Celebrating Musical Excellence: A Night of Triumphs at the 2026 Grammys
The Inaugural Ceremony: Kicking Off the Celebrations
The Grammy festivities began with the Premiere Ceremony, an event dedicated to honoring a wide array of categories. Hosted by Darren Criss, this initial segment showcased diverse musical performances and set an enthusiastic tone for the evening. Criss emphasized the profound significance of the awards, acknowledging the immense dedication and passion inherent in the creation of music, whether it resonates globally or transforms a single individual's moment.
Early Victories and Memorable Moments
Among the initial honorees were Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who secured a win for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with their rendition of “Defying Gravity.” Doechii was recognized for Best Music Video for “Anxiety,” while the track “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters claimed the Best Song Written for Visual Media award. Lady Gaga also earned an early victory for Best Dance Pop Recording with “Abracadabra.”
R&B and Rap Triumphs
The R&B categories saw Leon Thomas take home the award for Best R&B Album for MUTT. In the rap categories, Kendrick Lamar and SZA celebrated a win for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “luther,” and Shaboozey alongside Jelly Roll were honored for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with “Amen.” The film Sinners received recognition for both Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Steven Spielberg's Prestigious Achievement
A particularly noteworthy moment of the evening was Steven Spielberg's attainment of EGOT status. The acclaimed filmmaker secured his first Grammy Award for producing the Music By John Williams documentary, which won in the Best Music Film category, adding a Grammy to his Emmy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
Performance Highlights and New Categories
The Premiere Ceremony also featured captivating performances by artists such as Zara Larsson and Spiritbox. This year's Grammys introduced two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, reflecting the evolving landscape of the music industry. The Best Country Album category was consequently rebranded as Best Contemporary Country Album, and several packaging-related awards were consolidated.
Leading Nominees and Anticipated Performances
Kendrick Lamar led the nominations with nine nods, including for Album, Record, and Song of the Year, for his album GNX and its hit single “Luther.” Lady Gaga followed with seven nominations, while Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter each received six. The primetime ceremony promised an impressive lineup of performers, including Gaga, Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Rosé, Bruno Mars, and others. A special segment also featured performances by all Best New Artist nominees.
Tributes and Presenters
The ceremony included heartfelt tributes to music icons such as Ozzy Osbourne, D’Angelo, and Roberta Flack, featuring performances by artists like Post Malone, Lauryn Hill, and Reba McEntire. A distinguished group of presenters, including Carole King, Harry Styles, and Queen Latifah, added to the evening's glamour.
Record of The Year Nominees
The prestigious Record of the Year category featured a competitive lineup, with nominations including “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Anxiety” by Doechii, “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish, “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “luther” by Kendrick Lamar With SZA, “The Subway” by Chappell Roan, and “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars.
Album of The Year Contenders
The nominees for Album of the Year represented a diverse collection of works: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny, SWAG by Justin Bieber, Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter, Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice, MAYHEM by Lady Gaga, GNX by Kendrick Lamar, MUTT by Leon Thomas, and CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator.
Song of the Year Nominees
The Song of the Year category honored the craft of songwriting, with nominated tracks including “Abracadabra” (Lady Gaga), “Anxiety” (Doechii), “APT.” (ROSÉ, Bruno Mars), “DtMF” (Bad Bunny), “Golden” (HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI), “luther” (Kendrick Lamar With SZA), “Manchild” (Sabrina Carpenter), and “WILDFLOWER” (Billie Eilish).
Producer and Songwriter Recognition
Cirkut was honored as Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, while Amy Allen received the award for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical, acknowledging their significant contributions behind the scenes.
Diverse Genre Recognition
The awards spanned numerous genres, recognizing exceptional talent in Pop, Dance/Electronic, Rock, Metal, Alternative, R&B, Rap, Jazz, Country, American Roots, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Latin, Global, Reggae, New Age, Children's Music, and Comedy. Each category celebrated the unique artistic expressions and innovations within its domain.
Visual Media and Packaging Awards
Beyond musical performance, the Grammys also honored achievements in visual media, including Best Music Video and Best Music Film, and acknowledged the artistry in album presentation with awards for Best Recording Package and Best Album Cover.
Technical and Historical Accolades
Technical prowess was recognized with awards for Best Engineered Album in both Non-Classical and Classical categories, as well as Producer of the Year, Classical. Historical preservation was celebrated with Best Historical Album, acknowledging efforts to maintain and present significant musical works.
Composition and Arrangement Excellence
The intricate art of musical creation was highlighted through awards for Best Instrumental Composition, Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, and Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals, honoring the creative minds behind complex musical structures.
Classical Performance and Recordings
Classical music was well-represented with awards for Best Orchestral Performance, Best Opera Recording, Best Choral Performance, Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance, Best Classical Instrumental Solo, Best Classical Solo Vocal Album, Best Classical Compendium, and Best Contemporary Classical Composition, showcasing the breadth and depth of the genre.
Innovative Audio Experiences
The Grammys also acknowledged cutting-edge audio technology with the Best Immersive Audio Album award, celebrating productions that push the boundaries of sonic experience.