Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Nominees Discuss the 2026 Class & Why Everyone ‘Brings Their Own Distinct Style To the Table’

No women will be competing for producer of the year, non-classical at the 2026 Grammy ceremony, in contrast to the ceremony earlier this year where R&B producer/musician Alissia was a surprise nominee in the category (becoming only the ninth woman, or team of women, to receive a nod in the category). Superproducer Jack Antonoff likewise is shut out (he was nominated in five consecutive years, winning in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before being omitted for 2025), and fellow hit-maker Dan Nigro is also missing from the class; he competed in 2024 and won at the 2025 ceremony.

Of the 2026 class of nominees, three are up for producer of the year, non-classical for the first time: Cirkut, Dijon and Sounwave. Veteran producer-musicians Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and Blake Mills of Band of Horses round out the group. Below, all five of those nominated reflect on being up for the trophy on Feb. 1, 2026.

Dan Auerbach

This is your fifth time being nominated for producer of the year, non-classical, including a win in 2013. How have you seen this field change over time?

I’m always surprised to get the nomination. I feel lucky to be recognized for doing what I love to do. If the Grammys didn’t exist, I’d still be doing the same thing.

What’s your key to consistently scoring a nod in this field?

It’s hard to say. I just keep trying to follow my instincts and do my best to not get in the way of the process.

All of the work included in your nomination was released through your label, Easy Eye. How does it feel to see your roster succeed?

I just want to help artists make the music they truly want to make. It’s a privilege to be trusted with that opportunity. Easy Eye exists to give them that freedom. The label and the studio allow us to work fast and instinctually. To not worry about trends or industry pressure. Our role is rudimentary — support the vision and serve the song.

Cirkut

How did you find out you were nominated for producer of the year, non-classical?

I watched it live — I was still in bed! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Leading up to it, there’s always moments when you think you might have a shot, but to see it actually happen was surreal. I don’t think I’ve really formally celebrated, but all the love and support I’ve been getting from other music people, friends and family has meant everything.

How does this year’s class of producer nominees represent what’s resonating in music today?

Each nominee brings their own distinct style to the table. I’m glad that the Recording Academy is being proactive in representing both established names as well as new names across all genres.

Five of your seven total nominations are across the album, record and song of the year categories for your work with Lady Gaga and Rosé with Bruno Mars. How does that reflect your major 2025?

Gaga had an absolutely incredible year. I don’t often work on full albums, so being involved in 12 out of 14 tracks made the AOTY nomination [for MAYHEM] especially meaningful to me… To see “APT.” become such a phenomenon is so cool — Rosé and Bruno are absolute superstars and gave the record such a distinct personality. It’s been one of those rare records that captures the attention of people of so many different ages and backgrounds. I can’t count how many times I’ve had people tell me, “Wait, you did that song?! That’s my 5-year-old’s favorite song and now I love it, too.”

Both “APT.” and Gaga’s “Abracadabra” are nominated for record and song of the year — what’s the key to a hit landing in both categories?

If I knew the key, I would do it every year.

Dijon

How did you react to earning your first Grammy nominations?

I was asleep in the front lounge of my tour bus and I smiled!

How does this year’s class of producer nominees represent what’s resonating in music today?

Blake Mills is a friend and extremely influential, so it seems communal and cool. I also really love the beat for the song “GNX” [by Kendrick Lamar, which Sounwave co-produced], so I’m in rad company.

Your second nomination is for album of the year with Justin Bieber’s SWAG. What’s a favorite memory from working on that album?

Freedom and adventure. No expectations and no judgment, plenty of wine, all hands on deck. Really grateful for the time.

How would you celebrate a win come Grammys night?

Put my son to bed, then invite homies to my garage for a beer.

Blake Mills

How did you find out you were nominated for producer of the year, non-classical?

I woke up to a bunch of very sweet “congratulations” texts from my friends and family, but I was totally confused as to what they were about. Five minutes later, I realized the Grammy nominations were being announced, and after 20 minutes of Googling, it started to feel like I was getting really close to finding out what I had been nominated for. It was surreal and hysterical.

This is your third time being nominated in this category. What would a win mean to you?

The community of people producing records right now is just so diverse, and it’s cool that we all share that same credit of “producer” while being drastically different in our practices. Songs and albums that we worked on this year may have each required something completely unique from us, so choosing the “best” producer out of the lot is kind of an impossible task.

You’re no stranger to best engineered album, non-classical, but this is your first time scoring two simultaneous nominations in the category. How does that reflect your output in the last 12 months?

I’ve just kept my head down and worked on one thing or another every day of my life since I was about 18. I am incredibly lucky to do this for a living — playing and collaborating with so many incredible artists — so I rarely feel that burnout from being overworked. I’ve enjoyed staying busy throughout my career and just try to do as much as I possibly can every year.

Sounwave

You have 18 Grammy nominations, but this is your first for producer of the year, non-classical. Why was this the year, and what would a win mean to you?

I’ve been blessed to do what I love for more than 20 years, and I’ve poured everything into my work each of those years. That’s why receiving this nomination means so much to me on so many levels. And a win will show that I’m living proof that you don’t have to change who you are or what you believe in to receive major blessings. Stay focused, stay true and keep the faith.

You and Kendrick Lamar have collaborated for years — what’s the key to your success?

Trust — always. And always keep it authentic and real with each other. We’ve been in sync in just about every aspect of life since day one. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s one of the most genuine and amazing human beings I’ve ever met. He makes the work fun and exciting with every album.

You’re the only producer in this class to be nominated for just one project. How does that speak to the impact of GNX?

I’m a firm believer that when you have a platform capable of reaching the masses, you should use it to push boundaries and explore creative outlets with purpose. GNX was our way of planting a flag in our culture while transcending the rap genre. And being on a stadium world tour seeing the reactions showed us just how important that message truly was.

This story appears in the Dec. 6, 2025, issue of Billboard.