "laid-back R&B tracks with Destin Conrad’s tender, silky-smooth vocals," and praised its thematic and sonic coherence, as well as the chemistry between Conrad and his collaborators. Read full review
Other awards in this field
R&B + Rap + Spoken Word Poetry
Other awards in this field
R&B + Rap + Spoken Word Poetry
Other awards in this field
R&B + Rap + Spoken Word Poetry
Best R&B Performance
Best R&B Performance
Best Progressive R&B Album
Best Progressive R&B Album
Best R&B Album
Best R&B Album
Best Rap Album
Best Rap Album
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Best R&B Song
Best R&B Song
Best Rap Performance
Best Rap Performance
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Best Rap Song
Best Rap Song
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
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