Grammys 2026: Triumphs, Snubs, and the Eternal Debate Over Who Really Deserved the Gold

In the glittering chaos of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, music's biggest night unfolded like a high-stakes poker game where history was the pot and politics the wild card. Trevor Noah hosted for the sixth—and reportedly final—time, cracking jokes about everything from AI-generated hits to the elephant in the room: America's fraught immigration debates. With pins reading "ICE OUT" and "BE GOOD" dotting lapels, and speeches laced with pointed commentary, the evening wasn't just about the tunes—it was a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) rally cry. Bad Bunny, fresh off his album's blockbuster success and gearing up for a Super Bowl halftime headline, walked away with Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, making him the first artist ever to snag the top prize with a non-English-language record. Kendrick Lamar, riding the wave from last year's dominance, added five more Grammys to his tally, surpassing Jay-Z as the most-awarded rapper in history with 27 wins total. Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas made their own mark, becoming the first songwriters to claim Song of the Year three times. And in a field stacked with fresh faces, British soul sensation Olivia Dean emerged as Best New Artist.

But let's be real: the Grammys have never been a pure meritocracy. They're a blend of industry politics, streaming numbers, critical buzz, and that intangible "moment" factor. This year, with no Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, or Adele dominating the narrative for the first time in over a decade, the field felt wide open—and the results sparked the usual firestorm of debates. Did Bad Bunny's win signal a long-overdue embrace of global sounds, or was it a timely political statement amid anti-immigrant rhetoric? Was Kendrick's haul a rightful coronation, or did it overlook other rap heavyweights? And Billie snatching Song of the Year over heavy favorites—really? We'll dissect the big wins category by category, weighing the facts on sales, reviews, cultural impact, and yes, those lingering snubs. Buckle up; this recap clocks in at essay length because, hey, the Grammys deserve nothing less.

The Big Four: Where Legends Are Made (or Snubbed)

The Grammys' "Big Four" categories—Album, Record, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist—are the crown jewels, often defining careers. This year, they delivered history, upsets, and plenty of fodder for think pieces.

Album of the Year: Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny

Winner: Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos Key Nominees: Justin Bieber – Swag, Sabrina Carpenter – Man's Best Friend, Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out, Lady Gaga – Mayhem, Kendrick Lamar – GNX, Leon Thomas – Mutt, Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

Bad Bunny's victory was a seismic shift, the first time a Spanish-language album has claimed the top honor. Released in March 2025, Debí Tirar Más Fotos (translated as "I Should Have Taken More Photos") is a sprawling, eclectic opus that fuses reggaeton, salsa, bachata, jibaro folk, and electro-pop into a commentary on Puerto Rican identity and U.S. colonialism. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, racking up over 1.2 billion global streams in its first month alone, and critics hailed it as a "head-spinning" fusion of past and present. Rolling Stone and Billboard both named it the best album of 2025, praising its live orchestra elements and pointed lyrics.

Did he deserve it? Absolutely, on merit. The album's innovation and cultural resonance outshone competitors like Gaga's synth-heavy Mayhem (which won Best Pop Vocal Album but felt like a retread of her Chromatica era) or Lamar's GNX, which, while chart-dominating—its tracks occupied the entire U.S. Top 5 upon release—leaned more on rap bravado than genre-blending ambition. Critics like those at The Guardian argued the win was no upset, given its acclaim and sales. But in a politically charged year, with Trump-era deportation spikes and Bad Bunny's outspoken activism (he'd criticized U.S. policies toward Puerto Rico), some saw it as the Academy's nod to diversity amid anti-ICE sentiments at the show. The New York Times noted the timing, with Bad Bunny choking up in his speech about representation. Snubbed? Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia won Best Album Cover in a new category, but its experimental vibes might have been too niche for the big prize. Overall, this win feels earned, not engineered— a step forward for a Grammys often criticized for Anglo-centrism.

Record of the Year: "Luther" – Kendrick Lamar with SZA

Winner: Kendrick Lamar with SZA – "Luther" Key Nominees: Bad Bunny – "DtMF", Sabrina Carpenter – "Manchild", Doechii – "Anxiety", Billie Eilish – "Wildflower", Lady Gaga – "Abracadabra", Chappell Roan – "The Subway", Rosé & Bruno Mars – "APT."

Inspired by Luther Vandross and sampling his "If This World Were Mine," "Luther" is a soulful rap-R&B hybrid from Lamar's GNX, exploring vulnerability and legacy. It topped the Hot 100 for three weeks, amassing 800 million streams, and critics called it a "potent tribute." Lamar's back-to-back Record wins (following "Not Like Us" in 2025) cement his dominance.

Deserved? Yes, but with caveats. The track's production—featuring Jack Antonoff and Kamasi Washington—elevates it beyond standard rap fare, earning praise for its emotional depth. However, the announcement was a mess: Presenter Cher nearly walked off stage before naming "Luther Vandross" as the winner, causing confusion. Some critics, like those at Vulture, felt Doechii's "Anxiety" (which won Best Music Video) was snubbed for its raw introspection on mental health, backed by 500 million streams and universal acclaim. Gaga's "Abracadabra" won Best Dance-Pop Recording, but its pop sheen might have split votes. Lamar's haul feels justified by his year's momentum, but in a stacked field, it underscores the Grammys' love for established stars over bold newcomers.

Song of the Year: "Wildflower" – Billie Eilish (Songwriters: Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell)

Winner: Billie Eilish – "Wildflower" Key Nominees: Lady Gaga – "Abracadabra", Doechii – "Anxiety", Rosé & Bruno Mars – "APT.", Bad Bunny – "DtMF", Huntr/x – "Golden" (from KPop: Demon Hunters), Kendrick Lamar with SZA – "Luther", Sabrina Carpenter – "Manchild"

From Eilish's 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft (nominated last year, but the single qualified this cycle), "Wildflower" is a haunting ballad about fleeting romance, with minimalist production and Eilish's whispery vocals. It hit No. 3 on the Hot 100, with 1 billion streams, and critics lauded its lyrical maturity. This third SOTY win for the siblings (after "Bad Guy" and "What Was I Made For?") is unprecedented.

Did they deserve it? It was a massive upset—many predicted "Golden" from Netflix's KPop: Demon Hunters, which won Best Song Written for Visual Media and marked K-pop's first Grammy. The Los Angeles Times called it "a huge upset," noting Eilish's surprised speech where she declared, "No one is illegal on stolen land." Critics argue "Wildflower's" eligibility quirk (album vs. single timing) gave it an edge, but its songwriting craft—poetic vulnerability—holds up. Snubbed: "Luther," with its sampling genius, or "Anxiety," praised for raw honesty. Still, Eilish's win reinforces her as a generational talent, even if it ruffled feathers.

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

Winner: Olivia Dean Key Nominees: KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young

The 26-year-old Londoner, blending soul, jazz, and pop, broke through with her debut Mess of a Machine in 2025, hitting UK Top 10 and earning raves for live prowess. NPR praised the strong field, but Dean's win was "obvious" due to her vocal range and storytelling.

Deserved? Spot on. In a medley performance that let all nominees shine—Addison Rae's "Fame Is a Gun" stole scenes—Dean's poise stood out. Critics at Vulture called her the "scene-stealer," and her win avoids the "curse" that plagued past victors. Snubbed: Lola Young, who won Best Pop Solo for "Messy," or Leon Thomas, whose Mutt took Best R&B Album. But Dean's global appeal and critical darling status make this a smart pick.

Pop Powerhouses: Gaga's Reign and Young Blood

Pop categories showcased veterans and risers, with political edges.

Best Pop Vocal Album: Mayhem – Lady Gaga

Winner: Lady Gaga – Mayhem Key Nominees: (Not fully listed, but included Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend)

Gaga's seventh studio album, a dance-pop explosion with hits like "Abracadabra" (which won Best Dance-Pop Recording), debuted at No. 1 with 400,000 units. Critics loved its production by Cirkut (who won Producer of the Year) and empowerment anthems.

Deserved? Gaga urged women producers in her speech, a fitting cap to an album hailed as her best since Born This Way. But some felt Carpenter's more youthful vibe was overlooked. Still, Gaga's seven noms and wins across pop/dance affirm her enduring force.

Best Pop Solo Performance: "Messy" – Lola Young

Winner: Lola Young – "Messy" Key Nominees: Justin Bieber – "DAISIES", etc.

Young's gritty breakup anthem, from her debut, showcased her raw vocals in the New Artist medley.

Deserved? After a hiatus for mental health, her return was triumphant; Vulture praised her performance. Bieber's stripped "Yukon" was a highlight, but Young's edge won out.

Rap Royalty: Kendrick's Sweep

Best Rap Album: GNX – Kendrick Lamar

Winner: Kendrick Lamar – GNX Key Nominees: Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out, GloRilla – GLORIOUS, JID – God Does Like Ugly, Tyler, the Creator – CHROMAKOPIA

Lamar's sixth album dominated charts and critics, with The Guardian calling it "quite how good."

Deserved? Undeniably—his beef with Drake aside, GNX's innovation and sales (Top 5 lockdown) sealed it. Clipse's Pharrell collab won Best Rap Performance for "Chains & Whips," but Lamar's momentum was unstoppable.

Other rap wins: "TV Off" (ft. Lefty Gunplay) for Best Rap Song, "Luther" for Best Melodic Rap.

R&B, Rock, and Beyond: Hidden Gems

Best R&B Album went to Leon Thomas' Mutt, with Kehlani sweeping Performance and Song for "Folded." Deserved? Thomas' soulful debut edged out, but Kehlani's "Fuck ICE" speech stole the pre-show thunder.

In rock, Turnstile's Never Enough won Best Rock Album, their "Birds" taking Best Metal Performance. The Cure's first Grammys for Songs of a Lost World felt overdue.

Country: Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken (Contemporary), Zach Top's Ain’t In It for My Health (Traditional). Jelly's speech: "Jesus is for everybody!"

Global: Bad Bunny added Best Música Urbana and Best Global Music Performance.

The Night's Vibes: Performances, Politics, and Parting Shots

Performances ranged from Bieber's bare-chested "Yukon" (a hushed standout) to the New Artist medley and Lauryn Hill's triumphant return. Politics permeated: Eilish's land acknowledgment, anti-ICE pins, and Bad Bunny's emotional nod to immigrants.

Snubs? Gaga for Big Four, Doechii overall. Wins like FKA twigs' Eusexua (Best Dance/Electronic) felt fresh. Reddit threads decried "rigging," but facts show merit drove most.

In the end, 2026's Grammys proved music's evolution—global, political, and unapologetic. Whether every win "deserved" it? That's the beauty of debate. Until next year.