The 68th Annual Grammy Awards delivered a night nobody will forget. Held on February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’s iconic Crypto.com Arena, music’s biggest celebration brought together industry legends, rising stars, and some seriously jaw-dropping moments that had everyone talking.
From Bad Bunny’s emotional, history-making win to Kendrick Lamar cementing his legacy as hip-hop’s most decorated artist, the 2026 Grammys proved once again why this event matters. Whether you’re hunting for the complete winners list or want the inside scoop on what really went down, we’ve got you covered with everything that happened at this year’s ceremony.
The Big Four: 2026 Grammy Awards Major Category Winners
Let’s cut right to the chase—here are the winners everyone was waiting for:
Album of the Year: Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (making history as the first Spanish-language album to win this category)
Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA – “luther”
Song of the Year: Billie Eilish & Finneas O’Connell – “WILDFLOWER”
Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
These wins set the tone for an evening that balanced commercial success with artistic credibility, showcasing the Recording Academy’s evolving taste and the music industry’s shifting landscape.
Bad Bunny’s Historic Album of the Year Victory
When presenter Harry Styles announced Bad Bunny’s name for Album of the Year, the Puerto Rican superstar couldn’t hold back his emotions. He covered his face, tears streaming down his cheeks, as the Crypto.com Arena erupted in applause. This wasn’t just another win—it was a watershed moment for Latin music on the global stage.
Speaking primarily in Spanish during his acceptance speech, Bad Bunny dedicated the award “to all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.” The win came at a particularly poignant time, just days before his highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance and amid heated national conversations about immigration policy.
Earlier in the evening, Bad Bunny had made an even more direct statement while accepting Best Música Urbana Album, declaring “ICE out” before addressing the crowd. “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens,” he emphasized. “We are humans and we are Americans.”
This historic achievement follows decades of Latin artists being overlooked in the industry’s top categories, making DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS more than just an album—it’s a cultural milestone. Learn more about the impact of Latin music at the Grammys on Grammy.com.
Kendrick Lamar’s Record-Breaking Night
Kendrick Lamar walked into the 2026 Grammys with nine nominations, the most of any artist that evening. He walked out as the most awarded rapper in Grammy history, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record of 25 wins. With five new trophies added to his collection, Lamar now boasts 27 Grammy Awards.
His wins included:
- Record of the Year – “luther” (featuring SZA)
- Best Rap Album – GNX
- Best Rap Song – “tv off” (featuring Lefty Gunplay)
- Best Melodic Rap Performance – “luther” (with SZA)
- Best Rap Performance – “Chains & Whips” by Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams (as featured artist)
The Record of the Year presentation became one of the ceremony’s most talked-about moments, though not entirely for the right reasons. Cher, who had just received a Lifetime Achievement Award, was meant to present the award but initially walked off stage before being called back by host Trevor Noah. When she finally announced the winner, she mistakenly called out “Luther Vandross” instead of the song “luther,” creating an awkward yet ultimately touching moment.
Lamar graciously handled the confusion, using his speech to honor the late Luther Vandross: “He’s one of my favorite artists of all time. They granted us the privilege to do our version of it. When we got that clearance, I promise you we damn near all dropped a tear because we know how much he and Cheryl Lynn poured into that record.”
Billie Eilish and Finneas Continue Their Dominance
The sibling duo of Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell added another Song of the Year trophy to their mantle with “WILDFLOWER,” becoming the first songwriting duo to win three times in this prestigious category. Their previous wins came in 2020 and 2024, cementing their status as one of pop music’s most formidable creative partnerships.
Eilish didn’t hold back during her acceptance speech, making a pointed political statement that CBS censors struggled to keep up with. According to attendees and social media footage, she declared “F**k ICE” and added, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Her raw emotions reflected the mood of many artists who used their platform that evening to speak out on current political issues.
Best New Artist: Olivia Dean’s Breakthrough Moment
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean claimed the coveted Best New Artist award, beating out a competitive field that included KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, and Sombr. The award came after all eight nominees delivered performances during a special segment hosted by last year’s Best New Artist winner, Chappell Roan.
In her acceptance speech, Dean highlighted her immigrant heritage: “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated…we’re nothing without each other.” Her words resonated deeply in a night filled with immigration-focused messages.
For more on Olivia Dean’s journey to this moment, check out her profile on NPR Music.
Complete 2026 Grammy Awards Winners List
Pop Categories
Best Pop Solo Performance
- Winner: Lola Young – “Messy”
- Nominees: Justin Bieber (“DAISIES”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”), Lady Gaga (“Disease”), Chappell Roan (“The Subway”)
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
- Winner: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – “Defying Gravity”
- Nominees: HUNTR/X (“Golden”), KATSEYE (“Gabriela”), ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (“APT”), SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar (“30 For 30”)
Best Pop Vocal Album
- Winner: Lady Gaga – MAYHEM
- Nominees: Justin Bieber (SWAG), Sabrina Carpenter (Man’s Best Friend), Miley Cyrus (Something Beautiful), Teddy Swims (I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy – Part 2)
Rock Categories
Best Rock Performance
- Winner: YUNGBLUD featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II – “Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning”
Best Metal Performance
- Winner: Turnstile – “BIRDS”
Best Rock Song
- Winner: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (Nine Inch Nails) – “As Alive As You Need Me To Be”
Best Rock Album
- Winner: Turnstile – NEVER ENOUGH
R&B Categories
Best R&B Performance
- Winner: Kehlani – “Folded”
Best Traditional R&B Performance
- Winner: Leon Thomas – “VIBES DON’T LIE”
Best R&B Song
- Winner: Kehlani – “Folded”
Best Progressive R&B Album
- Winner: Durand Bernarr – BLOOM
Best R&B Album
- Winner: Leon Thomas – MUTT
Rap Categories
Best Rap Performance
- Winner: Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams – “Chains & Whips”
Best Melodic Rap Performance
- Winner: Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “luther”
Best Rap Song
- Winner: Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay – “tv off”
Best Rap Album
- Winner: Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Country Categories
Best Country Solo Performance
- Winner: Chris Stapleton – “Bad As I Used To Be” (from F1 The Movie)
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
- Winner: Shaboozey & Jelly Roll – “Amen”
Best Country Song
- Winner: Tyler Childers – “Bitin’ List”
Best Traditional Country Album
- Winner: Zach Top – Ain’t In It For My Health
Best Contemporary Country Album
- Winner: Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken
Latin Music Categories
Best Latin Pop Album
- Winner: Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera
Best Música Urbana Album
- Winner: Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
- Winner: CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – PAPOTA
Best Música Mexicana Album
- Winner: Carín León – Palabra De To’s – Seca
Best Tropical Latin Album
- Winner: Gloria Estefan – Raíces
Dance/Electronic Categories
Best Dance/Electronic Recording
- Winner: Tame Impala – “End Of Summer”
Best Dance Pop Recording
- Winner: Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Best Dance/Electronic Album
- Winner: FKA twigs – EUSEXUA
Alternative & Americana Categories
Best Alternative Music Performance
- Winner: The Cure – “Alone”
Best Alternative Music Album
- Winner: The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
Best Americana Album
- Winner: Jon Batiste – BIG MONEY
Global Music Categories
Best Global Music Performance
- Winner: Bad Bunny – “EoO”
Best African Music Performance
- Winner: Tyla – “PUSH 2 START”
Best Global Music Album
- Winner: Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo
Jazz Categories
Best Jazz Performance
- Winner: Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – “Windows – Live”
Best Jazz Vocal Album
- Winner: Samara Joy – Portrait
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
- Winner: Sullivan Fortner featuring Peter Washington & Marcus Gilmore – Southern Nights
Gospel & Christian Categories
Best Gospel Performance/Song
- Winner: CeCe Winans featuring Shirley Caesar – “Come Jesus Come”
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
- Winner: Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll – “Hard Fought Hallelujah”
Best Gospel Album
- Winner: Darrel Walls, PJ Morton – Heart Of Mine
Production & Technical Categories
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
- Winner: Cirkut
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
- Winner: Amy Allen
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
- Winner: Pino Palladino, Blake Mills – That Wasn’t A Dream
Best Music Video
- Winner: Doechii – “Anxiety”
Best Music Film
- Winner: John Williams – Music By John Williams
Special Achievement Categories
Best Comedy Album
- Winner: Nate Bargatze – Your Friend, Nate Bargatze
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
- Winner: Mad Skillz – Words For Days Vol. 1
For a complete breakdown of all 95 categories, visit the official Recording Academy website.
Standout Performances That Stole the Show
The 2026 Grammys featured electrifying performances that had viewers glued to their screens:
Justin Bieber’s Raw “Yukon” Performance
Justin Bieber made headlines with his stripped-down performance of “Yukon,” appearing on stage wearing only shorts and socks. The minimalist approach emphasized the song’s emotional vulnerability and showcased Bieber’s artistic evolution. The performance marked his return to the Grammy stage after a hiatus, and he clearly came to make a statement.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Airport Terminal Extravaganza
Sabrina Carpenter transformed the Grammys stage into a working airport terminal for her performance of “Manchild.” Dressed in an all-white pilot-inspired ensemble, she descended down a baggage claim carousel in true pop star fashion. The elaborate production demonstrated why Carpenter has become one of pop’s biggest names, even though she ultimately went home empty-handed despite six nominations.
Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM” Unleashed
Lady Gaga delivered pure chaos (in the best way) with her performance of “Abracadabra.” The song earned her the Best Dance Pop Recording award, while her album MAYHEM took home Best Pop Vocal Album. During her acceptance speech, Gaga offered inspiring words to women in music: “I urge you to always listen to yourself and always fight for your ideas. Make sure that you are heard loudly.”
Tributes to Music Legends
The ceremony featured moving tributes to several icons:
- Ozzy Osbourne Tribute: Post Malone, Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, and Andrew Watt delivered a powerhouse performance honoring the Prince of Darkness
- D’Angelo & Roberta Flack: Lauryn Hill gave a rare performance alongside Wyclef Jean, Jon Batiste, Leon Bridges, and John Legend
- Cher’s Lifetime Achievement: The Goddess of Pop received a well-deserved standing ovation for her seven-decade career
The Best New Artist Showcase
All eight Best New Artist nominees—Olivia Dean, Leon Thomas, KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Lola Young, and Alex Warren—performed during a special medley segment. Addison Rae particularly impressed with her Grammy debut of “Fame Is a Gun,” silencing skeptics who dismissed her as just a TikTok star.
Political Statements and Immigration Focus
The 2026 Grammys stood in stark contrast to other recent award shows by featuring numerous artists who used their platform to address current political issues, particularly immigration and ICE deportation policies.
Key moments included:
- Bad Bunny’s “ICE out” declaration
- Billie Eilish’s censored but powerful anti-ICE statement
- Olivia Dean celebrating her immigrant heritage
- SZA’s message about unity: “We’re not governed by the government, we’re governed by God”
These statements reflected the industry’s collective response to ongoing political debates and demonstrated music’s power as a vehicle for social commentary.
Trevor Noah’s Final Hosting Gig
Comedian Trevor Noah wrapped up his sixth and final year as Grammy host with his signature blend of sharp wit and cultural commentary. His opening monologue included jabs at political figures and self-deprecating humor about the music industry.
One memorable moment came when Noah had to call Cher back to the stage after she forgot to present Record of the Year, showcasing his quick thinking and professionalism. He also presented Pharrell Williams with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, creating a beautiful moment connecting three generations of hip-hop legends.
Record-Breaking Achievements & Historic Firsts
The 2026 Grammys will be remembered for several milestone moments:
Youngest Grammy Winner
Aura V of Fyütch & Aura V became the youngest individually named Grammy winner at age 8, surpassing Blue Ivy Carter’s previous record (age 9 in 2021) with their win for Best Children’s Music Album.
Steven Spielberg Achieves EGOT Status
The legendary filmmaker earned his first Grammy as a producer of Music by John Williams, joining the exclusive club of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). This achievement has been disputed by some sources regarding his Tony Award credentials, but the Grammy win is undeniable.
K-Pop’s Grammy Breakthrough
“Golden” from the Netflix series KPop Demon Hunters, performed by HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI), won Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking a significant moment for K-Pop representation at the Grammys.
Kendrick Lamar Surpasses Jay-Z
With 27 total Grammy wins, Lamar officially became hip-hop’s most decorated artist, ending Jay-Z’s reign with 25 wins. This marks Lamar’s fourth five-win night at the Grammys, an achievement matched by few in Grammy history.
Snubs & Surprises
No Grammy ceremony is complete without controversial outcomes:
Biggest Snub: Despite six nominations, Sabrina Carpenter went home empty-handed. Her elaborate airport performance and commercial dominance in 2024-2025 made many predict at least one win.
Surprise Win: Lola Young’s Best Pop Solo Performance victory for “Messy” shocked attendees, as she beat out heavy favorites Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Young’s excitement was palpable—and uncensored, as she let a four-letter word slip during her acceptance speech.
Tyler, The Creator’s Shutout: Despite strong buzz around CHROMAKOPIA in the Album of the Year race, Tyler went home without any major wins, continuing a pattern of the Academy overlooking his groundbreaking work.
How to Watch the 2026 Grammys
Missed the live broadcast? Don’t worry—you’ve got options:
- Paramount+: On-demand replay available now
- CBS App: Full ceremony streaming
- YouTube: The Recording Academy’s official channel features highlights, speeches, and performance clips
- Hulu & Disney+: Starting in 2027, the Grammys will exclusively stream on these platforms alongside ABC
What’s Next: Looking Ahead
With the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in the books, attention now turns to:
- Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: Following his Grammy triumph, all eyes are on his February 8th performance, which has already generated controversy due to his Spanish-language music and pro-immigration stance.
- Kendrick Lamar’s Continued Dominance: As the most awarded rapper in Grammy history, Lamar has cemented his legacy. His surprise-released GNX proved he can still dominate both critically and commercially.
- The Future of Latin Music: Bad Bunny’s historic win opens doors for more Spanish-language artists in the industry’s top categories, potentially changing the Grammys’ landscape forever.
- Grammy Voting Changes: The Recording Academy’s new randomized ballot system (implemented to prevent alphabetical advantage) may influence future results in unexpected ways.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Grammy Awards delivered everything music fans could want: historic wins, powerful performances, emotional speeches, and plenty of viral moments. From Bad Bunny’s tearful Album of the Year acceptance to Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking achievements, this year’s ceremony proved that the Grammys remain music’s most prestigious honor.
Whether you’re a die-hard music fan tracking every category or just here for the highlights, one thing’s clear—the 68th Annual Grammy Awards will be talked about for years to come. The combination of artistic excellence, cultural significance, and political courage made this a truly unforgettable night.
For complete coverage, performance videos, and behind-the-scenes content, visit Grammy.com and follow the Recording Academy’s social media channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammys? Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, making history as the first Spanish-language album to win this category.
How many Grammys did Kendrick Lamar win in 2026? Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys at the 2026 ceremony, bringing his total to 27 and making him the most awarded rapper in Grammy history.
Who was the Best New Artist winner in 2026? British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys.
Did Sabrina Carpenter win any Grammys? Despite six nominations, Sabrina Carpenter did not win any awards at the 2026 Grammys.
Who hosted the 2026 Grammy Awards? Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the sixth and final consecutive year.
What was the most controversial moment at the 2026 Grammys? Cher mistakenly announcing “Luther Vandross” as the Record of the Year winner instead of the song “luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was one of the most talked-about moments.