Bad Bunny won the prestigious Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking a historic moment as it is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home this top honor. During his acceptance speech, Bad Bunny began by thanking his supporters, collaborators, and his mother. He expressed his dedication of the award to those who have left their homelands to chase their dreams.

Harry Styles presented the award, having previously won the same accolade in 2023 for "Harry's House." The night was filled with powerful sentiments, as Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for "Wildflower," using her platform to criticize immigration authorities. Eilish stated, "No one is illegal on stolen land," and emphasized her views on immigration with a pointed exclamation, "Expletive) ICE is all I want to say."

Bad Bunny continued the theme of immigration advocacy in his acceptance speech for his award-winning album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." He began his speech in English, receiving huge applause when he declared, "ICE out," and stressed the humanity of all individuals, asserting, "We are humans and we are Americans." In addition, Olivia Dean was crowned Best New Artist, reflecting on her immigrant heritage and the bravery of those who have come before her.

The night also saw Kendrick Lamar and SZA winning Record of the Year for their track "Luther." Cher presented the award but mistakenly referred to the artists as "Luther Vandross." Lamar also bagged the first televised award of the night for Best Rap Album with "GNX," breaking Jay-Z's record for the most Grammy wins by a rapper, bringing his total to 27.

Lady Gaga received the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for "Mayhem," expressing her disbelief at her continued success. Meanwhile, Lola Young took home the award for Pop Solo Performance for "Messy" with a humorous acceptance speech. In a notable addition, Jelly Roll was awarded the inaugural Best Contemporary Country Album for "Beautifully Broken," as part of a significant restructuring of category classifications at the Grammys.

Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, commending the power of Black music. Cher also received the Lifetime Achievement Award, sharing her wisdom from 60 years in the music industry and encouraging persistence in pursuing dreams.

The in memoriam segment of the evening celebrated the legacies of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack, with Ms. Lauryn Hill making a notable return to the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999. Hill performed a powerful tribute to both D'Angelo and Flack, collaborating with various artists throughout her set.

Tyler, the Creator debuted an avant-garde medley, while all eight nominees for Best New Artist participated in an impressive medley that showcased a diverse blend of musical styles. The show kicked off with a vibrant performance by Rosé and Bruno Mars, further setting an energetic tone for the night.

Throughout the ceremony, artists consistently championed pro-immigration and anti-ICE sentiments. Notably, during the Premiere Ceremony, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy, underscoring the event's theme of first-time winners. This year also saw a K-pop act, "KPop Demon Hunters," win for Song Written for Visual Media, showcasing the increasing global influence of diverse music genres.

Kehlani embraced her immigrant roots while accepting her Grammy for R&B performance and spoke out against current political trends, stating, "Expletive) ICE," and voicing her fears about the treatment of immigrants. The event was marked by an undeniable spirit of advocacy and reflection on the current socio-political climate, with artists using their influence to speak out against injustices.