Kendrick Lamar Breaks Rap Record as Bad Bunny Claims Historic Album of the Year at Grammys 2026
Published Date: 2 Feb, 2026
February 02, 2026
Kendrick Lamar cemented his status as the most decorated rapper in Grammy history Sunday night, winning six awards including Record of the Year for "luther" with SZA at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny made global music history by becoming the first artist to win Album of the Year for a primarily Spanish-language album with "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," while Billie Eilish took Song of the Year for "Wildflower" and Olivia Dean earned Best New Artist in a ceremony packed with boundary-breaking moments and powerful performances.
Hosted by Trevor Noah in what marked his final time at Crypto.com Arena before next year's venue change, the telecast blended high-energy sets, emotional speeches, and subtle nods to current social issues including immigration and cultural representation.
Historic Wins Highlight Global Reach
Bad Bunny's Album of the Year victory represented a landmark for Latin music, as "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" became the first full Spanish-language project to claim the night's top honor. In an acceptance speech delivered partly in Spanish, the Puerto Rican artist spoke about resilience, love triumphing over division, and the importance of staying true to one's roots during challenging times.
Kendrick Lamar dominated the rap categories, adding Best Rap Album for "GNX," Best Rap Song for "tv off" featuring Lefty Gunplay, and Best Rap Performance for Clipse's "Chains & Whips" featuring Lamar and Pharrell Williams. The wins pushed his career Grammy total to 27, surpassing Jay-Z's previous record of 24.
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas secured their third Song of the Year trophy for the introspective "Wildflower," further solidifying their reputation as one of the most successful songwriting duos in recent Grammy history. Olivia Dean, the British-Ghanaian singer-songwriter, became Best New Artist, delivering a moving speech that celebrated her immigrant heritage and the power of music to bridge divides.
Standout Performances and On-Stage Moments
The night featured memorable live performances including Lady Gaga's theatrical take on "Abracadabra," Bruno Mars and ROSÉ's vibrant rendition of "APT.," and Tyler the Creator showcasing material from "Chromakopia." A surprise appearance by Cher, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier in the evening, added star power when she presented Record of the Year to Lamar and SZA.
Several winners used their platforms to address broader themes. Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean both highlighted support for immigrant communities, drawing applause and tying into ongoing national conversations about policy and inclusion.
Additional Category Highlights
Doechii collected awards in R&B and alternative categories, while emerging artists like Lola Young and Leon Thomas added fresh voices to the winners' circle. Lady Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album for "Mayhem," and tributes honored influential figures including Lauryn Hill and Post Malone's early inspirations.
The 2026 Grammys reflected the evolving landscape of popular music, with strong representation across genres, languages, and cultural backgrounds. As the Recording Academy prepares to move the ceremony to a new broadcast home on ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ next year, this edition will stand out for its celebration of linguistic diversity, record-breaking achievements, and artists using their moments to speak on pressing social issues.
With Bad Bunny's groundbreaking win and Kendrick Lamar's historic night, the Grammys once again proved music's ability to transcend borders and spark meaningful dialogue in an ever-changing world.
Date: 2 Feb, 2026
