Rapper Kendrick Lamar on Sunday won four Grammys while Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga won two each -- but all three still were in the hunt for history on music's biggest night.
Bad Bunny meanwhile earned cheers as he delivered a powerful political message, ripping the nationwide immigration raids that have polarised America, a pointed theme at the 68th annual Grammy Awards.
"Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say 'ICE out'," Bad Bunny said as he accepted the award for best musica urbana album for his "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" ("I Should Have Taken More Photos").
"We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens; we are humans and we are Americans," the 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer said, one week before he takes one of the world's biggest stages, headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.
Billie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” at the 2026 Grammy Awards and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticising immigration authorities Sunday.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” "(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”
Pharrell Williams accepts the Dr. Dre Global Impact award to during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. © Chris Pizzello, AP
It was a big moment on a night of hard-hitting performances, poignant speeches and one-liners from six-time host Trevor Noah.
Lamar scooped up four awards in the rap categories including best rap album for "GNX," while Gaga won for best pop vocal album and best dance pop recording.
"I just want to say for women in music that I know sometimes when you're in the studio with a bunch of guys, it can be hard. So I urge you to always listen to yourself and always fight for your ideas," Lady Gaga said.
Britain's Olivia Dean was crowned Best New Artist.
Album of the Year showdown
"I'm not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music. It's an honor to be here," said Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize winner.
The 38-year-old California native, who won five Grammys last year thanks to his smash diss track "Not Like Us," is also up for Record of the Year for "Luther" featuring R&B artist SZA.
Standing in Lamar's way for Album of the Year is Bad Bunny, who is in the middle of a world tour, just months after a hugely successful residency in San Juan.
His "Un verano sin ti" (2022) was the first Spanish-language album nominated for Album of the Year honors. A win on Sunday would give Bad Bunny another mention in the history books.
Lady Gaga, 39, made a splashy comeback to touring with "Mayhem," her collection of pop bangers with a dark edge that embraces her dramatic side. She has seven nominations.
Cirkut and Lady Gaga embrace after accepting the award for best pop vocal album for "Mayhem" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026 © Chris Pizzello, AP
A win for Album of the Year would complete her hat trick of top awards.
She took Record and Song of the Year honors seven years ago for the soundtrack hit "Shallow," from "A Star is Born" -- which also earned her an Oscar.
Also nominated for Album of the Year are: pop princess Sabrina Carpenter; R&B singer-songwriter Leon Thomas; Tyler, the Creator; hip-hop duo Clipse (Pusha T and Malice); and Bieber -- with his first studio effort in four years.
Big performances
Noah repeatedly joked with the 31-year-old Latin megastar, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, about not performing due to Super Bowl contractual restrictions -- and even sang a few bars in Spanish himself before Bad Bunny indulged with a short verse.
K-pop singer Rose and Bruno Mars kicked off the proceedings with a high-octane performance of "APT.," before Noah took to the stage.
Lady Gaga offered an energetic version of "Abracadabra" and Justin Bieber stripped to his boxers for his turn on stage.
Bruno Mars performs "I Just Might" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. © Chris Pizzello, AP
Reba McEntire and Lauryn Hill sang in honor of those who died over the last year in the world of music. Late rocker Ozzy Osbourne's wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack looked on as Post Malone paid tribute.
"Golden," from the Netflix animated smash hit "KPop Demon Hunters," won the prize for best song written for visual media, and top Oscar nominee "Sinners" won two soundtrack awards.
The majority of the 95 awards were handed out at a pre-gala ceremony before the televised broadcast.
Joni Mitchell -- one of several attendees wearing an "ICE OUT" pin in protest of US President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown -- took a prize for best historical album.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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