The 68th edition of the Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1, bringing together the biggest names in the global music industry for what is perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year. The event, now in its sixth year of hosting by Trevor Noah, took on a slightly more subdued note this time around, with the organizers taking into consideration the relief and recovery efforts that have been underway in the wake of the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
One of the biggest talking points of the night was Bad Bunny, who made history by taking home the Album of the Year award for DeBĂ TiRAR MĂĄS FOToS. This is the first time that a Spanish-language album has won the top prize at the Grammys, and it is a moment that is sure to be remembered as a milestone for Latin music on the international stage.
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Kendrick Lamar also had a landmark evening. Entering the ceremony with nine nominations, he walked away with four awards and surpassed Jay-Z to become the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history. His collaboration with SZA, Luther, won Record of the Year, while GNX claimed Best Rap Album.
Big wins across genres
Pop music saw strong performances from Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for Wildflower, and Lady Gaga, who dominated the pop categories. Gaga took home Best Pop Vocal Album for MAYHEM, Best Dance-Pop Recording for Abracadabra, and was also named Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) alongside her collaborators.
The ceremony featured performances from artists including Sabrina Carpenter, Pharrell Williams, Alex Warren and Lola Young, reflecting the Grammysâ continued emphasis on genre diversity.
In the Latin categories, Natalia Lafourcade took home Best Latin Pop Album, while Gloria Estefan was honored with Best Tropical Latin Album. Rock and alternative awards were given out to artists like The Cure, Turnstile, and Nine Inch Nails.
Hip-hop, R&B, country, jazz, classical, and global music awards were distributed over a broad spectrum, with wins for Chris Stapleton, Samara Joy, Jon Batiste, and Tyla, among others.
The evening highlighted the Grammysâ shifting paradigm, one that continues to honor mainstream success but also mirrors the global and multilingual character of contemporary music.
