Kendrick Lamar was the standout star of the 2026 Grammy Awards, leaving the ceremony with five wins after entering with a leading nine nominations. His biggest accolade came with Record of the Year for “Luther”, his collaboration with SZA.
The Recording Academy presented awards across 95 categories, with 86 trophies handed out during the afternoon premiere ceremony and the final nine announced during the primetime broadcast, which featured live performances and major category highlights.
Bad Bunny accepts the award for Album of the Year for "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" during the 68th Annual Grammy Award. Photo: ReutersDespite Lamar’s dominance, the top awards were spread among several artistes. Bad Bunny won Best Música Urbana Album for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”, using his acceptance speech to make a political statement by opening with “ICE out.” Olivia Dean claimed Best New Artist, a win many considered one of the evening’s most anticipated outcomes.
Lamar had already earned three awards before the televised broadcast, winning Best Rap Song for “TV Off”, Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther” with SZA, and Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips”, on which he was a featured artiste. During the live show, he added Best Rap Album, becoming the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record. He capped the night with Record of the Year, bringing his total to five.
Lady Gaga accepts the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for "MAYHEM" during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: ReutersLady Gaga also had a successful evening, winning Best Pop Vocal Performance for “Abracadabra” during the telecast, following her Best Dance Pop Recording win earlier in the day. The song earned a third Grammy through Gesaffelstein, who won Best Remixed Recording for his work.
Billie Eilish caused one of the night’s biggest surprises by taking Song of the Year for “Wildflower”, beating out major contenders including “Golden”, “Manchild”, and Bad Bunny’s “DtMF”. Eilish, like several other artists, used her speech to make a political statement, openly criticising US immigration authorities.
Lady Gaga performs at Grammys. Photo: Reuters
In country music, Jelly Roll took home three Grammys, including Best Country Album for “Beautifully Broken” during the live telecast. Cirkut won Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) for his work on multiple projects, including Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem”, while Amy Allen was named Songwriter of the Year.
The ceremony featured standout performances throughout the night. Rosé and Bruno Mars opened with their hit “Apt.”, immediately energising the audience. Sabrina Carpenter followed with “Manchild”, turning the stage into an airport terminal as she played a pilot racing through the scene. A segment later showcased all eight Best New Artist nominees performing together.
Sabrina Carpenter. Photo: ReutersJustin Bieber returned to the Grammy stage for the first time since 2022, delivering a stripped-down solo rendition of “Yukon” with minimal accompaniment. Lady Gaga added a heavier rock spin to “Abracadabra”, while Tyler, the Creator set the stage ablaze with a medley of “Thought I Was Dead”, “Like Him”, and “Sugar On My Tongue”.
A major highlight was Post Malone leading a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, performing alongside Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, Slash, and Andrew Watt.
Musicians Slash and Post Malone perform during a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Photo: ReutersThe In Memoriam segment was especially moving, with Lauryn Hill honouring her friend and collaborator D’Angelo and music legend Roberta Flack, joined by Leon Thomas, Raphael Saadiq, Jon Batiste, Lucky Daye, John Legend, and Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.
Cher reacts as she accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo: ReutersThe night also saw historic firsts. His Holiness the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording, with Rufus Wainwright accepting on his behalf. The Premiere Ceremony saw K-pop act “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters win Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking the first Grammy for a K-pop artist, with acceptance speeches delivered in both English and Korean.
Finally, “Music for John Williams” won Best Music Film, earning Steven Spielberg his first Grammy and placing him among the rare EGOT winners, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential creative figures in entertainment history.
Grammys 2026 Full Winners List
General And Major Categories
Album of the Year: Debí Tirar Más Fotos - Bad Bunny
Record of the Year: Luther - Kendrick Lamar with SZA
Song of the Year: Wildflower - Billie Eilish
Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
Songwriter of the Year: Amy Allen
Producer of the Year (Non-Classical): Cirkut
Pop Categories
Best Pop Solo Performance: Messy - Lola Young
Best Pop Vocal Album: Mayhem - Lady Gaga
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
Best Dance-Pop Recording: Abracadabra - Lady Gaga
Rap And R&B
Best Rap Album: GNX - Kendrick Lamar
Best Rap Performance: Chains & Whips - Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
Best Rap Song: TV Off - Kendrick Lamar ft. Lefty Gunplay
Best R&B Album: Mutt - Leon Thomas
Best R&B Performance: Folded - Kehlani
Best Traditional R&B Performance: Vibes Don’t Lie - Leon Thomas
Best R&B Song: Folded - Kehlani
Rock, Alternative And Metal
Best Rock Album: Never Enough - Turnstile
Best Rock Performance: Changes (Live from Villa Park) - Yungblud
Best Metal Performance: Birds - Turnstile
Best Rock Song: As Alive as You Need Me to Be - Nine Inch Nails
Best Alternative Music Album: Songs of a Lost World - The Cure
Best Alternative Music Performance: Alone - The Cure
Latin, Global And African Music
Best Latin Urban Album: Debí Tirar Más Fotos - Bad Bunny
Best Latin Pop Album: Cancionera - Natalia Lafourcade
Best Música Mexicana Album: Palabra De To’s (Seca) - Carín León
Best Global Music Performance: EoO - Bad Bunny
Best African Music Performance: Push 2 Start - Tyla
Best Reggae Album: BLXXD & FYAH – Keznamdi
Soundtracks, Visual Media And Spoken Word
Best Song Written for Visual Media: Golden - KPop Demon Hunters
Best Music Film: Music by John Williams
Best Compilation Soundtrack: Sinners - Various Artists
Best Score Soundtrack: Sinners - Ludwig Göransson
Best Audiobook, Narration & Storytelling: Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama - Dalai Lama
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: Words for Days Vol. 1 - Mad Skillz
Country, Jazz, And Gospel
Bad As I Used to Be - Chris StapletonBitin’ List - Tyler ChildersAin’t In It for My Health - Zach TopPortrait - Samara JoySouthern Nights - Sullivan FortnerHeart of Mine - Darrel Walls & PJ MortonCoritos Vol. 1 - Israel & New Breed