2026 Grammys: biggest awards of the year

When it comes to award shows, it is an honor to be nominated and even more to win. The Grammy Awards are held annually to celebrate and recognize outstanding achievements in the music industry. The awards span across many genres, including country, pop, rap, R&B, and rock. Presented to artists, songwriters, producers and engineers,  the Grammys are considered the most prestigious music awards globally.  

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place on Feb. 1, 20, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angelas. The ceremony was broadcasted on CBS and Paramount+ for one final year before moving platforms in 2027. Trevor Noah hosted the awards, as he has done for the last six years.   

Unlike other awards that are given in the industry, the Grammys are voted on by music professionals within the Recording Academy, rather than by the general public. 

Most of the 95 awards given are specific to one of 12 fields, but the most prestigious prizes to be nominated for and possibly win are in the General field. These can be awarded to anyone and are considered to be the “Big 4” awards. These four famous categories within the General field are Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.  

For Record of the Year, Kendrick Lamar (feat. SZA) won with “luther”. This track is love-focused and is from the album GNX. The song honors and samples Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 version of “If This World Were Mine.” The song is a heartfelt pledge of devotion and has no profanity, which was an important part of the writing process. 

Bad Bunny won Album of the Year with “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos”, which translates to “I should’ve taken more photos”. This album is deeply personal and nostalgic, focused on appreciating the present. In addition, it explores cherishing memories and regretting not savoring past moments. The album ushers in a new era for Bad Bunny, as it shows a more grounded, reflective side of the artist, compared to his prior work that highlights gender norm challenges, politics, and social activism. Some of the other songs featured on the album, “NUEVAYoL (New York),” “BAILE INoLVIDABLE (Unforgettable Dance),” and “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii (What Happened to Hawaii),” were part of his performance at the 2026 Super Bowl.  

Song of the Year went to Billie Eilish for “Wildflower.” The backstory behind this song involves the guilt and anxiety of connecting with a friend’s ex-boyfriend. The title refers to the person’s phone case brand, Wildflower Cases, and the lyrics detail how she comforted him and her conflicting feelings of wondering if she crossed a “girl code” boundary.  

Best New Artist was awarded to Olivia Dean, who is most known for her soulful, jazz-inflected pop music. Dean’s songs also have intimate, conversational lyrics and a retro aesthetic. She became a standout artist in 2025, with hits such as “Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall in Love).” She has recently had a rise of international recognition, and it was her second album, “The Art of Loving” that secured her Best New Artist nomination and victory. Dean also performed at this year’s Grammys, and her standout and soulful performance of “Man I Need” showcased her signature warm, jazzy pop-style.  

This performance was part of the Best New Artist nominees medley that was performed shortly before the award was given. This performance included all the other nominees as well: The Marias, Addison Rae, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, and sombr.  

Two other categories within the General Field are Producer of the Year: Non-Classical and Songwriter of the Year: Non-Classical.  

Producer of the Year went to Cirkut (Henry Russel Walter), who is most known for his work with Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem,” Bruno Mars and Rosé’s “APT,” and The Weekend’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” He has a unique ability to blend pop, R&B, and dance, and this was his first win since 2018.  

Songwriter of the Year was awarded to Amy Allen, the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Songwriter of the Year. She is the go-to songwriter for Sabrina Carpenter, as she helped with her hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Allen has also worked with Harry Styles, Tate McRae, Lizzo, Olivia Rodrigo, and Justin Timberlake. Allen is most known for her versatility and her ability to create “inescapable hooks.” 

When a Northwestern student, who loves watching the Grammys, was asked about her opinions, she stated that “it was clear to see how much each artist put into their work, and it was amazing to see their reactions as the winners saw their hard work pay off. Plus, getting the chance to hear so many different artists perform showed how diverse the industry is.”