Olivia Dean & Kendrick Lamar: Grammy's 2026 Highlights

The 68th annual Grammy Awards took place last night in Los Angeles, celebrating the best in music. Olivia Dean, 26, was named Best New Artist, while Kendrick Lamar broke records, surpassing Jay-Z to become the rapper with the most Grammy Awards ever, with a total of 27 wins.

Key Wins and Recognition

Kendrick Lamar received the award for Best Rap Album for his album GNX, stating, “This proves an honor to be here. Hiphop will always be here. We will carry the culture with us.” He also won for his album Luther. Dutch producer Roselilah also contributed to a Grammy-winning track. Puerto Rican singer and rapper Bad Bunny earned two awards for his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, marking the first time a Spanish-language album has received this honor.

Did You Know? The Grammy Awards have been presented 95 times in total.

Billie Eilish won Best Song with Wildflower. Steven Spielberg won his first Grammy for Best Music Film with his documentary Music for John Williams. The K-pop song Golden from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters also received an award, following the film’s two Golden Globe wins last month.

Political Statements at the Ceremony

The Grammy gala also served as a platform for political expression. Host Trevor Noah opened the show with jokes referencing former President Trump. Several attendees wore pins with the message “ICE Out,” including Billie Eilish, to protest U.S. Immigration policies. Bad Bunny began his acceptance speech by saying, “Before I thank God, I say first: ICE out!” Olivia Dean shared that she is the granddaughter of an immigrant, and Billie Eilish stated, “Nobody is illegal on stolen land.”

Expert Insight: The inclusion of political statements at events like the Grammys reflects a growing trend of artists using their platforms to advocate for social and political change, demonstrating the intersection of entertainment, and activism.

The British band The Cure also won an award for Best Alternative Music Performance, with a cover of Black Sabbath performed at Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert. Gloria Estefan’s album Raíces was awarded Best Tropical Latin Album.

Performances and Future Outlook

Numerous artists performed at the ceremony, including Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Lola Young, Bruno Mars, Rosé, Lady Gaga, and Katseye. The increased visibility of artists like Bad Bunny and Roselilah will further broaden the global reach of Latin music. If the trend of artists using the Grammys as a platform for social commentary continues, future ceremonies could see even more overt displays of political expression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards?

Olivia Dean, a British singer, won Best New Artist.

How many Grammy Awards does Kendrick Lamar have?

Kendrick Lamar has 27 Grammy Awards, surpassing Jay-Z’s 25 and becoming the rapper with the most Grammy wins.

Which album won Best Rap Album?

Kendrick Lamar’s album GNX won Best Rap Album.

As the music industry continues to evolve, what role do you think award shows like the Grammys will play in shaping the cultural landscape?

Olivia Dean & Kendrick Lamar: Grammy’s 2026 Highlights