Bad Bunny Makes Grammy History With Album of the Year Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Bad Bunny made Grammy history by winning Album of the Year for his Spanish-language album Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The 2026 Grammy Awards were filled with powerful political messages, especially around immigration and ICE. Major wins also went to Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Dean in a night celebrating global music and activism.
Quick Look
- Bad Bunny wins Album of the Year, first Spanish-language album to do so
- Debí Tirar Más Fotos caps a historic night at the 2026 Grammys
- Acceptance speech honors Puerto Rico and immigrants chasing dreams
- Immigration and anti-ICE messages echoed throughout the ceremony
- Billie Eilish wins Song of the Year; Kendrick Lamar wins Record of the Year
- Kendrick Lamar breaks Jay-Z’s record for most Grammys by a rapper
- First-time Grammy wins for several artists, including Olivia Dean
- Powerful tributes and performances highlight a socially charged show
Bad Bunny Makes Grammy History With Album of the Year Win
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a groundbreaking moment for Latin music, Bad Bunny won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, marking the first time a Spanish-language album has claimed the show’s top honor.
“This is for Puerto Rico,” he said passionately in Spanish. “We are more than 100 by 35. We are powerful. We are global.” He then added in English, “I dedicate this award to everyone who had to leave their homeland to chase their dreams.”
Harry Styles, who won the award in 2023, handed over the Grammy to Bad Bunny, creating a full-circle moment after beating him that year for Harry’s House.
Grammy Night Goes Bold: Highlights and Surprises
Major Wins
- Album of the Year: Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny
- Record of the Year: “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- Song of the Year: “Wildflower” – Billie Eilish
- Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
- Pop Vocal Album: Mayhem – Lady Gaga
- Rap Album: GNX – Kendrick Lamar
- Contemporary Country Album: Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll
- Pop Solo Performance: “Messy” – Lola Young
Powerful Political Statements
From the opening speeches to backstage interviews, the 2026 Grammy Awards doubled as a platform for artists to confront U.S. immigration policy:
- Bad Bunny, accepting música urbana album, said: “ICE out. We are not aliens. We are human. We are Americans.”
- Billie Eilish, on winning song of the year, said: “No one is illegal on stolen land. F*** ICE.”
- Kehlani and Shaboozey echoed the same message during their own wins.
- Gloria Estefan, backstage: “I don’t recognize my country right now. It scares me.”
Showstoppers and Performances
- Lauryn Hill’s return was a soul-stirring tribute to Roberta Flack, joined by Jon Batiste, Chaka Khan, and Wyclef Jean.
- Tyler, the Creator turned his three-song set into avant-garde theater, joined by Regina King.
- A best new artist medley featured performances throughout the arena, from Addison Rae to Leon Thomas, with genre-defying flair.
- Lady Gaga reinvented “Abracadabra” into an electro-rock explosion.
- Justin Bieber slowed the tempo with “Yukon,” while Rosé and Bruno Mars opened the show with “APT,” blending pop, punk, and Latin rhythm.
First-Time Wins & Grammy Firsts
- Dalai Lama won his first Grammy, beating Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in the audiobook category.
- K-pop broke through: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters became the first K-pop song to win song for visual media.
- Steven Spielberg completed his EGOT by winning best music film for Music for John Williams.
What It All Means
This year’s Grammys reflected not just musical excellence, but a shifting cultural current. Bad Bunny’s historic win wasn’t just about beats and bars—it symbolized a breakthrough for Spanish-language music in the American mainstream.
“We’re not here to entertain only,” said Kendrick Lamar. “We’re here to reflect truth.”
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