The 2026 Grammy Awards returned to a music-focused celebration after last year’s ceremony was dedicated to Los Angeles wildfire relief. The event featured major performances from Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and other international stars, drawing a global audience eager for both artistry and spectacle.
The Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording, beating Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Rufus Wainwright, involved in the project, humorously remarked during his acceptance speech, “I am not the Dalai Lama, but it was a privilege to participate in this project.”
K-pop marked a historic moment as “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters won Song Written for Visual Media at the Premiere Ceremony. The bilingual acceptance speech highlighted the genre’s growing global influence. Meanwhile, Indian artists including Anoushka Shankar, Siddhant Bhatia, Charu Suri, and the legendary band Shakti received nominations but did not secure wins.
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The event also celebrated cinematic contributions, with Steven Spielberg winning his first Grammy for Music for John Williams, completing his EGOT status. Other notable winners included Yungblud for Rock Performance, Turnstile for Rock Album, and FKA twigs for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Lefty Gunplay and Shaboozey & Jelly Roll achieved their first Grammys, with heartfelt speeches recognizing family, community, and immigrant contributions.
Social and political themes were present at the Premiere Ceremony, with artists like Amy Allen, Kehlani, and Gloria Estefan addressing immigration issues and expressing solidarity with marginalized communities. The show also paid tribute to late musicians, including Ozzy Osbourne and Perry Archangelo Bamonte of The Cure, highlighting the ceremony’s reverence for musical legacies.
The main televised show, hosted by Trevor Noah, featured performances from Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Rosé, and the eight nominees for Best New Artist. Presenters included Carole King, Harry Styles, Queen Latifah, and Tyler, the Creator, making the Grammys both a celebration of current talent and a recognition of enduring icons in global music.
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