Record-Breaking Achievements and Historical Milestones at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards

On February 1, 2026, the music industry gathered at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. This marked the 23rd time the prestigious venue hosted the event, which was broadcast live on CBS. South African comedian Trevor Noah returned to the stage as host for the sixth year in a row, guiding the audience through a night celebrating the finest musical contributions released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Notably, Noah highlighted that this ceremony represented the final year of CBS's broadcasting tenure before the show transitions to Disney platforms in 2027.

Kendrick Lamar emerged as the evening's most dominant force, securing five Grammy trophies. His accolades included Record of the Year for "luther," a collaborative track featuring SZA, and Best Rap Album for his project GNX. These victories propelled Lamar's career total to 26 Grammys, officially surpassing Jay-Z’s record of 25 and establishing him as the most decorated rapper in the history of the Recording Academy. The award-winning track "luther," co-produced by Roswitha Bacha (known as Roselila), also earned the title of Best Melodic Rap Performance.

A significant milestone in the history of the awards was reached when Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny took home the night's top honor. His record Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first album recorded entirely in Spanish to win the coveted Album of the Year award, a testament to the surging global dominance of Latin music. During his acceptance speech, Bad Bunny utilized his platform to address social issues, stating, "Before I thank God, I want to say first: ICE must go." In addition to the top prize, his work was recognized as the Best Música Urbana Album.

The sibling duo of Billie Eilish and Finneas continued their remarkable winning streak by taking home Song of the Year for "Wildflower." This victory marked their third win in this specific category, further cementing their legacy. The artists also made a bold political statement, appearing on stage wearing "ICE Out" pins and declaring, "No one is illegal on stolen land." Meanwhile, British singer Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, delivering a moving speech where she remarked, "I stand here as the granddaughter of an immigrant. I am a product of courage."

The 68th ceremony was also defined by unforgettable performances and industry shifts. Justin Bieber made a highly anticipated return to the stage after a four-year hiatus to perform his new single, "YUKON." Another emotional highlight was the appearance of Lauryn Hill, who performed for the first time in 25 years as part of a tribute to the artists lost in 2025. The Recording Academy introduced two new categories this year: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, with the latter being awarded to Tyler, The Creator for Chromakopia. Additionally, legendary director Steven Spielberg joined the elite EGOT circle, becoming the 22nd person to achieve the status after winning a Grammy for Best Music Film for Music by John Williams.