Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther" won Record of the Year at the 68th Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, though the announcement was initially met with confusion. The award ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah for the last time, also saw Lamar break Jay-Z's record to become the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history.
The award presentation was briefly muddled when presenter Cher seemingly announced "Luther Vandross" as the winner, according to Variety. The actual winner was "Luther," performed by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
SZA addressed the current political climate following the win. "It’s incredibly dystopian that we’re dressed up and able to celebrate accolades when people are getting snatched up and shot in the face on the street," SZA told Variety backstage at the Grammys. "It just feels bizarre, and I find so many of us don’t really know how to feel right now, besides rage and hopelessness." She added, "It’s always been ‘F— Ice.’"
Time Magazine reported that the 68th Grammy Awards marked the end of a long-standing partnership with CBS, which had broadcast the show for over 50 years. Beginning next year, the Grammys will be broadcast on ABC, Hulu, and Disney.
Lamar led this year's nominations with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga and producers Cirkut and Jack Antonoff with seven each, and Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter with six nominations apiece, Time reported.
The awards took place amid a backdrop of social and political unrest, including public outcry over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by federal agents, according to multiple news sources cited by Time.
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