Kendrick Lamar Breaks Records as Most Awarded Rapper Ever at the 68th Grammy Awards
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and hosted by Trevor Noah in his sixth and final year, delivered a night of groundbreaking wins, emotional speeches, and unforgettable performances. Without major showdowns from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, or Adele, the evening highlighted fresh voices and cultural milestones, blending celebration with calls for social justice on immigration and representation.
Bad Bunny capped the night with the most prestigious honor, winning Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS — the first primarily Spanish-language album to claim the prize in Grammy history. In an emotional acceptance speech delivered largely in Spanish, he dedicated the win to immigrants and those pursuing dreams far from home, emphasizing cultural pride and humanity. The victory underscored his global dominance and came just ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance.
Kendrick Lamar dominated with five wins from nine nominations, surpassing Jay-Z to become the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history. He took Record of the Year for "luther" (featuring SZA), a heartfelt tribute sampling Luther Vandross, along with Best Rap Album for GNX, Best Rap Song for "tv off" (featuring Lefty Gunplay), Best Melodic Rap Performance for "luther," and Best Rap Performance for his feature on Clipse's "Chains & Whips" (with Pusha T, Malice, and Pharrell Williams). Lamar's sweep reinforced his status as hip-hop's defining voice.
Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell secured Song of the Year for "WILDFLOWER," marking Eilish's third win in the category and making the siblings the most successful duo there. In her speech, Eilish delivered a powerful message on immigration: "No one is illegal on stolen land... We need to keep fighting, speaking up, and protesting."
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean won Best New Artist in a stacked field, dedicating her victory to her immigrant grandparents and celebrating bravery across generations.
Standout performances included Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, ROSÉ with Bruno Mars, Tyler, The Creator, Clipse featuring Pharrell, and a Best New Artist medley. The night featured tributes to legends, bold red-carpet fashion from stars like Chappell Roan and Doechii, and activist moments from winners addressing ICE and immigrant rights.
