What the Grammys had to say about history

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History was made in more than one way at Sunday night’s 68th Grammy Awards.

Bad Bunny’s album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” made history by winning Album of the Year – a first for a Spanish-language LP at the Grammys. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” was named Record of the Year, making Lamar the most awarded rapper ever and only the fourth artist to win that prize two years in a row. Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, also celebrated a win with “Wildflower” taking Song of the Year – making them the only songwriters to win this award three times.

Entertainment & Arts

Here’s a look at some of the most stylish outfits from the 2026 Grammy Awards, featuring stars like Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, Rosé, Olivia Dean, and Kehlani.

As I watched the ceremony, it was so clear the Academy is truly becoming more diverse – you could see it in the faces of all the nominees and winners. It’s wonderful they’re finally acknowledging a wider range of talent. But what struck me was that even with all the new artists being celebrated, the music itself still felt very much rooted in what the Academy has always loved. It was a night of breaking new ground, but also a beautiful celebration of everything they already held dear.

“Luther” is a smooth, soulful hip-hop track that samples a classic love song originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in the late 1960s, and later covered by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn in 1982. The song cleverly connects musical generations through its use of this sample.

Producer Sounwave began the acceptance speech at the Crypto.com Arena by honoring the late Luther Vandross. There was a brief mix-up beforehand when Cher mistakenly announced Vandross as the winner of record of the year. Kendrick Lamar then emphasized the true spirit of music, expressing his thankfulness for the opportunity to sample Vandross’ work. He explained that this was granted only on the condition that he and SZA refrain from using profanity in their song.

Olivia Dean, a 26-year-old British singer recently named best new artist, shows a clear appreciation for musical legends in her work. Her popular album, “The Art of Loving,” draws inspiration from the classic pop-soul sounds of artists like Diana Ross and Whitney Houston.

As a big music fan, I was really fascinated by Bad Bunny’s Grammy win. It’s funny, because he blew up with such a modern sound – that reggaeton and Latin trap stuff – but the song that finally got him the Grammy, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” felt like a real return to his roots. It’s a beautiful tribute to Puerto Rico, using a lot of traditional folk styles like bomba and plena, and it actually sounds like a live band playing, which is different from his super polished 2022 album, “Un Verano Sin Ti.” That album was huge and got nominated for Album of the Year, but Harry Styles ended up taking that one home – and, ironically, Harry was the one who presented Bad Bunny with his Grammy this year!

Bad Bunny’s growing popularity played a big role in his success this year, culminating in a Grammy win and setting the stage for his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. Similar to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” which finally earned her album of the year after previous losses, Bad Bunny’s album is designed to appeal to Grammy voters – it honors musical traditions while still showcasing his unique style.

I used to feel disappointed when the Grammys looked back at past winners. Even though Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” is a beautiful song, her win for Song of the Year felt like a missed opportunity. I hoped voters would have chosen “Golden” from the show KPop Demon Hunters – a much more energetic and exciting track. (Thankfully, “Golden” did win a Grammy for song written for visual media, making it the first K-pop song to ever receive the award.)

Despite all the talk about the event’s historical significance, Sunday’s ceremony felt particularly impactful because many artists used their platform to address current issues with genuine passion. For example, Bad Bunny, while accepting an award for his urban music album, directly addressed the crowd, saying, “ICE out,” and powerfully stating, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”

Billie Eilish stated that the concept of ‘illegal’ people doesn’t apply when considering land taken from its original inhabitants. Dean responded by highlighting Eilish’s own family history as descendants of immigrants, adding that immigrants should be honored.

The music also felt deeply personal and honest. Lola Young’s performance of “Messy,” a raw and vulnerable song played solo on piano, really stood out—she even won Pop Solo Performance, beating out more established artists like Lady Gaga and Sabrina Carpenter. When she accepted her award, she admitted she hadn’t prepared a speech, playfully acknowledging the song’s theme by saying, “It’s messy, do you know what I mean?”

It was strange that a show so focused on the past didn’t quite honor R&B legends Roberta Flack and D’Angelo well. Lauryn Hill, leading the band, rushed through their songs – pieces that really need room to breathe and develop – because the performance time was too limited.

Justin Bieber delivered the most memorable performance of the night with a simple, raw version of his song “Yukon.” He played an electric guitar and used a looping station while performing in just boxer shorts and socks.

“Yukon” is a track from Justin Bieber’s recent album, “Swag,” which marked his return after a period away from the spotlight. Like his earlier album, “Messy,” it explores themes of self-acceptance and forgiveness. In “Yukon,” Bieber sounds like someone who is learning to live a fulfilling life beyond the pressures of fame. While the song acknowledges his past, it doesn’t dwell on it.

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2026-02-02 23:31