The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took over the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles tonight, and the energy was electric as cultural icons and newcomers alike claimed their place in music history. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony was defined by powerful speeches, record-breaking wins, and high-octane performances that will be talked about for weeks.
The broadcast kicked off with a burst of global star power as Rosé and Bruno Mars delivered a high-energy performance of their smash hit “Apt.” Sabrina Carpenter kept the momentum going with an airport-themed rendition of “Manchild,” while a shirtless Justin Bieber brought a more intimate vibe to the stage with “Yukon.” These performances highlighted a night where pop royalty shared the spotlight with the industry’s biggest winners.
Bad Bunny solidified his status as a global powerhouse, taking home the night’s top prize, Album of the Year, for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. In a moving acceptance speech delivered mostly in Spanish, he dedicated the honor to those who leave their homelands to pursue their dreams. He later added a win for Best Música Urbana Album, using the stage to advocate for immigrant humanity with a viral “ICE out” message that brought the crowd to its feet. This win sets the stage perfectly for his Super Bowl Halftime performance next week.
Kendrick Lamar had a monumental evening, officially surpassing Jay-Z to become the winningest rapper in Grammy history. Kendrick swept the rap categories with his album GNX and took home Record of the Year for his Luther Vandross tribute, “Luther.” This win made him the first male artist and first rapper ever to win back-to-back Record of the Year trophies. The moment was briefly interrupted by a comedic stumble from presenter Cher, who nearly walked off stage before reading the nominations.
The “Big Three” categories were rounded out by Billie Eilish and Finneas, who earned their third Song of the Year trophy for “Wildflower.” While accepting, Eilish echoed the night’s theme of advocacy, stating, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Meanwhile, Lady Gaga celebrated her 17th career win as Mayhem took home Best Pop Vocal Album, and Olivia Dean was crowned Best New Artist in a tribute to the bravery of her immigrant grandparents.