Associated Press predicts that “APT” by BLACKPINK's Rosé and Bruno Mars will win Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2026 GRAMMYs

Analysts at Associated Press (one of the largest, oldest, and most respected news agencies in the world, founded in the United States in 1846) have released their expectations for the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony, which will take place on February 1.

According to predictions, a fierce battle is expected in the "Record of the Year" category, where Rosé and Bruno Mars' song "APT" has a strong chance of winning. Specifically, one analyst mentioned the following:

If one song feels both inescapable and effortless, it’s “APT.” I look at what songs listeners, especially younger ones, including my daughter, who will soon be 6, still keep in rotation. The song easily translates across age groups, platforms, and borders. Bruno Mars brought a proven sense of structure, while Rosé’s presence reflects the academy’s growing comfort with global pop influence. If this wins, which I believe will happen, Rosé would become the "First K-pop Artist to take the record of the year milestone. I think it’s time to make history, because the song deserves it on its own merits.

Another analyst emphasized the following: For all of the reasons you’ve listed above, as well as its total ubiquity and cultural meshing, “APT.” is the most likely candidate to win.

Regarding the "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance" category, the favorites to win are Rosé and Bruno Mars, who have had a great year with the global smash hit "APT." In this regard, one analyst commented:

For me, this is a toss-up between “Golden” and “APT.” But I’m going to give a slight nod to “APT.” What sets the song apart is the balance. The collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars feels solidified, with neither artist competing for space. In this category, cohesion often matters more than ambition.

If the predictions come true and Rosé wins at least one of the categories, it would be a historic milestone for Asian artists.