The 2026 Grammys are easiest to understand if you follow five artists. Between them, they basically tell the story of the entire night.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny defined the ceremony. His album Debí Tirar Más Fotos won Album of the Year, making history as the first Spanish-language album ever to take the Grammys’ top prize and beating out nominees like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Tyler, the Creator. The win marked his first time taking home a “Big Four” (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist) category and underscored the global dominance of Latin music. He also won Best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance, making it clear that his impact wasn’t limited to one category.
Kendrick Lamar
If Bad Bunny had the biggest single win, Kendrick Lamar had the biggest overall night. He won Record of the Year for “Luther” with SZA and Best Rap Album for “GNX”. Those victories pushed him past Jay-Z to become the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history, with 27 career wins. Kendrick opened the televised awards with his rap album win and kept returning to the stage. His speech emphasized hip-hop’s cultural longevity, reinforcing his position as one of the genre’s defining artists.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish took home Song of the Year for “Wildflower,” adding another major Grammy to her already stacked résumé. The category included heavy competition from Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny, but Eilish’s songwriting secured the win. She also appeared throughout the night wearing an “ICE OUT” pin alongside other artists, reflecting the subtle but noticeable political messaging that threaded through the ceremony.
Olivia Dean
British singer Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, one of the most anticipated categories each year. While not the most commercially dominant nominee, her win signals that the industry sees her long-term potential. Best New Artist often predicts future headliners, and the Grammys clearly positioned Dean as someone to watch moving forward.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga didn’t sweep the night, but she remained a constant presence. She won Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem and was nominated across multiple major categories, including Song and Album of the Year. Her continued success highlights her staying power: nearly two decades into her career, she is still competing with and winning against a new generation of artists.
The 2026 Grammys weren’t chaotic or shocking. Through those five artists, the night felt less like a turning point and more like a confirmation of where music already is.