The 68th Grammy Awards took place Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrating achievements in the global music industry. The ceremony, held on February 2, 2026, recognized artists across a wide range of genres, with particular attention focused on the "big four" categories.
Billie Eilish's "Wildflower" won Song of the Year, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA's collaboration, "luther," took Record of the Year. Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, and Bad Bunny's "DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS" secured the Album of the Year award.
Going into the evening, Kendrick Lamar led the nominations with nine, followed by Lady Gaga, Cirkut, and Jack Antonoff, who each had seven. Lamar's presence reflected the growing recognition of hip-hop's artistic merit within the Recording Academy, an organization that has historically faced criticism for overlooking contributions from Black artists and other marginalized communities.
The Best Rap Album category saw Kendrick Lamar win for "GNX," beating out albums from Clipse, GloRilla, JID, and Tyler, The Creator. This win further solidified Lamar's position as a leading voice in contemporary music, addressing themes of social justice and personal struggle that resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Grammys, while primarily focused on American music, hold significant influence internationally, impacting record sales and artist recognition globally. The inclusion of artists like Bad Bunny, whose album is primarily in Spanish, highlights the increasing diversification of the music industry and the growing popularity of Latin music on a global scale. The awards continue to evolve, reflecting ongoing conversations about representation, genre boundaries, and the changing landscape of music consumption in the digital age.
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