It was another glittering ceremony at the 68th annual GRAMMY Awards Ceremony held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by comedian Trevor Noah for his six year streak as the frontman of the evening, it was a night of firsts and lasts with the announcement of 2026 being the last year CBS will broadcast the event. Adding to the bittersweet overtone of the night was the recognition of recently passed music legends, including the metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, the heart of Neo-soul that was D’Angelo and the powerhouse of Roberta Flack amidst a generous amount of other individuals lost to 2025 who contributed to building and supporting the backbone of the industry. In looking forward to impassioned tribute performances to forever classics, there was also no shortage of excitement for new favorites as highlighted in the Best New Artist award category. With thrilling nominations, unforgettable fashion and breathless musical moments, it was a force of an event to decorate the biggest stars, new and matured, in music today. 

 Kicking off the ceremony was a rock-oriented extravaganza of ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ hit single “APT,” nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It was an electric jumpstart to the evening that featured some serious close-up camera work that translated the opening energy for viewers at home. It was not even ten minutes into the night and we were already trying to catch our breath. 

Following this first performance was beloved host Trevor Noah’s anticipated opening monologue that was nothing short of its familiar wise-crack theme and heartfelt recognition of his star-studded audience as he revealed, “I swear I am on the red carpet.” He interacted with several of his high-profile peers, including Jelly Roll and Miley Cyrus, before introducing the next performance. It was good to laugh with him again this year, and set in stone the fact that he will be dearly missed as host next year. 

Sabrina Carpenter stunned on stage as always with another elaborate set to sing from. Her fantasy this time was airborne, performing her four-time nominated single “Manchild” in an airline-themed production that featured an on-stage airplane with a conveyor belt and plenty of male baggage to carry. Carpenter was the captain of her own ship in an all white laced up pilot’s uniform that was perfectly short and sweet, while her male dancing companions suited different career paths such as a surgeon, a fireman and an astronaut among others. It was a strong entrance into the highly anticipated night for the singer who was facing six nominations, including Best Pop Solo Performance,  Best Music Video, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Manchild” in addition to Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for Man’s Best Friend.

Presenting the first GRAMMY of the official ceremony was the esteemed Queen Latifah and five-time-nominee-of-the-night Doechii (nominated for Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year – all for “Anxiety”). After running through the explosive list of nominees – Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice, GLORIOUS by GloRilla, God Does Like Ugly by JID, GNX by Kendrick Lamar and CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator – they bestowed the award to Kendrick Lamar for GNX, which marks the rapper’s twenty-fifth GRAMMY. Regarding his speech, Lamar was reserved, revealing that his emotions are best expressed in his music. An acknowledgement to his fellow nominees and gratitude to God and the first award presentation was complete. 

Next up was an exhilarating live presentation of the nominees for Best New Artist, beginning with the Marías and their performance of  “No One Noticed.” Instead of having a traditional reading of names, it was decided to showcase why these fresh faces stand out, with a live demonstration of their top songs that flowed into one another. Beginning with the dreamy introduction of the Marías, Addison Rae quickly flooded the scene backstage with “Fame is a Gun,” before Katseye jumped in from the other side with the fierce “Gnarly.” Things took a turn in groove with Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” before things really slowed down for Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” and Lola Young’s piano rendition of “Messy.” The energy shot back up with Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” and culminated in the rush of Sombr’s “12 to 12.” It was hard to predict who could leave the stage with the award after such mesmerizing performances from all seven nominees, but Olivia Dean took the cake. Her icing was her heartfelt speech about being the daughter of an immigrant whom she acknowledged as a product of bravery and one of many who deserve to be celebrated. It was the first of many statements to be made about the ongoing immigration tensions in the country. The GRAMMY was presented by Chappell Roan (Nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year – both for “The Subway”) who was the recipient of last year’s award.

 Trevor Noah gave a personal shoutout to Bad Bunny, (Nominated for Best Album Cover, Best Global Music Performance, Best Música Urbana Album, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year) sitting next to the artist and questioning him about his contract with the Superbowl. Since he will be performing at the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show, he is not able to perform at any other event. Noah was woefully disappointed. 

The next performance was another highly awaited appearance from a veteran of the stage. Celebrating fifteen years since his GRAMMY debut at just sixteen years old, Justin Bieber (Nominated for Best R&B Performance for Yukon, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Daisies,” Best Pop Vocal Album for Swag and Album of the Year for Swag) performed “Yukon.” In just a pair of socks and boxes, the singer brought a literally stripped-down approach to the stage that had all in awe, including his very proud wife, Hailey Bieber, who was filmed generously throughout the performance sporting a contagious ear-to-ear grin. 

SNL comedian Marcello Hernandez and Karol G presented the GRAMMY for Best Música Urbana Album to Bad Bunny for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Runner ups included Mixteip by J Balvin, FERXXO VOL X: Sagrado by Feid, NAIKI by Nicki Nicole, EUB DELUXE by Trueno and SINFÓNICO (En Vivo) by Yandel. Bad Bunny added to the long list of warm receptions with another statement on immigration and the importance of love – “The only thing more powerful than hate is love. If we fight we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them, we love them. We love our people, we love our family. Thank you, God.” 

Lainey Wilson and Jeff Goldblum presented the GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Country Album to Jelly Roll for Beautifully Broken among the other nominees – Patterns by Kelsea Ballerini, Snipe Hunter by Tyler Childers, Evangeline Vs. The Machine by Eric Church and Postcards From Texas by Miranda Lambert. He also gave a thunderous shoutout to his Christian faith and his wife for the immense changes that led to the creation of his award-winning album. Following the outpour of faith, Noah commented, “My mom is gonna love the show now.”

Trevor Noah highlighted Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson for her nomination for Best Audiobook. Narration, and Storytelling for Lovely One: A Memoir, which was awarded earlier at the GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony to the Dalai Lama for Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. 

Fifteen time GRAMMY-award winner Lady Gaga (Nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording for “Abracadabra” and Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem) performed the eccentric nominated “Abracadabra” in a fury of smoke and strobe-lights adorned by a wildly-crafted wicker headdress. It charged the buildup for the presentation of the next award that her name was on the list for. 

Lady Gaga won her sixteenth GRAMMY for Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem presented by 2025-26 Golden Globes host Nikki Glazer and Teyana Taylor (Nominated for Best R&B Album for Escape Room). Rest of the nominees included SWAG by Justin Bieber, Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter, Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus and I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) by Teddy Swims. She thanked her producer Cirkut, who was awarded at the GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, and Gesaffelstein, who was also awarded at the Premiere Ceremony for Best Remixed Recording for “Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix).” Her speech included the encouragement for young women artists to advocate for themselves in the studio filled with a bunch of guys. 

Bruno Mars returned to the groove on stage with a jazz ensemble decked out in bright red suits for the performance of his brand new single “I Just Might” from his upcoming album, The Romantic. It was all smooth vocals and moves that Noah was sure to celebrate, commenting on the energy of the crowd for Mars, particularly Joni Mitchell whom he also congratulated for her earlier accepted award for Best Historical Album for Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980) at the Premiere Ceremony. 

The three-time GRAMMY-award winning BRAT Charlie XCX presented the award for Best Pop Solo Performance to Lola Young (Nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Solo Performance) for “Messy.” The awarded rookie was overwhelmed and proved that seeing someone overcome with joy for a hard-earned win never gets old. 

Trevor Noah attempted to sweet talk Bad Bunny into performing again by speaking the lyrics to his nomination for Song of the Year and Record of the Year,  “DtMF,” in English. He then had a band file into to play a few notes to which the singer couldn’t resist for a few seconds. Noah laughed claiming his lawsuit for breaking his contract would not be his fault.

The four-time Grammy winner Carole King presented the award for Song of the Year to Billie Eilish O’Connell (also nominated for Record of the Year) & Finneas O’Connell for “WILDFLOWER.” Another overwhelmed reception, Eilish also focused her speech on the ongoing tensions, declaring, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” 

It was due time for another mind-blowing performance from none other than Tyler, The Creator.

Beginning with “Thought I Was Dead” from Chromakopia, we see a masked Tyler that is supposed to be the real rapper, until he is run over by a hot red car by the real Tyler who break dances  to “Sugar on my Tongue.”  This Tyler, too, falls to his fate after blowing up the set’s gas station, running down the stairs to only to collapse on the holy carpet where the stars have been standing all night. 

Pharrell was awarded Dr. Dre’s Global Impact award by Q-Tip for his contributions and influence in music, style and culture. The thirteen GRAMMY Award winner and Creative Director of Louis Vuitton (Nominated for Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out as producer, Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips” with Clipse and Kendrick Lamar, Best Rap Song for “The Birds Don’t Sing” as producer/songwriter and Best Music Film for Piece By Piece) thanked Q-Tip as a mentor and “everyone who believes in the power of black music.”

Next was a series of captivating tribute speeches and performances for those recently passed in the music industry. Leading the way was Bruce Springsteen in a video monologue to the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson who “defined the myth and our dreams of California.” John Mayer did the same for Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir. Live performance tributes began with Reba McEntire in her GRAMMY performance debut with Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson in the unified singing of “Trailblazer.” Post Malone, Slash, Chad Smith and Duff McKagan followed with a fire-filled performance of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” with Ozzie Osbourne’s picture leading the lot of the lost and cherished, including Clem Burke of Blondie. The finale of tribute performances reached its peak with Lauryn Hill’s tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack with a whopping handful of supporting artists such as Jon Batiste, Leon Bridges, John Legend and Wyclef Jean. It was an impassioned vision of a performance to witness that was made all the more heart-wrenching as Hill performed her and D’Angelo’s song, “Nothing Even Matters,” which the two never had the chance to perform together. This performance was the reason for Hill’s return to the GRAMMY stage after a twenty-seven-year hiatus. The last of the tributes concluded with another spoken word monologue for Sly Stone by Chaka Khan.

Jennifer Jimenez of South Miami Senior High School was recognized as Music Educator of the Year.

The CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., gave a speech about the power and prevalence of music and introduced this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, whose past acceptees include Whitney Houston and Paul Simon, to the glamorous Cher who also returned to the stage from a long break of eighteen years. Trevor Noah presented the award to the chicly accomplished singer, who spent some time reflecting on the highs and lows of her career. 

Just as Cher was ready to embrace her long-awaited return to the stage, she was also ready to leave it before Trevor Noah reminded her that she was the presenter for one of the last awards of the night: Record of the Year. “I could do it but it’s not the same,” noted Noah. Cher quickly turned around to announce this year’s nominees: “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Anxiety” by Doechii, “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish, “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA, “The Subway” by Chappell Roan And  “APT.” by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars. Kendrick Lamar and SZA took it home surrounded by their producers Jack Antonoff and Sounwave. Lamer still remained reserved in this speech, claiming that this was a very special and emotional record for him to make with the feature of a Luther Vandross sample who is his favorite artist of all time. SZA chimed in with charm as well, adding a further message of hope by stating, “We are not governed by the government, we are governed by God.” 

Alluding to the Cher mishap, Trevor Noah declared his love for live television. 

The last performance of the night was “So Far Ahead” performed by Clipse (Pusha T and Malice) and Pharrell Williams from the Album of the Year nominated album, Let God Sort Em Out. It was a one-last hurrah of energy with a full gospel chair and finale of a snow storm. 

The last award of the night was Album of The Year presented by the 2023 winner Harry Styles. The nominations were tight: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny, SWAG by Justin Bieber, Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter, Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice,  MAYHEM by Lady Gaga, GNX by Kendrick Lamar, MUTT by Leon Thomas and CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator. Bad Bunny took it home with a stunned speech of gratitude in Spanish. In English, he dedicated the award to those who “had to leave their country to pursue their dreams.” It was another well-earned Gramophone and it was a satisfying conclusion to an exciting night. 

Trevor Noah gave a warm farewell to the stage. He will miss his best seat in the house and we will miss him.

It was a splendid evening in Los Angeles and we wouldn’t want to spend it any way else with anyone else. Congratulations to every nominee and award recipient, and thank you for all you do to make the music world go round in the way that it does. It sounds beautiful.

Winner’s List:

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

Album of the Year: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny

Record of the Year: “luther” – Kendrick Lamar with SZA

Song of the Year: “WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell

Best Album Cover: CHROMAKOPIA – Shaun Llewellyn & Luis “Panch” Perez, art directors (Tyler, The Creator)

Best Music Video: “Anxiety” – Doechii; James Mackel, video director; Pablo Feldman, Jolene Mendes & Sophia Sabella, video producers

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Cirkut

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: Amy Allen

Producer of the Year, Classical: Elaine Martone

Best Pop Vocal Album: MAYHEM – Lady Gaga

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Messy” – Lola Young

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande

Best Dance Pop Recording: “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: A Matter Of Time –  Laufey

Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “End of Summer” – Tame Impala

Best Dance/Electronic Album: EUSEXUA – FKA twigs

Best Remixed Recording: “Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix)” –”Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix)” – Gesaffelstein, remixer (Lady Gaga, Gesaffelstein)

Best Rap Album: GNX – Kendrick Lamar

Best Rap Song:  “tv off” – Jack Antonoff, Larry Jayy, Kendrick Lamar, Dijon McFarlane, Sean Momberger, Mark Anthony Spears & Kamasi Washington, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar feat. Lefty Gunplay)

Best Rap Performance: “Chains & Whips” – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice feat. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams

Best Melodic Rap Performance: “luther” – Kendrick Lamar with SZA

Best Rock Album: NEVER ENOUGH – Turnstile

Best Rock Song: “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (Nine Inch Nails)

Best Rock Performance: “Changes (Live From Villa Park/ Back To The Beginning)” – YUNGBLUD feat. Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II

Best Metal Performance: “BIRDS” by Turnstile

Best Alternative Music Album: Songs Of A Lost World  – The Cure

Best Alternative Music Performance: “Alone” – The Cure

Best R&B Album: MUTT – Leon Thomas

Best Progressive R&B Album: BLOOM – Durand Bernarr

Best R&B Song: “Folded” – Darius Dixson, Andre Harris, Kehlani Parrish, Donovan Knight, Don Mills, Khris Riddick-Tynes & Dawit Kamal Wilson, songwriters (Kehlani)

Best R&B Performance: “Folded” – Kehlani

Best Traditional R&B Performance: “VIBES DON’T LIE” – Leon Thomas

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: Words For Days Vol. 1 – Mad Skillz

Best Jazz Performance: “Windows – Live” – Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade

Best Jazz Vocal Album:  Portrait – Samara Joy

Best Jazz Instrumental Album:  Southern Nights – Sullivan Fortner Featuring Peter Washington & Marcus Gilmore

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Without Further Ado, Vol 1 – Christian McBride Big Band

Best Latin Jazz Album: A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole – Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro

Best Alternative Jazz Album: LIVE-ACTION – Nate Smith

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Brightside – ARKAI

Best Musical Theater Album: Buena Vista Social Club

Best Contemporary Country Album: Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll

Best Traditional Country Album: Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top

Best Country Song: “Bitin’ List” -Tyler Childers

Best Country Solo Performance:”Bad As I Used To Be” [From F1 The Movie] – Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll

Best Americana Album: BIG MONEY – Jon Batiste

Best Americana Performance: “Godspeed” – Mavis Staples

Best American Roots Song: “Ancient Light” – Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins, songwriters (I’m With Her)

Best American Roots Performance:  “Beautiful Strangers” – Mavis Staples

Best Bluegrass Album: Highway Prayers – Billy Strings

Best Contemporary Blues Album: Preacher Kids – Robert Randolph

Best Traditional Blues Album:  Ain’t Done With The Blues – Buddy Guy

Best Folk Album: Wild And Clear And Blue – I’m With Her

Best Regional Roots Music Album: A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco – (Various Artists)

Best Gospel Album: Heart of Mine – Darrel Walls, PJ Morton

Best Roots Gospel Album: I Will Not Be Moved (Live) – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Best Gospel Performance/Song: “Come Jesus Come” – Cece Winans Featuring Shirley Caesar

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: Coritos Vol. 1 – Israel & New Breed

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake With Jelly Roll; Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Jason Bradley Deford & Brandon Lake, songwriters

Best Latin Pop Album: Cancionera – Natalia Lafourcade

Best Música Urbana Album: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album: PAPOTA – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano): Palabra De To’s (Seca) – Carín León

Best Tropical Latin Album: Raíces – Gloria Estefan

Best Global Music Album: Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo – Caetano Veloso And Maria Bethânia

Best Global Music Performance: “EoO” – Bad Bunny

Best African Music Performance: “PUSH 2 START” – Tyla

Best Reggae Album: BLXXD & FYAH – Keznamdi

Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album: Nomadica – Carla Patullo Featuring The Scorchio Quartet & Tonality

Best Comedy Album: Your Friend, Nate Bargatze – Nate Bargatze

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording: Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama – Dalai Lama

Best Children’s Music Album: Harmony – FYÜTCH & Aura V

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media: Sinners (Various Artists)

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television): Sinners – Ludwig Göransson

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media: Sword of the Sea – Austin Wintory

Best Song Written for Visual Media: “Golden” [From KPop Demon Hunters] – EJAE & Mark Sonnenblick, songwriters (HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI)

Best Music Film: Music By John Williams (John Williams) – Laurent Bouzereau, video director; Sara Bernstein, Laurent Bouzereau, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Meredith Kaulfers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg & Justin Wilkes, video producers

Best Recording Package: Tracks II: The Lost Albums – Meghan Foley & Michelle Holme, art directors (Bruce Springsteen)

Best Album Notes: Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings – Ashley Kahn, album notes writer (Miles Davis)

Best Historical Album: Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) – Patrick Milligan & Joni Mitchell, compilation producers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Joni Mitchell)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: That Wasn’t A Dream – Joseph Lorge & Blake Mills, engineers; Patricia Sullivan, mastering engineer (Pino Palladino, Blake Mills)

Best Engineered Album, Classical: Cerrone: Don’t Look Down – Mike Tierney, engineer; Alan Silverman, mastering engineer (Sandbox Percussion)

Best Immersive Audio Album: Immersed – Justin Gray, immersive mix engineer; Michael Romanowski, immersive mastering engineer; Justin Gray, Drew Jurecka & Morten Lindberg, immersive producers (Justin Gray)

Best Instrumental Composition: “First Snow” – Remy Le Boeuf, composer (Nordkraft Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf & Danielle Wertz)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella: “Super Mario Praise Break” – Bryan Carter, Charlie Rosen & Matthew Whitaker, arrangers (The 8-Bit Big Band)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals: “Big Fish” – Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick, Nate Smith & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (Nate Smith feat. säje)

Best Orchestral Performance:  Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie – Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)

Best Opera Recording: Heggie: Intelligence – Kwamé Ryan, conductor; Jamie Barton, J’Nai Bridges & Janai Brugger; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Houston Grand Opera; Gene Scheer)

Best Choral Performance: Ortiz: Yanga – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Grant Gershon, chorus master (Los Angeles Philharmonic & Tambuco Percussion Ensemble; Los Angeles Master Chorale)

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: Dennehy: Land Of Winter – Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound

Best Classical Instrumental Solo: Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos – Yo-Yo Ma; Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: Telemann: Ino – Opera Arias For Soprano – Amanda Forsythe, soloist; Robert Mealy, Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors (Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra)

Best Classical Compendium: Ortiz: Yanga – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Dmitriy Lipay, producer

Best Contemporary Classical Composition:  Ortiz: Dzonot – Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Alisa Weilerstein, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)