The 2026 Grammys Were Messy, Political, and Unforgettable
After months of anticipation following the announcement of nominations last November, the winners of the 2026 Grammy Awards were revealed Sunday night in a ceremony marked by political tension, spectacle, and historic milestones.
Hosted by Trevor Noah, the broadcast unfolded amid heightened cultural debate, and much of that tension surfaced in fragmented ways across speeches and performances.
The night’s biggest honors reflected change within the music industry. Kendrick Lamar and SZA won Record of the Year for “luther,” while Bad Bunny claimed Album of the Year for his latest release, making history as the first Spanish-language album to receive the award.
Historic Wins and Industry Milestones
Bad Bunny’s Album of the Year win stood out as one of the ceremony’s most significant moments. The Puerto Rican artist, who is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next weekend, dedicated the win to immigrants and displaced people. His victory marked a major shift for the Recording Academy, reflecting the growing global reach of Latin music.
Earlier in the night, Bad Bunny also won Best Música Urbana Album and used his acceptance speech to address immigration enforcement. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals; we are humans and we are Americans,” he said.
Other historic moments occurred off the main broadcast during the Premiere Ceremony, where FKA twigs and Kehlani won their first Grammys, Joni Mitchell received her 11th Grammy at age 82, and multiple first-time winners delivered speeches that never reached the televised audience. The absence of these moments became one of the night’s most frequently noted shortcomings.
Political Undercurrents
Politics loomed over the ceremony. Several attendees wore pins reading “ICE OUT” or “BE GOOD” on the red carpet, while others referenced the state of the country in broad terms. Trevor Noah acknowledged the national mood in his opening monologue but avoided specifics, joking that Americans drink every time they turn on the news.
Some artists addressed politics more directly. Billie Eilish, after winning Song of the Year for “Wildflower,” said, “No one is illegal on stolen land,” a statement that stood out amid more cautious remarks from other winners. Earlier, SZA urged viewers not to despair during what she described as a “scary time,” adding that “we’re not governed by the government, we’re governed by God.”
Performances Drive the Night’s Energy
While speeches varied in impact, the performances energized the broadcast. Though Alex Warren struggled with his performance of “Ordinary,” others seized the moment, including Addison Rae, whose performance of her song “Fame Is a Gun” became a standout visual moment.
Olivia Dean ultimately won Best New Artist, capping a category many considered unusually strong with other nominees including Lola Young, Alex Warren and KATSEYE.
Justin Bieber delivered one of the evening’s most stripped-down performances, appearing in athleisure shorts with only a guitar, looper, and MPC as he performed “Yukon.” The minimalist setup emphasized his roots and highlighted the song’s structure rather than spectacle.
Sabrina Carpenter added theatrical flair with a performance of “Manchild” that included choreography on a baggage carousel and a live dove illusion, offering one of the night’s lighter moments.
In Memoriam Segment Draws Widespread Praise
The In Memoriam segment emerged as one of the most acclaimed portions of the ceremony. Spanning genres and generations, the tribute honored artists including Ozzy Osbourne, D’Angelo, and Roberta Flack.
Reba McEntire opened the segment with a performance of “Trailblazer,” marking her first Grammy performance nearly four decades after her initial win. Members of Guns N’ Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers joined Post Malone for a rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” while Lauryn Hill led a multi-artist soul medley honoring D’Angelo and Flack.
Hill’s performance marked her first Grammy appearance since winning Album of the Year for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1999 and featured guest appearances from Raphael Saadiq, Leon Thomas, Bilal, and Wyclef Jean.
Memorable Missteps
Not all memorable moments were planned. Cher, when presenting the award for Record of the Year, seemingly presented the award to the deceased Luther Vandross instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their song luther, creating what many dubbed the Grammys’ “Adele Dazeem” moment.
Rather than falter, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and producer Sounwave leaned into the mistake. “First and foremost, let’s give a shout out to the late, great Luther Vandross,” Sounwave said, drawing applause and diffusing the moment.
A Ceremony Defined by Contrast
The 2026 Grammy Awards balanced celebration with restraint, ambition with caution. For every bold statement, there were several careful ones. For every televised highlight, there were moments relegated to the pre-show. Yet the ceremony ultimately delivered historic wins, standout performances, and flashes of honesty that resonated beyond the broadcast.
In a year defined by uncertainty, the Grammys reflected an industry still negotiating how, and how loudly, it wants to speak.
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