The 68th Annual Grammy Awards made history on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, as Bad Bunny’s all-Spanish album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” became the first entirely Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year in Grammy history. Kendrick Lamar repeated his 2025 success with five more trophies, including Record of the Year for “luther” with SZA, while Billie Eilish claimed Song of the Year for “WILDFLOWER.”
Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for his sixth and final consecutive year, delivering his signature wit while managing one of music’s most diverse and exciting nights. From emotional acceptance speeches to spectacular performances and Steven Spielberg achieving EGOT status, the 2026 Grammys will be remembered as a groundbreaking celebration of global music.
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The Big Four: Main Category Winners
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Bad Bunny – “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”
HISTORIC WIN
In the most significant moment of the night, Bad Bunny’s deeply personal album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (which translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos”) won Album of the Year, marking the first time an all-Spanish-language album has ever won the Grammy’s top prize.
Overcome with emotion, Bad Bunny bowed his head and wept for several seconds before taking the stage. His win represents a breakthrough for Latin music and Spanish-language artists at the Grammys, which have historically favored English-language recordings in the top categories.
“This is for Puerto Rico, for Latin America, for everyone who believed in me,” Bad Bunny said through tears. The album, which deals with themes of family, nostalgia, and mortality, resonated deeply with voters despite being entirely in Spanish—a language barrier that would have been insurmountable in previous Grammy eras.
Other Album of the Year Nominees:
– “SWAG” – Justin Bieber
– “Man’s Best Friend” – Sabrina Carpenter
– “Let God Sort Em Out” – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
– “MAYHEM” – Lady Gaga
– “GNX” – Kendrick Lamar
– “MUTT” – Leon Thomas
– “CHROMAKOPIA” – Tyler, The Creator
RECORD OF THE YEAR: “luther” – Kendrick Lamar With SZA
Kendrick Lamar and SZA won Record of the Year for their collaboration “luther,” which samples Luther Vandross’s 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, “If This World Were Mine.” This marked Lamar’s second consecutive Record of the Year win, having won last year for “Not Like Us.”
The award was presented by Cher, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier in the ceremony. In a memorable moment, Cher initially announced the winner as “Luther Vandross” before realizing her mistake, joking that she thought the winner would appear on the prompter.
Other Record of the Year Nominees:
– “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
– “APT.” – ROSÉ and Bruno Mars
– “Anxiety” – Doechii
– “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
– “Golden” – HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
– “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
– “WILDFLOWER” – Billie Eilish
SONG OF THE YEAR: “WILDFLOWER” – Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas O’Connell won Song of the Year for “WILDFLOWER,” a deeply personal ballad from Eilish’s album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Though the album was released in May 2024, “WILDFLOWER” wasn’t released as a single until February 2025, which made it eligible for the 2026 Grammys.
In her acceptance speech, Eilish addressed current political events, specifically criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies: “No one is illegal on stolen land. We just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. Our voices matter.”
Other Song of the Year Nominees:
– “APT.” – ROSÉ, Bruno Mars (songwriters: Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park & Theron Thomas)
– “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
– “Golden” [From KPop Demon Hunters] – HUNTR/X
– “luther” – Kendrick Lamar With SZA
– “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
BEST NEW ARTIST: Olivia Dean
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, capping a meteoric rise that saw her make Grammy history at the 2025 ceremony as the first artist ever nominated for both Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical in the same year.
The South London native previously shattered records at the 2024 BRIT Awards, winning six awards—the most in a single year—and becoming the first woman named Songwriter of the Year. Her current U.K. No. 1 single “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” has also charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Other Best New Artist Nominees:
– KATSEYE
– The Marías
– Addison Rae
– sombr
– Leon Thomas
– Alex Warren
– Lola Young
Kendrick Lamar’s Dominant Night: Five Grammy Wins
Kendrick Lamar led all nominees with nine nominations and took home five trophies, repeating his 2025 Grammy dominance:
1. Record of the Year – “luther” (with SZA)
2. Best Rap Album – “GNX”
3. Best Rap Performance – TBD
4. Best Melodic Rap Performance – TBD
5. Best Rap Song – TBD
Lamar’s album “GNX” was nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Bad Bunny. Nevertheless, his continued excellence in rap music was recognized across multiple categories, cementing his status as one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history.
Major Category Winners
POP CATEGORIES
Best Pop Solo Performance: “Messy” – Lola Young
Lola Young’s vulnerable ballad won over strong competition from Justin Bieber (“DAISIES”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”), Lady Gaga (“Disease”), and Chappell Roan (“The Subway”).
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
The “Wicked” soundtrack hit won this category, giving the film franchise its first Grammy win. This comes after both actresses were surprisingly snubbed at the 2026 Golden Globes.
Best Pop Vocal Album: “MAYHEM” – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s latest album beat out releases from Justin Bieber (“SWAG”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Man’s Best Friend”), Miley Cyrus (“Something Beautiful”), and Teddy Swims (“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)”).
DANCE/ELECTRONIC CATEGORIES
Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “End of Summer” – Tame Impala
Tame Impala’s psychedelic electronic track won over Disclosure & Anderson .Paak (“No Cap”), Fred Again.. with Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax (“Victory Lap”), KAYTRANADA (“SPACE INVADER”), and Skrillex (“VOLTAGE”).
R&B CATEGORIES
Best R&B Performance: “Folded” – Kehlani
Kehlani won over Justin Bieber (“YUKON”), Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller (“It Depends”), Leon Thomas (“MUTT”), and Summer Walker (“Heart Of A Woman”).
RAP CATEGORIES
Best Rap Album: “GNX” – Kendrick Lamar
As expected, Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” won Best Rap Album over:
– “Let God Sort Em Out” – Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
– “GLORIOUS” – GloRilla
– “God Does Like Ugly” – JID
– “CHROMAKOPIA” – Tyler, The Creator
COUNTRY CATEGORIES
Best Contemporary Country Album: “Beautifully Broken” – Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll won over:
– “Patterns” – Kelsea Ballerini
– “Snipe Hunter” – Tyler Childers
– “Evangeline Vs. The Machine” – Eric Church
– “Postcards From Texas” – Miranda Lambert
In his acceptance speech, Jelly Roll delivered an inspirational message about his journey from incarceration to Grammy winner, reminding his 16-year-old self to never give up.
Best Traditional Country Album: “Ain’t In It For My Health” – Zach Top (NEW CATEGORY)
This was the first year for the Best Traditional Country Album category, created to distinguish traditional country from contemporary country sounds. Zach Top won over established artists including Charley Crockett (“Dollar A Day”), Lukas Nelson (“American Romance”), Willie Nelson (“Oh What A Beautiful World”), and Margo Price (“Hard Headed Woman”).
Best Americana Performance: “Beautiful Strangers” – Mavis Staples
The legendary Mavis Staples won over:
– “LONELY AVENUE” – Jon Batiste feat. Randy Newman
– “Ancient Light” – I’m With Her
– “Crimson And Clay” – Jason Isbell
– “Richmond On The James” – Alison Krauss & Union Station
Best American Roots Song: “Godspeed” – Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples won twice in Americana categories, also taking home Best American Roots Song over competitors including:
– “Boom” – Sierra Hull
– “Poison In My Well” – Maggie Rose & Grace Potter
– “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark” – Molly Tuttle
– “Horses” – Jesse Welles
Historic Moments and Notable Wins
Steven Spielberg Achieves EGOT Status
Legendary director Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status—winning at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—when he secured the Grammy for Best Music Film for his role in producing “Music By John Williams.”
Spielberg joins an elite group of only 21 people who have won all four major American entertainment awards. The documentary about composer John Williams, with whom Spielberg has collaborated on countless iconic films, was Spielberg’s first Grammy win.
Trevor Noah’s Grammy Nomination and Loss
Host Trevor Noah was also a nominee, competing for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for his book “Into the Uncut Grass.” He lost to the Dalai Lama, which Noah joked about throughout the ceremony: “I lost to the Dalai Lama. I can’t even be mad about that.”
K-Pop Makes Grammy History
“Golden” from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” won Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking a significant moment for K-pop representation at the Grammys. The song, performed by HUNTR/X (featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI), beat out several high-profile competitors.
The win comes from the Netflix animated film that also won two Golden Globes earlier in January 2026, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
Cher’s Memorable Moment
Cher, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award after an 18-year absence from the Grammy stage, delivered a meandering but inspirational acceptance speech. However, she created an unintentionally comedic moment when announcing Record of the Year.
After walking toward the wings thinking she was done, Trevor Noah had to call her back because she still needed to announce the award. When she opened the envelope, she stared blankly ahead and said, “Oh, they told me it was going to be on the prompter.”
She then announced “Luther Vandross” as the winner, when the actual winner was “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA (which samples Vandross). The moment became instantly meme-worthy on social media.
Spectacular Performances
Bad Bunny’s Contractual Drama
All night, Trevor Noah playfully ribbed Bad Bunny about a clause in his Super Bowl halftime show contract that supposedly prevents him from performing anywhere else in the run-up to the big game (he’s scheduled to perform at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2026).
In a loose, delightful bit, Noah started reciting Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” back to him in Spanish, and Bad Bunny couldn’t help but finish the line. A brass band emerged from the wings, and Bad Bunny belted a few bars, technically fulfilling his contractual obligation while giving fans a taste of his music.
Tyler, The Creator’s Explosive Performance
Tyler, The Creator delivered what many called the most theatrical performance of the night for “Sugar on My Tongue.” He pulled up to a retro 1950s roadside gas station in a replica Ferrari F40 for what became a live-action music video.
Someone got run over. “Gas” spurted everywhere. The gas station was blown to smithereens in an explosive finale. Tyler was nominated for six Grammys this year for his work on “CHROMAKOPIA” and related projects.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Airplane Spectacle
Dressed as a flight attendant, Sabrina Carpenter performed “Manchild” atop a massive airplane on stage. The elaborate production featured runway-style choreography and aviation-themed visuals, creating one of the night’s most memorable moments.
Lady Gaga’s Feathered Elegance
Lady Gaga commanded the stage to perform “Abracadabra” in a feathers-and-cage ensemble that showcased her trademark theatrical style. The performance was a visual spectacle befitting her seven Grammy nominations for the night.
Best New Artist Medley
All eight Best New Artist nominees performed a show-stopping medley of their hits, giving each artist a moment in the spotlight before winner Olivia Dean was announced.
Complete Winners List – Major Categories
General Field
– Album of the Year: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” – Bad Bunny
– Record of the Year: “luther” – Kendrick Lamar With SZA
– Song of the Year: “WILDFLOWER” – Billie Eilish
– Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
Pop
– Best Pop Solo Performance: “Messy” – Lola Young
– Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
– Best Pop Vocal Album: “MAYHEM” – Lady Gaga
Dance/Electronic
– Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “End of Summer” – Tame Impala
Rock
– Best Rock Performance: “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” – Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross)
– Best Rock Album: “Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning” – YUNGBLUD
R&B
– Best R&B Performance: “Folded” – Kehlani
Rap
– Best Rap Album: “GNX” – Kendrick Lamar
– Best Rap Performance: TBD
– Best Melodic Rap Performance: TBD
Country
– Best Contemporary Country Album: “Beautifully Broken” – Jelly Roll
– Best Traditional Country Album: “Ain’t In It For My Health” – Zach Top (NEW CATEGORY)
– Best Americana Performance: “Beautiful Strangers” – Mavis Staples
– Best American Roots Song: “Godspeed” – Mavis Staples
Gospel/Christian
– Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake With Jelly Roll
Jazz
– Best Jazz Vocal Album: “Live at Vic’s Las Vegas” – Nicole Zuraitis
Latin
– Best Latin Pop Album: “A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole” – Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Visual Media
– Best Song Written for Visual Media: “Golden” [From “KPop Demon Hunters”] – HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
– Best Music Film: “Music By John Williams” (Steven Spielberg, producer)
Special Awards
– Lifetime Achievement Award: Cher
New Categories for 2026
The Recording Academy introduced two new categories for the 68th Grammy Awards:
1. Best Traditional Country Album – Won by Zach Top for “Ain’t In It For My Health”
2. Best Album Cover – Winner to be announced
Additionally, Best Country Album was renamed Best Contemporary Country Album to distinguish it from the new traditional category.
Voting Changes and Innovations
Randomized Ballot Order
For the first time in Grammy history, the 2026 ballots were presented in randomized order rather than alphabetical order. Ruby Marchand, chief awards and global industry officer for the Recording Academy, stated that “this ballot update brings our process in line with standard voting best practices and further ensures the process is fair and equitable for all entries.”
The change was implemented to:
– Encourage voters to familiarize themselves with the entire ballot
– Prevent defaulting to favorite artists
– Eliminate any unfair advantage for artists listed first alphabetically
Expanded Voting Membership
The Recording Academy invited 3,800 new music creators and professionals to join as voting members, continuing efforts to diversify the voting body and ensure it represents the full spectrum of the music industry.
Broadcast and Venue Details
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards marked the ceremony’s 23rd and final year at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Beginning with the 2027 Grammy Awards, the show will be exclusively simulcast on ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ following a new deal with The Walt Disney Co. This represents a major shift in the Grammys’ broadcasting partnership.
Statistics and Records
– Total Categories: 95 (up from 93 in 2025)
– Most Nominations: Kendrick Lamar (9)
– Most Wins (Single Night): Kendrick Lamar (5)
– First Spanish-Language Album of the Year: Bad Bunny’s “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”
– Host: Trevor Noah (6th and final consecutive year)
– Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
– Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
– Eligibility Period: August 31, 2024 – August 30, 2025
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Grammys represented a landmark moment for Latin music, with Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win breaking a longstanding language barrier. The ceremony also showcased the Recording Academy’s ongoing efforts to diversify its membership, expand category representation, and modernize voting procedures.
With the move to Disney’s platforms beginning in 2027 and new venue announcements expected soon, the Grammy Awards continue evolving to reflect the changing landscape of the music industry while honoring excellence across all genres.
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