The 68th Grammy Awards didn’t just celebrate another year of music—it rewrote history books. On a night filled with emotional speeches, surprise wins, and groundbreaking moments at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, the 2026 ceremony delivered a powerful statement about the current state and future direction of popular music.
The biggest story of the night was Bad Bunny’s historic victory, as his album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” became the first Spanish-language album ever to win Album of the Year. The Puerto Rican star, visibly moved, delivered much of his acceptance speech in Spanish, marking a watershed moment for Latin music on the industry’s biggest stage.
The Big Four Winners of the Night
The General Field categories, often called the “big four,” set the tone for the entire evening, revealing not just who won, but where the music industry’s collective ear is tuned.
- Album of the Year: Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos. This win was a major milestone, signaling a significant shift in the Academy’s recognition of global, non-English language music.
- Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”. This track gave Lamar his second consecutive Record of the Year win, cementing his commercial and critical hot streak.
- Song of the Year: Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”. This award, which honors songwriting, went to Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas O’Connell for the third time in their careers.
- Best New Artist: Olivia Dean. The British singer-songwriter triumphed in a competitive field that included breakthrough acts like Leon Thomas and the global girl group KATSEYE.
Spotlight on Genre-Defining Victories
Beyond the top prizes, several key genre awards highlighted exceptional work and, in some cases, ended long-standing Grammy droughts for legendary artists.
Hip-Hop’s Reigning King
Kendrick Lamar was the night’s top winner, taking home five awards. His album “GNX” won Best Rap Album, and his collaboration with SZA swept both Record of the Year and Best Melodic Rap Performance. This haul broke Jay-Z’s record for the most career Grammy wins by a rapper, a testament to Lamar’s sustained excellence.
Pop and Rock: From New Faces to Legacy Icons
In the pop realm, Lady Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album for “MAYHEM” and Best Dance/Pop Recording for “Abracadabra”. A notable pop win was Lola Young for Best Pop Solo Performance (“Messy”), beating out established stars.
The rock and alternative categories delivered some of the most talked-about wins. Post-punk legends The Cure won their first-ever Grammy Awards, taking home both Best Alternative Music Album for “Songs of a Lost World” and Best Alternative Music Performance for “Alone”. Meanwhile, the band Turnstile continued its rise, winning Best Rock Album for “Never Enough“.
R&B, Country, and Global Sounds
- R&B: Leon Thomas had a breakout night, winning Best R&B Album for “Mutt“. Kehlani took home Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Folded”.
- Country: Jelly Roll won Best Contemporary Country Album for “Beautifully Broken“. Tyler Childers won Best Country Song for “Bitin’ List”.
- Global Music: Beyond Bad Bunny’s major win, South African star Tyla won Best African Music Performance for “Push 2 Start”.
Memorable Moments and Industry Shifts
Hosted for a sixth and final time by Trevor Noah, the telecast was packed with moments that extended beyond the awards themselves. A moving “In Memoriam” tribute honored artists like Ozzy Osbourne, D’Angelo, and Roberta Flack, with performances from Post Malone, Slash, and Lauryn Hill.
In a surprise twist, music icon Cher appeared to present the award for Record of the Year—a moment that became instantly memorable when she almost walked offstage before being playfully called back by Noah.
The ceremony also reflected an evolving industry. The Recording Academy introduced two new categories for 2026: Best Traditional Country Album (won by Zach Top) and Best Album Cover, while also adjusting the classification of other country and packaging awards. Furthermore, this year marked the final Grammys broadcast on CBS before the show moves to Disney-owned networks (ABC, Hulu, Disney+) in 2027.
The majority of the 95 awards were presented during the afternoon Premiere Ceremony, hosted by Darren Criss, which celebrated the crucial work of producers, songwriters, and engineers. Key winners there included Cirkut for Producer of the Year and Amy Allen for Songwriter of the Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most awards at the 2026 Grammys?
Kendrick Lamar won the most awards of the night, taking home a total of five Grammys. This included Record of the Year (“Luther” with SZA), Best Rap Album (“GNX”), and Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Why was Bad Bunny’s Album of the Year win so significant?
Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” is the first Spanish-language album in history to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. This breakthrough is seen as a major step forward in the recognition of Latin music within the Recording Academy’s top category.
Did any artists win their first Grammy in 2026?
Yes, several artists won their first Grammy. Most notably, rock icons The Cure won their first-ever Grammys after a decades-long career, securing two awards. Olivia Dean also won her first Grammy for Best New Artist.
What were the major performances and tributes?
The show featured performances from Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and a medley by all the Best New Artist nominees. Major tributes honored Ozzy Osbourne (featuring Post Malone and Slash) and a combined tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack led by Lauryn Hill.
Where can I watch the Grammys next year?
The 2027 Grammy Awards will move from CBS to Disney-owned outlets. You will be able to watch the live telecast on ABC, and it will be simulcast on Hulu and Disney+.
The 2026 Grammys will be remembered as a turning point. It was a night where historic barriers for Latin music fell, legendary artists finally received their due, and the industry’s next generation stepped firmly into the spotlight. The winners list tells a story of a global, genre-blending, and ever-evolving musical landscape.
