The 68th Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on February 2, 2026, turned into a historic, emotional, and politically charged night as Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The victory marked the first time a Spanish-language album claimed the Grammys’ top honor.
Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony also saw Kendrick Lamar and SZA win Record of the Year, Billie Eilish take Song of the Year, and Olivia Dean emerge as Best New Artist. Beyond trophies, the night stood out for powerful performances, tributes, and strong political statements.
Key Takeaways on Grammys 2026: Bad Bunny’s Historic Win and Defining Moments
- Bad Bunny became the first artist to win Album of the Year with a Spanish-language album
- Kendrick Lamar broke records to become the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history
- Immigration and anti-ICE messages dominated multiple acceptance speeches
- Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean, and Lady Gaga delivered major category wins
- The 68th Grammys marked Trevor Noah’s final year as host and the show’s final broadcast on CBS
Grammys 2026: A Landmark Night at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles
The Grammy Awards returned with global attention for their 68th edition, celebrating the biggest achievements in music at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the 2026 Grammys delivered unforgettable performances, emotional tributes, and record-breaking wins that reshaped the show’s legacy.
The ceremony brought together global superstars, emerging artists, and industry legends. This year’s event was also the final Grammy broadcast on CBS, adding historical significance to a night already filled with milestones.
Bad Bunny Wins Album of the Year, Makes Grammy History
Bad Bunny emerged as the defining figure of the night after winning Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The achievement marked a historic first — no Spanish-language album had ever won the Grammys’ most prestigious award.
Visibly emotional, the Puerto Rican artist delivered most of his acceptance speech in Spanish, proudly discussing his roots and the strength of Puerto Rico. He thanked his family, collaborators, and supporters before dedicating the award to people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.
Earlier in the ceremony, Bad Bunny also won Best Música Urbana Album for the same project. During that acceptance speech, delivered in English, he made a strong anti-ICE statement, emphasizing humanity, love, and unity amid national unrest surrounding immigration enforcement. He also won Best Global Music Performance for the song “EoO.”
Kendrick Lamar and SZA Win Record of the Year as Lamar Breaks Grammy Records
Kendrick Lamar and SZA won Record of the Year for their collaboration “Luther.” The announcement briefly caused confusion when Cher, who presented the award, mistakenly referenced “Luther Vandross” before correcting herself.
Also Read: Grammys 2026 Winners: Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar Lead a Historic Night
Lamar’s success extended far beyond one category. He also won Best Rap Album for GNX and Best Rap Song, finishing the night with five total wins. With these victories, Lamar’s career Grammy count rose to 27, officially surpassing Jay-Z and making him the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history.
Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean and Major Category Wins
Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for “Wildflower” from her album Hit Me Hard and Soft. During her acceptance speech, she used the moment to criticize immigration enforcement, adding to a broader theme echoed throughout the night.
Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, delivering an emotional speech in which she described herself as the granddaughter of immigrants and spoke about bravery, identity, and gratitude. All eight Best New Artist nominees participated in a multi-stage medley performance, one of the ceremony’s most praised segments.
Lady Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem, while Sabrina Carpenter, despite six nominations, left the ceremony without a win. Indian nominee Anoushka Shankar missed out on a Grammy this year.
Performances, Tributes and Unforgettable Grammy Moments
The 2026 Grammys featured performances across genres and cultures. Rosé and Bruno Mars opened the show with “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter performed “Manchild” in a theatrical airport-themed act, while Lady Gaga reimagined “Abracadabra” with a rock-driven performance.
Justin Bieber returned to the Grammy stage for the first time since 2022, performing “Yukon” from his comeback album Swag. Tyler, the Creator delivered one of the night’s most artistic performances with a dramatic medley.
A powerful in-memoriam segment honored D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, featuring performances by Lauryn Hill, John Legend, Jon Batiste, and others.
Immigration, Politics and Voices From the Grammy Stage
Immigration emerged as a central theme throughout the ceremony. Several artists used their acceptance speeches to speak out against ICE and highlight immigrant experiences, including Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean, Shaboozey, and Kehlani.
Backstage comments also reflected fear and uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement, making the 2026 Grammys one of the most politically expressive ceremonies in recent years.
Other Major Wins and Notable Firsts at Grammys 2026
- Lola Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy”
- Jelly Roll won the newly introduced Contemporary Country Album award
- Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award
- The Dalai Lama won a Grammy for audiobook narration
- “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters won Song Written for Visual Media, becoming the first K-pop song to win a Grammy
- Music for John Williams won Best Music Film, making Steven Spielberg an EGOT winner
A Grammy Night That Redefined Music, History and Meaning
The 2026 Grammy Awards became more than a celebration of music. Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win reshaped Grammy history, while Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking night reinforced his legacy.
From emotional speeches and political statements to boundary-breaking performances and tributes, the ceremony reflected a moment where music, identity, and global realities converged — leaving a lasting imprint on the Grammy legacy and the wider music industry.
FAQs on Grammys 2026: Bad Bunny’s Historic Album of the Year Win
1. Who won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards?
Bad Bunny won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammys for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, becoming the first Spanish-language artist to achieve this milestone.
2. Why is Bad Bunny’s Grammy 2026 win historic?
Bad Bunny’s win is historic because Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language album to ever win Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
3. Who won Record of the Year at Grammys 2026?
Kendrick Lamar and SZA won Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammys for their collaboration “Luther.”
4. What did Bad Bunny say in his Album of the Year acceptance speech?
Bad Bunny dedicated his Album of the Year win to people who left their homeland to follow their dreams, highlighting Puerto Rico’s strength and honoring immigrants worldwide.
5. Who won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards?
Olivia Dean won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys after delivering an emotional speech about identity, courage, and her immigrant roots.
