meta-scriptWhy Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico Residency Is Monumental For His Homeland | GRAMMY.com
Bad Bunny performing in Puerto Rico in 2024
Bad Bunny performs during his Most Wanted Tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in June 2024.

Photo: Gladys Vega/Getty Images

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Why Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico Residency Is Monumental For His Homeland

As the superstar kicks off his 30-date No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí concert residency in San Juan, industry players weigh in on how Bad Bunny's latest homage to Puerto Rico is adding to his influential legacy.

GRAMMYs/Jul 9, 2025 - 04:38 pm

"It's unnecessary."

That was Bad Bunny's answer when Variety's Latin music critic Thania Garcia recently asked him why he chose to not include any U.S. dates in his epic 2025-26 world tour.

Instead, the Puerto Rican mega-star known among his fans simply as Benito has taken a bold creative and logistical step. He is celebrating the release of his latest album, the blockbuster Debí Tirar Más Fotos, with a 30-date residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan — aptly titled No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí ("I Don’t Want To Leave Here") — from July to September of this year. No other Latin icon has ever gone to such extreme lengths to prove the importance that his own homeland occupies in his personal cosmovision.

How far is Benito going to ensure that the residency is seen as a political act seeking to vindicate the boricua culture that informs most of his musical output? Tickets for the first nine dates were available strictly to residents of the island, with customers having to present proof of Puerto Rico residence at the time of purchase — ensuring that he can celebrate this momentous occasion with his people.

"The political message behind it is really beautiful," says Javier J. Hernández Acosta, Dean of the School of Arts, Design and Creative Industries at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan. "'We can do this. We can foster cultural and economic development through our own gifts.' In symbolic terms, this is what Benito is doing.

"We can cherish our culture, join forces and envision a different future for the island. We've been at the forefront of music for a very long time, from the salsa movement and Menudo to Ricky Martin and Daddy Yankee," he continues. "But Benito is doing it in a more holistic, all-encompassing fashion. Our country's best raw material is its creative talent."

It is not a coincidence that the series of shows is anchored on Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the one album where the three-time GRAMMY winner intensely celebrates the roots music that he grew up listening to. A vague conceptual record, it includes anti-colonial messages ("LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii"), an affectionate nod to salsa orchestra El Gran Combo ("NUEVAYoL"), and the appearance of folk ensemble Los Pleneros de la Cresta on the zesty "CAFé CON RON" — miles away from the decadent and salacious trap of Bad Bunny smashes like 2023's "MÓNACO."

"What Benito is doing right now is the continuation and evolution of the Caribbean's amazing musical legacy," says Willy Aldarondo of the Puerto Rican tropical indie group Chuwi, who feature on Debí Tirar Más Fotos' electro-tinged party anthem "WELTiTA." "Benito is the most recent chapter of the story, and he's not only made some fascinating music, but also took it to an unprecedented level of popularity. Now, Puerto Rico is becoming a musical mecca."

Just like Jamaica with ska, rocksteady and reggae, Puerto Rico has been at the forefront of popular music since the early decades of the 20th century. The mambo explosion of the '50s was fueled predominantly by Tito Rodríguez and Nuyorican timbales wizard Tito Puente. Similarly, the New York salsa movement of the '70s had a direct line with the island's genre masters, from Eddie Palmieri and El Gran Combo to Cheo Feliciano and La Sonora Ponceña, to name a few. And the initial reggaetón phenomenon of the early 2000's was pioneered by local stars like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Tego Calderón.

None of these artists, however, managed to dominate the musical zeitgeist of the past decade on a global level like Benito — not only in terms of massive streaming numbers and universal acclaim, but also in the way that he effectively changed the sound of contemporary Latin music in the current decade. The residency stands as a moving tribute to the place that inspired his vision.

"As a musician myself, I believe that he's doing some extraordinary work by creating an intersection where all these local genres are getting together, from plena and salsa to bolero and aguinaldo," Hernández Acosta asserts. "I've spent years dreaming of the moment when our island would venture into popular music mining the essence of its own genres. It's exactly what Jamaica did with reggae, Spain with flamenco and Colombia with cumbia and vallenato. This is an additional element that we'll be celebrating during the residency."

Benito had already highlighted his roots in multiple ways: wearing the Puerto Rican flag in previous performances, using boricua slang, and mentioning some of the island's specific locales. His 2022 GRAMMY-winning masterpiece, Un Verano Sin Ti, delved deep into Caribbean beach culture, while borrowing openly from venerable formats like salsa and bomba.  Still, Debí Tirar Más Fotos may well be his most personal — and emotional — expression of love to the island. Geopolitically, both the album and residency couldn't have arrived at a better time.

"Bad Bunny has exerted the maximum amount of pressure in order to put Puerto Rico on the map — and he did through the power of his music," says Cuban singer/songwriter Daymé Arocena, who decided to stay and live in Puerto Rico a couple of years ago after recording an album in the island. "Benito is telling us, 'If you want to see me in concert, you will have to fly here and withstand the heat. You will have to traverse the dark highways where the lights have still to be replaced following the hurricane.'

"It's a spectacular statement, but Benito has spent many years making spectacular statements," Arocena adds. "He is a risk taker, the kind of guy who ends up winning because he is not afraid of losing."

Perhaps most importantly, the benefits of this artistic gamble goes beyond making an ideological statement. Hernández Acosta mentions a recent study conducted by Dr. Indira Luciano Montalvo, estimating that the residency will bring Puerto Rico the cool sum of $57 million as the result of ticket sales and a spike in tourism (the amount excludes the actual production of the shows, which will employ a number of local craftsmen and technicians).

Following the residency, the singer will embark on an extensive stadium world tour spanning Europe, Latin America, Japan, and Australia. The tour, which has already broken several records at venues around the globe, will kick off in November and end in July of 2026.

Before that, however, Benito will turn the biggest cultural statement of his career into a reality. The residency is likely to be remembered as one of the most soulful chapters of his artistic legacy — and perhaps inspire other boricua artists to follow him in seeking global domination from the inside out.

"As he continues to break records, Bad Bunny is single-handedly changing the status quo of the music business," says Aldarondo. "It's really thrilling that the person doing this is not only Puerto Rican, but also playing Puerto Rican music. This is just incredible. It doesn't seem real to me."

A photo of Kendrick Lamar and SZA winning the Grammy for Record Of The Year at the 2026 Grammys. In the photo are (L-R) Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Cher, Kendrick Lamar, Scott Bridgeway, Kamasi Washington, and SZA.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA win the Grammy for Record Of The Year at the 2026 Grammys on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (L-R) Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Cher, Kendrick Lamar, Scott Bridgeway, Kamasi Washington, and SZA.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Acceptance Speech|List

9 Powerful Acceptance Speeches From The 2026 Grammys: Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga & More

From pro-immigrant statements to vocal support for women in music, these moving acceptance speeches from the 2026 Grammys reflected the moments defining music and culture today.

GRAMMYs/Mar 1, 2026 - 01:49 am

At the 2026 Grammys, winning artists took to the stage with much more than gratitude on their minds. Grammy winners such as Lady Gaga and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Cher supported rising artists, particularly women in the music industry. Kendrick Lamar deflected from his own victories to pay tribute to Luther Vandross, namesake of his Record-Of-The-Year-winning tune, and the hip-hop community at large.

In particular, many artists reacted to the ongoing campaign of deportations and anti-immigrant violence happening across the U.S. Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean all spoke movingly in support of immigrants, while many other artists wore "ICE OUT" pins.

Below, revisit some of the most moving acceptance speeches from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch all the 2026 Grammys acceptance speeches in full.

Kendrick Lamar Makes Rap History & Shouts Out The Hip-Hop Community

After dominating the 2025 Grammys with "Not Like Us," Kendrick Lamar took home five Grammys this year and became the rapper with the most Grammy wins ever. After winning three Grammys earlier in the day during the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, the Los Angeles artist won the first Grammy Award of the telecast for Best Rap Album for GNX. With this Grammy win, he topped JAY-Z's 25 wins to snatch the record for most Grammys won by a rapper.

"Every time I tell you this: Hip-hop is gonna always be right here," Lamar said in his Grammy acceptance speech, dedicating his win to the hip-hop movement. "We gonna be in these suits, we gonna be looking good, we gonna be having our folks with us, we're gonna be having the culture with us."

Kendrick also shouted out Clipse, with whom he won Best Rap Performance earlier in the day for their track "Chains & Whips." He would return to the stage once more before the end of the night to take home the Grammy for Record of the Year for his song "luther" with SZA, bringing his career total to 27 Grammy wins.

Bad Bunny Stands Up For Immigrants

Of the many statements made in support of immigrants at the 2026 Grammys, few felt more powerful and resonant than Bad Bunny's, who twice spoke on the issue on the Grammy stage. Accepting the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, the Puerto Rican superstar front-loaded his acceptance speech with a rebuke of the dehumanizing rhetoric faced by immigrants, especially Latin Americans such as himself.

"Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say: ICE out," he declared. "We're not savage, we're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans."

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Later that night, after winning the Grammy for Album of the Year, a visibly shocked and overwhelmed Bad Bunny returned to the stage to deliver another Grammy acceptance speech, though this time mostly in Spanish. It was an appropriate move considering the history-making album is the first non-English-language album to ever win the Grammy for Album Of The Year. But given his stunned reaction, Bad Bunny may have just been too emotional to so quickly translate most of his thoughts. But in a fitting move, he dedicated his Grammy win to "all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams."

Olivia Dean Tearfully Takes Best New Artist

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"I never imagined I'd be up here, let alone nominated," Olivia Dean said as she tearfully accepted the Grammy for Best New Artist. Having just performed her U.K. chart-topping single "Man I Need" on the Grammy stage, the British singer used her platform to speak out in support of immigrants, including her own grandmother, who immigrated to the U.K. from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation.

"I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant," Dean said. "I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated."

Lady Gaga Supports Women In Music

As well-known as she is for awards-show spectacles – Remember the meat dress? – Lady Gaga kept things (mostly) low-key and earnest. Following a dynamic performance of "Abracadabra," she returned to the stage to accept the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for MAYHEM.

Thanking her fiancé, Michael Polansky, and her collaborators, including Cirkut, who won the Grammy for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical winner, and Gessaffelstein, the latter of whom won the Grammy for Best Remixed Recording for his remix of "Abracadabra," Lady Gaga offered some encouraging words for women in the music industry.

"When you're in the studio with a bunch of guys, it can be hard," she said. "Always listen to yourself and always fight for your ideas, fight for your songs, fight for yourself as a producer."

"Abracadabra" also won the Grammy for Best Dance Pop Recording, bringing her total career Grammy wins to 16.

Lola Young Swears She Didn't Expect Grammy Win

Though Lola Young certainly had stiff competition in the Best Pop Solo Performance Category, including veterans such as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, nobody was more shocked at her Grammy win in than Young herself. The singer, also nominated for Best New Artist, had just wrapped an emotional piano rendition of her track "Messy" earlier in the evening, one of her first live performances in four months following a health scare.

"I don't have any speech prepared," a visibly shocked Young said. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!" Utterly overwhelmed and searching for words, Young dropped a few less-than-TV-appropriate words before thanking her friends and mother and fleeing the stage while in a state of pure ecstasy.

Billie Eilish Gets Serious During Song Of The Year Speech

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Winning the Grammy for Song of the Year for "WILDFLOWER," her 10th Grammy, didn't seem to weigh heavily on Billie Eilish's mind as she took the stage to accept the award. Flanked by her brother and creative partner FINNEAS, both wearing "ICE OUT" pins, as were many of the other attendees, the pop star weighed in on the current anti-immigration policies being carried out in the U.S.

"No one is illegal on stolen land," Eilish said. "It's just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now … I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter."

The more serious tone of the speech contrasted with Eilish's previous wins, but it felt more than appropriate given the current climate.

Cher's Audacious Return To The Grammy Stage

Cher is always a class act. With dozens of hits across a decades-spanning career, she earned the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award deservedly. Her acceptance speech on the Grammy stage quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.

First, she gave a stirring speech reflecting on her storied yet tumultuous time in show business. "I was famous at 19 and had a top-rated show in my 20s, actually, but it didn't occur to me how rough my career was going to be," she said. "I was either a loser or winning an Oscar. I'm sure a lot of you in the audience know what I'm talking about."

Cher also reflected on her stint in the "elephant graveyard" of Las Vegas in the '80s and her pioneering use of AutoTune on her Grammy-winning hit single "Believe." She closed out her speech by encouraging the audience: "Never give up on your dream, no matter what happens. Live it, be it, and if it's not happening now, it will happen soon."

Then things got a little bit … whacky. Apparently unclear that she would be presenting the Grammy for Record of the Year, the singer nearly walked off the stage before the crowd and host Trevor Noah coaxed her back. Then she mistakenly declared the late Luther Vandross the winner, in reference to the winning song, "luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Oh Cher, don't you ever change!

Jelly Roll Goes Full Country Music

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Jelly Roll had already won two Grammys earlier in the day for collaborations with Brandon Lake and Shaboozey, but it wasn't until the evening that he got to ascend the Grammy stage solo. Winning the Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken, he made his acceptance speech into a sort of country song in its own right, thanking his wife, referencing his Christian faith, and describing the troubles that led him to turn to music.

"I didn't think I had a chance, y'all," he said. "There were days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human … There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size and a six-by-eight-foot cell. And I believed that those two things could change my life."

The singer wrapped his speech by once again invoking religion: "Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label."

"luther" Wins Record of the Year

Cher may have been a bit off when she confidently misread that the Grammy for Record of the Year was going to "Luther Vandross." But the actual winners, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, made it clear that their chart-topping tune "luther" was a spiritual victory for the legendary R&B star who inspired the song, which prominently samples Vandross' and Cheryl Lynn's 1982 cover of "If This World Were Mine."

"First and foremost, let's give a shout-out to the late, great Luther Vandross," co-producer Sounwave began. "It was very, very, very important to keep the integrity of his record."

Lamar echoed the sentiment. "It's one of my favorite artists of all time, and they granted us the privilege to do our version of it. When we got that clearance, I promise you we damn near all dropped a tear.

"Being able to put our vocals on it, it proves that we were somewhat worthy to be just as great as them individuals," he continued. "They granted us that. They said, 'No cursing,' though."

Finally, SZA struck a note of hopefulness at the end of the speeches. "I know that right now is a scary time. I know the algorithms tell us that it's so scary, and all is lost," she said. "We can go on. We need each other. We need to trust each other and trust ourselves, trust your heart. We're not governed by the government, we're governed by God."

This Grammy win for "luther" puts Lamar in elite territory as a back-to-back Record Of The Year Grammy winner, joining fellow winners like Billie Eilish, U2, and the late Roberta Flack, the latter of whom was tributed in the annual In Memoriam celebration led by Ms. Lauryn Hill earlier in the ceremony.

Chappell Roan walks the red carpet at the 2026 Grammys. She is wearing a ruby red Mugler dress and is looking toward the camera.
Chappell Roan walks the red carpet at the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

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7 Eye-Catching Outfits From The 2026 Grammys: Chappell Roan, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE & More

Biggest Night doubles as one of the biggest nights in fashion. Relive some of the most unforgettable fashion looks from the 2026 Grammys, from Chappell Roan's spicy Mugler moment to Bad Bunny's history-making haute couture.

GRAMMYs/Feb 28, 2026 - 07:48 pm

The Grammys have undeniably always been Music's Biggest Night, but there's an argument its one of fashion's biggest nights, too. Over the years, the Grammys have offered fans an endless display of eye-catching and boundary-pushing fashion, in between celebrating music, and the 2026 Grammys were no exception.

The sartorial parade began, of course, on the Grammy red carpet, where Grammy nominees, presenters, and more of the music industry's brightest stars celebrated the year in musical excellence. But with plenty of outfit changes, over-the-top performances and surprise appearances during the show, the can't-miss looks continued throughout the entire evening — all the way up until host Trevor Noah bid the millions watching at home a good night.

Below, check out some of the most unforgettable and talked-about looks from the 2026 Grammys, from Chappell Roan's spicy Mugler moment to Bad Bunny's history-making haute couture.

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan, last year's Best New Artist winner, turned heads on the Grammy red carpet with a custom Mugler ensemble involving nipple rings, pastie prosthetics, and a plethora of medieval-inspired temporary tattoos. (The entire look was directly inspired by Mugler's Jeu de Paume couture collection from spring/summer 1998.)

While the risqué outfit set the internet positively ablaze, Roan — who was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her 2025 single "The Subway" and presented this year's Grammy Award for Best New Artist to Olivia Dean — shrugged off the online pearl-clutching with a laugh.

"Giggling because I don't even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit. The look's actually so awesome and weird," Roan wrote in an Instagram post after the Grammys.

"I recommend just exercising your free will it's really fun and silly :D," the Midwest Princess continued. "Thank you for having me @grammys and those who voted for me!!"

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter was nothing short of a vision when she arrived at the 2026 Grammys wearing a romantic custom gown by Valentino.

Honoring the late Italian fashion icon, who died in January at 93, the superstar's dress featured a dainty, sheer capelet for the sleeves, a sparkling bodice made of crystalline, beaded flowers, and a cascading, ruffled skirt.

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Nominated for six Grammys — including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album —  for her 2025 album Man's Best Friend, Carpenter lit up the Grammy stage early in the telecast with a maximalist production number of her No. 1 single "Manchild," which also earned nods for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video. For the high-energy, airport-themed number, Carpenter changed into a corseted pilot's uniform, complete with matching white go-go boots and an old-fashioned airline captain's hat.

KATSEYE

KATSEYE expertly resurrected the immortal tradition of girl groups rocking matching looks on the Grammys red carpet. The sextet looked all sorts of angelic in their coordinated white and silver gowns by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, complete with studded silver detailing and ample use of both halter necklines and lace.

Of course, during the telecast, the first-time Grammy nominees changed into more choreography-friendly outfits to perform their addictive single "Gnarly" — a high-octane highlight from the Best New Artist medley that also featured performances from fellow Best New Artist Grammy nominees The Marías, Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, sombr, and eventual winner Olivia Dean.

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KATSEYE weren't the only group sporting a matching aesthetic at the show. British girl group FLO, who earned their first Grammy nomination this year in the Best Progressive R&B Album Category, served up regal shades of royal blue on the red carpet just days after paying tribute to Mariah Carey with a cover of "Dreamlover" at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year benefit gala. The sisters of HAIM, meanwhile, opted for a trio of strappy black-and-silver dresses by Louis Vuitton. Plus, on the menswear side of the aisle, Pharrell Williams matched with Clipse in peachy velvet suits before hitting the Grammy stage to perform their 2025 collaboration "So Far Ahead," off the Grammy-nominated Let God Sort Em Out.

Teyana Taylor

Fresh off her win at the 2026 Golden Globes, Teyana Taylor wore an ab-baring gown by Tom Ford at the 2026 Grammys.

The budding multi-hyphenate, who earned her first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album for her 2025 album Escape Room, wowed in an asymmetrical look made of metallic chain mail. Continuing the red carpet theme of daring, nearly-naked fashion, the dress featured an innovative strapless design that had to be seen to be believed.

Perhaps the most striking detail, though, is that Taylor reportedly styled herself for the evening, pairing the sculptural gown with a plunging gold necklace from Tiffany & Co., bronzed makeup, and a matching manicure.

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum's dress at the 2026 Grammys was both a high-fashion moment and a technological marvel. Dreamed up by Berlin-based designer Marina Hoermanseder, the skin-toned leather look brought new meaning to "nude illusion," with the dress sculpted to a mold of the supermodel's body.

"She did a little mold, and then everything is done by leather. She makes it wet, it gets molded, then she dries it. Then it gets lacquered, sprayed and voila!" Klum explained on the Grammy red carpet while dishing on "Red Eye," her new collab with Diplo created for the upcoming season of "Germany's Next Topmodel."

"I always go for, like, a showstopper kind of an outfit, you know? I'm never someone who's like, 'This looks nice,'" the longtime "Project Runway" host concluded. "I always like something special."

Following the ceremony, Hoermanseder gave followers a behind-the-scenes peek at the process of making Klum's body-baring gown via an insightful Instagram carousel. The fashion designer showed off every step of the painstaking process — from creating the very first sketches and computer models to stretching and drying the leather by hand before matching its color precisely to Klum's skin.

Bad Bunny

Hours before Bad Bunny's triumphant night at the Grammys ended with his historic win for Album of the Year, it started with the perfect Schiaparelli tuxedo.

Inspired by a gender-bending design from the French maison's Couture runway show in 2023 and featuring a laced-up, corset-style back and subtle measuring tape lapel, Benito's dapper tux made its own mark on fashion history as Schiaparelli's very first Haute Couture custom menswear look to ever grace a red carpet.

Following the 2026 Grammys, Schiaparelli took to social media to celebrate Bad Bunny's trio of big wins for Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Global Music Performance. They also gleefully pointed out the fact that the past three Album of the Year Grammy winners have all accepted their Grammys while wearing custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture — including Beyoncé in 2025 for COWBOY CARTER and Taylor Swift in 2024 for Midnights. Talk about a high fashion hat trick!

Harry Styles

Harry Styles served as the final presenter at the 2026 Grammys, returning to the Grammy stage to announce this year's winner for Album of the Year. And while the three-time Grammy winner didn't walk the Grammy red carpet, he still managed to make quite the sartorial statement by pairing a dazzling Dior blazer with — of all things — casual dark wash jeans.

"A truly great album can change the way you see everything. An artist can take you on a journey as you discover the world together. The best albums stay with you, and you can always return to them, just like old friends," Styles said, before listing off the eight albums nominated for Album of the Year and ultimately announcing Bad Bunny's DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS as the year's big winner.

Bad Bunny wins the Grammy for Album Of The Year at the 2026 Grammys. He is standing on the Grammy stage holding his trophy and wearing a black tuxedo and white shirt.
Bad Bunny accepts the Grammy for Album of the Year for 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS' onstage during the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

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10 Must-Watch Moments From The 2026 Grammys: Bad Bunny Makes Grammy History, Hip-Hop Reigns Supreme & Politics Take Center Stage

Here are 10 must-watch moments from one of the most memorable editions of Music's Biggest Night, including standout performances from Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and more.

GRAMMYs/Feb 3, 2026 - 03:12 am

"I'm so happy to see such a wide variety of voices and styles here," iconic singer/songwriter Carole King said before presenting the Grammy for Song Of The Year during the 2026 Grammys last night. More than ever before, the telecast painted a picture of music as an integrated art form, where every inch of the musical spectrum can coexist harmoniously.

As such, this year's Grammys offered plenty of thrills for all viewers, from the Afro-Caribbean manifesto of Bad Bunny to the post-modern hip-hop of Kendrick Lamar to the pop buoyancy of Sabrina Carpenter.

Here are 10 must-watch moments from one of the most memorable editions of Music's Biggest Night.

Sabrina Carpenter Has a Healthy Sense of Humor — And Impeccable Timing

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There's nothing quite like a grand, exuberant musical production to kick off Grammy night, and Sabrina Carpenter delivered that iconic set piece. The pop star pulled out all the stops with a vintage-airport-themed rendition of her smash hit "Manchild," complete with a dozen or more beautifully choreographed dancers and a live dove. The timing of every moment was flawless, and Carpenter — dressed as a pilot in a white outfit with a matching cap — beamed with the infectious charisma of a woman born for this kind of massive pop spectacle. This was the kind of performance that set the perfect tone for the extravaganza of Grammy Sunday and established demand for a real Sabrina Carpenter Airline.

Hip-Hop Continues To Encapsulate The Essence Of Contemporary Culture

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Hip-hop occupied a place of honor in this year's edition. Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys, taking him to 27 total Grammy wins and establishing him as the rapper with the most Grammys ever. Tyler, the Creator delivered a spectacular performance, which featured a car crash, an exploding gas station, and a guest appearance by beloved actress Regina King. Clipse, Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire triple-teamed for a rousing performance of "So Far Ahead," a highlight off their Grammy-nominated album Let God Sort Em Out.

Another unforgettable moment occurred when Pharrell accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and acknowledged the tremendous influence that both A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, who presented the award, and Dre had on his career. "I've never stopped studying," Williams declared, clearly moved to address both legendary rappers in his acceptance speech.

The Next Wave Of Pop Glitters Even Brighter

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Anyone harboring concerns about the future of pop music surely came away from the evening instantly reassured, even just from the medley of performances from the eight nominees in the Best New Artist Category alone. From the brash girl group throwback of KATSEYE's "Gnarly" to the soulful traditionalism of Olivia Dean's "Man I Need," the tactile glam of Addison Rae's "Fame Is A Gun" to the slinky soul of Leon Thomas' "Mutt," the class of 2026 showed an enviable command of multiple styles. And in her acceptance speech for the Best New Artist Grammy, Dean proved unafraid to step into a big moment, showing impressive poise and seizing the moment to underscore that she is the granddaughter of an immigrant and to encourage peace and community.

Justin Bieber Reveals More Of His Vulnerable Side

A photo of Justin Bieber performing at the 2026 Grammys. Bieber is on stage wearing only his underwear, holding a guitar and standing in front of a synthesizer keyboard.

Justin Bieber performs onstage during the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Stripped down to his boxer shorts and socks, Justin Bieber's rendition of the R&B-flavored "YUKON" felt almost like an anti-performance — and also produced one of the evening's most intimate moments. The Canadian superstar performed solo against a bare backdrop, creating loops of electric guitar and digital percussion before performing the song's lyrics with ragged intensity. The effect was hypnotic, and oddly compelling, and the camera's frequent panning to wife Hailey Bieber's adoring attention reaffirmed the deep-seated emotionality.

Music Has The Power To Change Lives

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Jelly Roll delivered an acceptance speech for the ages after winning the Best Contemporary Country Album Grammy for the aptly titled Beautifully Broken. Thanking his wife Alisa for helping him to turn his life around, the 41-year-old singer/songwriter admitted that there was a time in his life when he was broken — sitting in a six-by-eight-foot cell with a Bible and a portable radio as his only companions. "I believed that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life," he said. Clearly, they did.

Lady Gaga Makes Real Magic

Lady Gaga performs at the 2026 Grammys. She is on stage in front of a microphone and wearing a birdcage helmet and stark black-and-red dress.

Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California | Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

It's difficult to categorize "Abracadabra," a meta-electro hit from Lady Gaga's Mayhem that combines imperial Euro-disco grandeur, acid techno, a subterranean dash of alternative rock, and even a bit of Siouxsie and the Banshees. But on the stage, all of those calculations faded away, Gaga reminding us why she's a singular voice in the pop world. The superstar amped up the voltage on a delirious rendition of the song, her birdcage helmet and stark black-and-red dress seemingly straight out of a Terry Gilliam movie. Whether dancing wildly or bending over a synthesizer for an extra helping of distortion, Gaga remains one of dance pop's bravest explorers, and this segment added fire to her own lore.

The Golden Tenets Of Soul And Funk Will Never Go Out Of Style

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From Silk Sonic to 24K Magic, retro goodness has always defined Bruno Mars' work. But "I Just Might," the single from his upcoming fourth album, may have just elevated that vintage glory to new heights and produced one of the telecast's most infectious moments. Backed by a red-and-white-clad backing band of sublimely smooth musicians and set against a gigantic glowing heart backdrop, Mars evoked the sparkly visuals of the "Soul Train" era, the vintage spirit of Stax, '70s disco and funk, and the timeless cool of Motown, all while remaining effortlessly himself.

Time May Pass, But The Sounds Remain

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Each year feels as if we're mourning more and deeper losses in the music world. Fittingly, this year's In Memoriam segment became a majestic celebration of songs that will remain forever etched in our souls. It began with a lovely take on "Trailblazer" led by Reba McEntire joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson. Post Malone — alongside a rock supergroup featuring Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash — channeled his Ozzy Osbourne power through the anti-war Black Sabbath anthem "War Pigs." Finally, a tribute to the magic of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack starred the inimitable Ms. Lauryn Hill, surrounded by many illustrious guests ranging from Raphael Saadiq and Bilal to Leon Bridges and John Legend, not to mention a Fugees reunion when Wyclef Jean joined in for a breathtaking rendition of "Killing Me Softly."

Bad Bunny Finds Vindication — And Advocates Boricua Pride

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With an upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance and six nominations to his name, it was clear that all eyes were on Bad Bunny last night — as they frequently are, considering he's one of the biggest pop stars on the planet today. On Grammy Sunday, his magnum opus Debí Tirar Más Fotos — a masterful love letter to the plena and salsa roots of his native Puerto Rico — became the first all-Spanish-language album to win the Grammy for Album Of The Year since the Category was instituted in 1959. It also became the first album to win the Album Of The Year Category at both the Grammy Awards and the Latin Grammy Awards.

Music Is Political By Nature

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At a time when the United States — and, truly, the world at large — is facing immense turmoil, many Grammy winners took the opportunity to use the platform and face the moment. "Ice out," a steely-eyed Bad Bunny said after winning the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album. "We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans. We are Americans." Billie Eilish has never been one to shy away from speaking out, and added her own affirmation: "No one is illegal on stolen land," she offered while receiving the Song Of The Year Grammy for "WILDFLOWER." And while accepting the Record Of The Year Grammy for "luther," her track with Kendrick Lamar, SZA offered a rallying cry. "Please don't fall into despair," she pleaded. "We are not governed by the government — we're governed by God." And if the crowd in the Crypto.com Arena is any indication, musicians will continue to have the capacity to bring people together and make real change.

A graphic promoting the "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" special, presented by The Recording Academy and CBS. The words CBS Presents, A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music, and Sunday December 28 are written next to an image of performing musicians.
"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" airs Sunday, Dec. 28, at 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streams on Paramount+.

Graphic courtesy of the CBS

Music News

The Recording Academy & CBS Announce "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" Featuring Performances By Ángela Aguilar, Michael Bublé, Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi, Carín León, Maren Morris & More: Airing Dec. 28

"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" celebrates the lasting impact and widespread influence of Latin music in the United States. Additional performers include Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Prince Royce, Jon Secada, Robin Thicke, and many others.

GRAMMYs/Dec 2, 2025 - 05:00 pm

The Recording Academy and CBS are closing out the year with "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music," a star-studded special highlighting the lasting impact and widespread influence of Latin music in the United States. Airing Sunday, Dec. 28, at 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+, the two-hour special features performances by Ángela Aguilar, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi, Carín León and Nuno Bettencourt, Maren Morris, and many more.

Filmed in Miami, "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" will include covers of classic songs, tributes to various Latin artists, performances of top hits by Latin superstars, and performers across musical genres, with interviews and features throughout. 

Learn more about the "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" special and see the full list of performers and special guests below.

How Can I Watch "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" airs Sunday, Dec. 28, at 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streams on Paramount+.

Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.

Who's Performing At "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

The full list of performers at "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" includes:

Who Are The Special Guests At "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" will also feature interviews with and appearances by:

Who Is Hosting "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

"NCIS" star Wilmer Valderrama and singer/songwriter and actress Roselyn Sánchez will co-host "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music."

José Tillán and Harvey Mason jr. executive-produced the special. The POPGarage and GRAMMY Studios produced the special.