On February 1, the 68th annual Grammy Awards unfolded at Los Angeles Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night. The ceremony witnessed multiple historic wins, powerful performances and emotional moments. This year’s ceremony was more diverse than ever before, with nominees and winners hailing from all over the world, once again demonstrating how music can bring people together with different cultures and different languages.
Album of the Year was awarded to Bad Bunny for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, making him the first Latino artist to be nominated in the Big Three categories and win Album of the Year, Best Global Music Performance and Best Música Urbana Album. He dedicated the awards “to all the people that had to leave their homeland” and added, “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”
Record of the Year went to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for “luther,” a collaboration that dominated streaming platforms throughout the eligibility period. In his acceptance speech, Lamar honored Luther Vandross, while SZA encouraged everyone with the words: “Don’t fall into despair.”
Billie Eilish, an artist with 10 wins and 34 nominations, won Song of the Year for “WILDFLOWER.” In her acceptance speech, Eilish expressed her thanks and offered hope and encouragement for people to hold onto their own dreams and strive to achieve them.
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean earned critical acclaim and commercial success across multiple regions with her romantic album “The Art of Loving,” with tracks including “Man I Need,” “A Couple Minutes” and “So Easy” securing the Best New Artist award.
In the pop categories, Lola Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy.” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande won Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.” This production has introduced the musical to a new generation of listeners. Lady Gaga took home the Pop Vocal Album for “Mayhem.” Gaga, now a multiple time winner in the category, used her moment to advocate for artists’ creative freedom. “Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” she said.
Justin Bieber made his return to the Grammy stage by performing “Yukon” from his latest album. The performance marked his first appearance at the ceremony in four years. Though Bieber did not win any awards this year, his performance was warmly received and reminded audiences of his enduring presence in pop music.
Sabrina Carpenter delivered one of the most talked about performances with “Manchild.” Her creative stage setting complemented the song’s socially conscious lyrics, bringing joy and discovery to her Grammy debut.
KATSEYE delivered a jaw-dropping performance of their hit single “Gnarly” at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking a milestone moment for this international girl group. Having debuted less than two years prior, the group earned their first Grammy nomination this year – a major breakthrough for such young artists. Known for their multiracial lineup and electrifying choreography, KATSEYE has amassed a global fanbase since their debut. Their high-energy performance of “Gnarly” brought the entire audience to their feet in cheers, with precise dance moves and powerful vocals igniting the venue and showcasing their status as one of pop music’s most promising new talents.
From historic victories to breathtaking performances, the 68 Grammy Awards once again demonstrated that music transcends borders, languages and differences, uniting us to celebrate artistic mastery and the spirit of expression.