A Night of History and Advocacy: The Grammy Awards 2026

By Ritik | February 02, 2026

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards once again shined light on the diverse and beautiful ensemble of artists nurturing the music of generations to come. It was a historic night for the music industry, with music icons such as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga performing on the Grammy stage for the first time in a long time.

The event was held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2026 Grammy Awards provided a platform for new artists and those who have already made their mark on the industry. Hosted for the sixth and final time by Trevor Noah, the evening felt both nostalgic and the start of something new for the Grammys.

From the first announcement of the Grammy Awards nominations 2026. It was clear this year's focus was on inclusivity and broadening the so-called bubble of the music industry, accepting the stunning cultural diversity alive in our world.

The Big Winners of the Night

The night was gracious to Bad Bunny, who has been the soul of Latin trap. His sixth studio album, Debí Tirar Más, won Album of the Year, beating Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga. This win marks the first time in history that an all-Spanish-language album has secured the top prize, signalling a shift in the Academy’s recognition of Latin America.

Kendrick Lamar also had a joyous night, leading with nine nominations, he swept the rap category and ultimately took home Record of the Year for his song Luther alongside SZA. These wins officially made Lamar the most awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy history, beating Jay-Z’s long-standing record.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won Song of the Year for their hauntingly beautiful “Wildflower”, whereas Olivia Dean won a very obvious win for Best New Artist for her soulful debut.

Lady Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album for her experimental and chart-topping project, Mayhem. Amy Allen made history by consecutively winning twice in the Songwriter of the Year category with hits such as So Easy (To Fall in Love), Tears, Manchild and APT, glamorising her already studded songwriting credits.

List of winners of the Grammy Awards 2026

Album of the year: Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos – WINNER
Record of the year “Kendrick Lamar with SZA – Luther – WINNER
Song of the year : Billie Eilish – Wildflower – WINNER
Best pop solo performance: Lola Young – Messy – WINNER
Best pop vocal album: Lady Gaga – Mayhem – WINNER
Best contemporary country album: Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken – WINNER
Best música urbana álbum: Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos – WINNER
Best new artist: Olivia Dean – WINNER
Best rap album: Kendrick Lamar – GNX – WINNER
Best dance-pop recording: Lady Gaga – Abracadabra – WINNER
Best rap performance: Clipse – Chains & Whips (ft Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams) –WINNER
Best country solo performance: Chris Stapleton – Bad As I Used to Be – WINNER
Best rap song: Kendrick Lamar ft Lefty Gunplay – TV Off – WINNER
Best pop duo/group performance: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity – WINNER
Best R&B album: Leon Thomas – Mutt – WINNER
Best rock album: Turnstile – Never Enough – WINNER
Best dance/electronic album: FKA twigs – Eusexua – WINNER
Best rock performance: Yungblud – Changes (Live from Villa Park, Back to the Beginning) – WINNER
Best metal performance: Turnstile – Birds – WINNER
Best R&B performance: Kehlani – Folded – WINNER
Best traditional R&B performance: Leon Thomas – Vibes Don’t Lie – WINNER
Best R&B song: Kehlani – Folded – WINNER
Best alternative music album: The Cure – Songs of a Lost World – WINNER
Best traditional country album: Zach Top – Ain’t In It for My Health – WINNER
Best global music performance: Bad Bunny – EoO – WINNER
Best rock song: Nine Inch Nails – As Alive as You Need Me to Be – WINNER
Best country song: Tyler Childers – Bitin’ List – WINNER
Best alternative music performance: The Cure – Alone – WINNER
Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: Sinners – WINNER
Best music video: Doechii – Anxiety – WINNER
Best song written for visual media: Huntr/x – Golden (from KPop: Demon Hunters) – WINNER
Best Latin pop album: Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera- WINNER
Best folk album: I’m With Her – Wild and Clear and Blue – WINNER
Best dance/electronic recording: Tame Impala – End of Summer – WINNER
Best African music Performance: Tyla – PUSH 2 START – WINNER
Best jazz performance: Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Windows (live) – WINNER
Best orchestral performance: Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra) – Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie – WINNER
Best jazz performance: Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Windows (live) – WINNER
Best comedy album: Nate Bargatze – Your Friend, Nate Bargatze – WINNER
Best Melodic Rap Performance: Kendrick Lamar with SZA – luther – WINNER
Producer of the year: Cirkut – WINNER
Songwriter of the year: Amy Allen – WINNER

Honouring Education: Grammy Music Educator Award 2026

Amid the glitz and glamour of pop stars and rappers, the Recording Academy took a moment to celebrate the industry's foundation: Teachers. The Grammy Music Educator Award 2026 was presented to Jennifer Jimenez of South Miami Senior High School in Florida.

A high school band director with nearly two decades of experience. Jimenez was recognised for her unwavering commitment to fostering musical talent in public school systems. Her recognition served as a reminder that behind every superstar on stage is a classroom, guided by a dedicated mentor like Jimenez.

Music Meets Activism: The Political Stance

The Grammy Awards 2026 were loud and bold about the world's current political climate. In an era of heightened social discourse, the red carpet and stage became a platform for advocacy.

A recurring voice throughout the night was the “ICE OUT” pin, worn by dozens of artists to signal solidarity with immigrants. Bad Bunny delivered the most fervent speech of the night after winning Best Musica Urbana Album.

"Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out," he declared. "We’re not savages, we’re not animals... we are humans, and we are Americans."

Olivia Dean echoed these sentiments during her Best New Artist acceptance, proudly identifying as the granddaughter of an immigrant and calling her career a product of bravery.

Billie Eilish, a longtime advocate for the motion, took a firm stance in her speech. Her brief but blunt message, “No one is illegal on a stolen land”, received a standing ovation, recognising America as the true property of the native american and faulty modern immigrant policy.

Lady Gaga used her platform to address the internal politics of the music industry. She urged female creators to advocate for their ideas, acknowledging how difficult it is for a woman to speak up in a male-dominated studio environment.

As the curtains closed on the 2026 Grammy Awards, it was clear the industry was no longer operating in a vacuum and was no longer accustomed to supporting only the big names. Kendrick Lamar breaking records, Bad Bunny breaking language barriers, or Jennifer Jimenez reminding us that behind every superstar is a teacher. The night paid tribute to the ever-evolving industry, congratulating those who made a lasting mark.

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