Los Angeles – Bad Bunny etched his name into music history tonight, becoming the first Latin artist ever to win the coveted Album of the Year award at the 68th Grammy Awards. His critically acclaimed album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, secured the top honor, capping an evening marked by powerful speeches and memorable performances.
The Puerto Rican superstar delivered an impassioned speech against recent ICE immigration raids earlier in the evening. He proclaimed, “we’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
After accepting the Album of the Year trophy from Harry Styles, Bunny continued, “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who have to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.” Due to his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show headlining appearance, Bad Bunny was contractually unable to perform, though host Trevor Noah eventually persuaded him to sing a few bars with the Latin Street Band.
A Monumental Shift: Bad Bunny's Cultural Impact
Bad Bunny's groundbreaking Album of the Year win signifies a pivotal moment for the music industry, solidifying Latin music's undeniable global dominance. This achievement transcends mere sales figures; it's a testament to his ability to blend reggaeton, trap, and other genres while remaining authentically Puerto Rican. His powerful speech against ICE raids underscores his role not just as an artist, but as a voice for millions.
This victory echoes past genre-breaking moments, but perhaps none with such immediate cultural resonance. It paves the way for a new generation of diverse artists, proving that language and traditional genre barriers are rapidly dissolving in the global music landscape. For Bad Bunny, already a stadium-filling superstar, this Grammy cements his legacy as a cultural icon and a trailblazer, amplifying his platform for advocacy and artistic expression.
Grammy Night: Lamar's Milestone, Cher's Meme & Stellar Performances
Kendrick Lamar had a monumental night, taking home Best Rap Album for GNX. This win allowed him to eclipse Jay-Z for the most Grammys of all time with 26. Lamar later secured Record of the Year for his track “luther” featuring SZA.
A truly hilarious moment preceded Lamar's Record of the Year win. Cher, after a rambling speech, seemingly walked offstage without announcing the nominees. Host Trevor Noah talked her back, only for her to mistakenly announce “Luther Vandross” as the winner, instantly sparking a meme. Lamar gracefully saved the moment with a thoughtful speech about sampling Vandross for the track.
Other major winners included Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS for Song of the Year (“Wildflower”), Lola Young for Best Pop Solo Performance (“Messy”), and Olivia Dean for Best New Artist. Pharrell Williams was presented the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award by Q-Tip, later performing with Clipse, who won their first career Grammy for Best Rap Performance with “Chains & Whips,” featuring Lamar and Williams.
The night was also packed with unforgettable performances. Lady Gaga debuted a rocked-up version of “Abracadabra” with producer Andrew Watt on guitar. Justin Bieber captivated with a solo performance of “YUKON” while wearing only lacrosse shorts and socks, while Tyler, the Creator made a grand entrance, zipping across the stage in a Porsche before rapping amid a service station setup.
Post Malone fronted a supergroup featuring Watt, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash and Duff McKagan, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith for a powerful rendition of “War Pigs” in honor of the late Ozzy Osbourne. Lauryn Hill led dual tributes to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, featuring a cavalcade of guests including Jon Batiste, Raphael Saddiq, Leon Thomas, Leon Bridges, John Legend, Chaka Khan, and, to a roaring crowd, her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean for “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”
