The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena and delivered one of the most wide-ranging ceremonies in recent memory. From global pop crossovers and hip-hop dominance in the top categories to a landmark win for an animated K-pop project, the 2026 Grammys felt closely attuned to how music culture actually looks in 2026.
Performances that shaped the night
The ceremony leaned confidently into scale and contrast.
Lady Gaga delivered one of the night’s most theatrical performances with ‘Abracadabra’, fully embracing the high-concept world of MAYHEM and reminding audiences why she remains one of pop’s most commanding live performers.
Tyler, the Creator followed with a cinematic medley that played more like performance art than a standard awards-show slot, reinforcing his reputation for meticulous staging and narrative-driven visuals.
My girl 😭😭😭
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GRAMMY HISTORY MAKER ROSÉ#ROSÉ #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/XYan7bFrFf
Global pop was also firmly embedded in the programme, with Bruno Mars sharing the spotlight with ROSÉ of BLACKPINK, a pairing that underscored the Grammys’ continued shift toward international pop presence on its main stage. Justin Bieber rounded out the confirmed performance lineup with a more restrained, pared-back set.
The annual Best New Artist segment featured performances by the category’s nominees, including Olivia Dean, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Addison Rae, KATSEYE, SOMBR, and The Marías, giving audiences a snapshot of pop’s next wave.
The biggest wins
Hip-hop claimed one of the Grammys’ highest honours this year, with Kendrick Lamar and SZA winning Record of the Year for 'Luther'. GNX also took Best Rap Album, reinforcing Lamar’s enduring influence across both genre and general categories.
Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for ‘Wildflower’, Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, capping a year that saw her transition from rising favourite to global superstar.
Bad Bunny continued his blazing momentum as Debí Tirar Más Fotos claimed the night's most important award - Album of the Year.
KPop Demon Hunters makes Grammy history
‘Golden’, from KPop Demon Hunters, won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammy Premiere Ceremony. Written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick and performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X (voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), the win marked a historic milestone for K-pop at the Grammys.
The award highlighted how animation, K-pop aesthetics, and fandom-driven pop culture are increasingly recognised within major music institutions — not as novelty, but as legitimate songwriting and production achievements.
Other moments worth noting
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The ceremony also doubled as CBS’ final Grammys broadcast, with the show set to move networks in 2027 (to to ABC, Disney+ and Hulu) — a behind-the-scenes shift that signals a new era for how the awards will be presented.
- Host Trevor Noah returned for his final stint as emcee.
Click here for the full list of winners.
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