The 68th Grammy Awards unfolded Sunday night at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, delivering a ceremony marked by historic victories, high-profile performances, and pointed political commentary. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the show brought together the industry’s biggest names for a night that reflected both the current state of music and the cultural climate surrounding it.

Bad Bunny emerged as one of the evening’s defining figures, winning Album of the Year just one week before his scheduled Super Bowl halftime performance. The win marked a historic first for the Recording Academy, as it was the first time an all-Spanish-language album claimed the show’s top honor. Overcome with emotion, the Puerto Rican artist paused onstage before dedicating the award to “all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.”

Kendrick Lamar continued his dominant run at the Grammys, taking home Best Rap Album and Record of the Year for “Luther,” his collaboration with SZA. The latter win came with an unexpected moment when Cher, presenting the award following her Lifetime Achievement honor, initially forgot to announce the winner before mistakenly naming “Luther Vandross” instead of the song inspired by him. The moment quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about mishaps.

Political statements were a recurring theme throughout the ceremony. Billie Eilish, accepting Song of the Year for “Wildflower,” used her speech to criticize U.S. immigration policies, declaring, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Her remarks echoed sentiments expressed earlier in the night by several winners, including Bad Bunny, who also called out Immigration and Customs Enforcement during his acceptance speech for Best Música Urbana Album.

Best New Artist went to Olivia Dean, who highlighted her own family history during her speech. “I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant,” she said, emphasizing the role immigration has played in shaping lives and creative futures.

Fellow nominee Alex Warren later addressed technical difficulties during his performance, receiving public support from artists including Demi Lovato and Brandi Carlile.

The night also delivered headline-making performances. Lady Gaga brought a gothic reinterpretation of “Abracadabra,” Sabrina Carpenter staged a theatrical medley dressed as a flight attendant, and Justin Bieber returned to the Grammy stage with a stripped-down performance of “Yukon,” his first major live appearance in four years.

Trevor Noah’s hosting balanced humor and commentary, including pointed jokes during his opening monologue and a recurring bit teasing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance restrictions, which culminated in a brief, playful onstage musical moment.

By the end of the night, the 2026 Grammys stood as more than an awards show. They became a reflection of an industry willing to engage with cultural and political realities, while celebrating artists who continue to reshape music on a global scale.