68th Grammy Awards: Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar Make History

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, delivered a definitive statement on the global and sonic evolution of the modern music industry. In a night where historic records were shattered and long-standing barriers fell, the Recording Academy honored a diverse spectrum of talent. From the first-ever Spanish-language Album of the Year to a historic coronation in hip-hop, the ceremony—hosted for the sixth and final time by Trevor Noah—focused on the technical mastery and creative ingenuity defining the current era. All the details, down below.

A Historic Sweep for Bad Bunny and Latin Music

The most significant headline of the evening was Bad Bunny’s triumph in the General Field. His critically acclaimed project, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, secured Album of the Year, marking the first time in the Academy’s history that a fully Spanish-language album has taken home the top honor. The Puerto Rican superstar also dominated the genre categories, winning Best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance for his track "EoO."

Kendrick Lamar: The Most Awarded Rapper in History

While Bad Bunny claimed the night’s biggest trophy, Kendrick Lamar emerged as the evening's most decorated individual. Entering the night as a frontrunner, Lamar took home five Grammys, including Best Rap Album for his chart-topping GNX and Record of the Year for his collaborative track with SZA, "luther." These victories brought his career total to 27 Gramophones, officially surpassing Jay-Z and Kanye West to become the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy history.

The Big Four and Breakthrough Winners

The remaining General Field awards showcased a balance between veteran craftsmanship and rising influence:

• Song of the Year: Siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas won for their melodic piece "WILDFLOWER," marking their continued status as the premier songwriting duo of the 2020s.
• Best New Artist: British soul sensation Olivia Dean beat out a competitive field of TikTok-centric nominees, emphasizing the Academy's renewed interest in classic vocal talent and live-instrumentation-driven pop.
• Record of the Year: The win for "luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was a particular highlight for music purists, as the track is built around a soul-stirring sample of the late Luther Vandross, blending 20th-century legacy with modern production.

Genre Mastery and Technical Excellence

Across the 95 categories, several artists achieved significant career milestones. Lady Gaga enjoyed a powerhouse evening, winning Best Pop Vocal Album for MAYHEM and Best Dance-Pop Recording for "Abracadabra," while FKA twigs secured Best Dance/Electronic Album for her boundary-pushing project EUSEXUA. In the rock field, Turnstile continued their ascent with a win for Best Rock Album (NEVER ENOUGH), and YUNGBLUD took home his first Grammy for Best Rock Performance.

Perhaps the most unexpected highlight occurred during the Premiere Ceremony, where the Dalai Lama won Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording, and the track "Golden" from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack made history as the first-ever win for a K-Pop act in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category. Collectively, the 2026 Grammys will be remembered not for the trends of the moment, but for a fundamental broadening of what "prestige" music sounds like in the 21st century.