The Recording Academy had its biggest night of the year on February 1, 2026. This group is responsible for all things music in the US, including keeping records of music industry doings and putting on the yearly Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards 2026 honoured the best in music for the August 2024-25 period. This article picks through all the post-Grammy analysis to bring you the information that matters the most.
What to Know About the Grammy Awards 2026
- 📆 The event took place on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
- 📺 The Recording Academy livestreamed the event on Paramount+ and Disney+.
- 🎩 Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the sixth time. He won't return next year.
- 5️⃣ Kendrick Lamar was the big winner, going in with 9 nominations and walking out with 5 statuettes.
🔑 2026 Grammy Awards: Key Details
With the event already a couple of weeks into the history books, we take a moment to look back on the Grammy Awards 2026. You already took in the celebration's nuts-and-bolts info (when, where, host, et al); here, we summarise the highlights1.
🔢 The Grammys By the Numbers
The Recording Academy, formally called the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, came together in 1957. A year later, it hosted its first awards ceremony to honour outstanding contributors to music. It was a low-key event with no public attention to feed, honouring music professionals across 28 categories2.
This year (2026), the Academy added two more categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. These additions raise the total number of categories to 96!
Of all the major ceremonies across Awards Season, the Grammys boast the most categories. Naturally, the televised/livestreamed version didn't cover every single award. They focused on the top categories, particularly the Big Four:
- Album of the Year
- Record of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Best New Artist
Every academy member votes in these categories; hence the Big Four designation. They are also arguably the ones the public focuses most intently on. Taking home the gramophone statuette in any of these categories lends the artist extra prestige and gives them a substantial career boost.
In the Grammys' 68-year history, only two artists swept all four categories in the same year: Christopher Cross (1981): self-titled debut album, Sailing, as record and song of the year.
Billie Eilish (2020): When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?; Bad Guy as Record/Song of the Year.
Adele has also claimed all four awards, but not in the same year. She claimed Best New Artist in 2009, and the other three in 2012. She's also featured on the list of BAFTA nominations (2016, 2022), but has no wins. There's your bit of Grammys' trivia! 🤩
🎩 Who Hosted the Grammy Awards 2026?
As the Grammys award most of their statuettes away from the cameras' view, organisers must pad the show with other types of entertainment. Besides, who says watching people get awards is exciting? 🥱 One way to fill the time / enrich viewers' experience is with a dynamic host.
Trevor is not as controversial a figure as Conan O'Brien, the host of the 2026 Oscars festivities. In fact, Trevor is highly regarded across the entertainment spectrum. Besides his multiple nominations and wins, he was twice recognised as one of "The 35 Most Powerful People in New York Media" (2017, 2018). Also in 2018, Time magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
👨👩👦👦 Who Performed at the Grammy Awards 2026?
Trevor's monologue shows he's equally comfortable managing a room full of star power as he is moving a show along. He excels at blending social commentary into the compliments he lobs around the star-studded room. He even mentions a few of the artists set to perform during the show3.
Besides these outstanding segments, the show treated viewers to a slew of other performances, including Katseye, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter. Among the slew of live performances, the show introduced a new music video from Noah Kahan.
By the way, this year's Brit (music) Awards, scheduled for the end of the month, also features an exciting lineup of confirmed performers. Even better: it's the first time Manchester will host the event (and the first time London won't - duh! 🤪). Now, enjoy Sabrina Carpenter's peppy show opener, Manchild, before finding your favourite artists on the list of winners below.
🏆 Awards and Honours: Grammy Award 2026
Detailing the list of nominees and winners for the BAFTA Games Awards 2026 for our article was a straightforward deal. That ceremony features fewer categories (just 17), less intrigue, and nowhere near as many live performances.
By contrast, the Grammys leave us too much to talk about and so many categories to cover! So, rather than write an entry worthy of the Guinness Book of Records, we limit our table to only the main categories and top winners4.
| 📜Category | 🏆Nominees Winners in bold | 📜Category | 🏆Nominees Winners in bold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record of the Year | DtMF - Bad Bunny The Subway - Chappell Roan Manchild - Sabrina Carpenter luther - Kendrick Lamar With SZA Anxiety - Doechii WILDFLOWER - Billie Eilish Abracadabra - Lady Gaga APT. - ROSÉ, Bruno Mars | Album of the Year | SWAG - Justin Bieber Let God Sort Em Out - Clipse, Pusha T & Malice DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS Bad Bunny MUTT - Leon Thomas MAYHEM - Lady Gaga CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, The Creator GNX - Kendrick Lamar |
| Song Of The Year | Abracadabra - Lady Gaga Luther - Kendrick Lamar APT. - ROSÉ, Bruno Mars Golden - From KPop Demon Hunters WILDFLOWER - Billie Eilish DtMF - Bad Bunny Manchild - Sabrina Carpenter Anxiety - Doechii | Best New Artist | KATSEYE The Marias Addison Rae sombr Leon Thomas Olivia Dean Alex Warren Lola Young |
| Best Pop Solo Performance | DAISIES - Justin Bieber Manchild - Sabrina Carpenter Disease - Lady Gaga The Subway - Chappell Roan Messy Lola Young | Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Golden — From KPop Demon Hunters - HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI Gabriela - KATSEYE APT - ROSÉ, Bruno Mars 30 For 30 - SZA Featuring Kendrick Lamar |
| Best Pop Vocal Album | SWAG - Justin Bieber Man's Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter Something Beautiful - Miley Cyrus MAYHEM - Lady Gaga I've Tried Everything But Therapy, Part 2 - Teddy Swims | Best Dance/Electronic Recording | End Of Summer - Tame Impala No Cap - Disclosure & Anderson .Paak Victory Lap - Fred again.., Skepta, & PlaqueBoyMax SPACE INVADER - KAYTRANADA VOLTAGE Skrillex |
| Best Dance Pop Recording | Bluest Flame Selena Gomez & benny blanco benny blanco, Dylan Brady & Cashmere Cat, producers;benny blanco & Cashmere Cat, mixers Midnight Sun - Zara Larsson Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie) - Tate McRae Abracadabra - Lady Gaga Illegal - PinkPantheress | Best Dance/Electronic Album | EUSEXUA - FKA twigs Ten Days - Fred again.. Fancy That - PinkPantheress Inhale / Exhale RÜFÜS DU SOL F— U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3 Skrillex |
| Best Rock Performance | U Should Not Be Doing That - Amyl and The Sniffers The Emptiness Machine - Linkin Park Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning - YUNGBLUD feat. Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II NEVER ENOUGH - Turnstile Mirtazapine - Hayley Williams | Best Metal Performance | Night Terror Dream Theater BIRDS - Turnstile Lachryma - Ghost Emergence - Sleep Token Soft Spine - Spiritbox |
| Best Rock Song | As Alive As You Need Me To Be Caramel Glum NEVER ENOUGH Zombie | Best Rock Album | private music - Deftones I quit - HAIM From Zero - Linkin Park NEVER ENOUGH - Turnstile Idols - YUNGBLUD |
| Best Alternative Music Performance | Everything Is Peaceful Love - Bon Iver Alone - The Cure SEEIN' STARS - Turnstile mangetout - Wet Leg Parachute - Hayley Williams | Best Alternative Music Album | DON'T TAP THE GLASS - Tyler, The Creator moisturizer - Wet Leg Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party - Hayley Williams Songs Of A Lost World - The Cure SABLE, fABLE - Bon Iver |
| Best R&B Performance | MUTT Live From NPR's Tiny Desk - Leon Thomas Heart Of A Woman - Summer Walker YUKON - Justin Bieber It Depends - Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller Folded - Kehlani | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Vibes Don't Lie - Leon Thomas Here We Are - Durand Bernarr Uptown - Lalah Hathaway Love You Too - Ledisi Crybaby - SZA |
| Best Country Solo Performance | Nose on the Grindstone - Tyler Childers Bad as I Used to Be" (from F1 the Movie) - Chris Stapleton Good News - Shaboozey I Never Lie - Zach Top Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson | Best Contemporary Country Album | Patterns – Kelsea Ballerini Snipe Hunter – Tyler Childers Beautifully Broken - Jelly Roll Evangeline vs. the Machine - Eric Church Postcards from Texas - Miranda Lambert |
🎆 Grammys 2026 Special Awards
Most awards ceremonies include one or more segments to honour extraordinary achievements and celebrate beyond-the-art individuals. The Grammys are no exception and, in its typical over-the-top way, feature no fewer than seven special merit awards.
- MusiCares Person of the Year, a charity award to highlight artists' dedication to philanthropy: Mariah Carey
- Technical Grammy Award celebrates those who contribute the most to music production's technical aspects: John Chowning
- Trustees Award is for individuals who've made significant contributions to music. 2026 recipients are: songwriter Bernie Taupin, music CEO Sylvia Rhone, and Eddie Palmieri (awarded posthumously).
- Black Music Icon Award: for Black artists whose work helped shape the music industry, direction, and landscape. Brandy and Kirk Franklin are the 2026 recipients.
- Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award: Ice Cream Man, by Raye
- Lifetime Achievement Award: this year's event recognised Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon for this award; Fela Kuti and Whitney Houston received posthumous awards.
What Didn't Win Awards at the Grammy Awards 2026
The Grammys are supposed to be all about the music, but, inevitably, other aspects creep in. Politics - an obvious sore point, these days. Fashion, too. After all, if luminaries are going to dress to impress, they invite comments - good and bad, right?
Of course, this is true from the Grammys red carpet to this year's Golden Globes extravaganza. And, bashing fashion choices seems to be more of an American thing than what might happen on the BAFTAs red carpet. With that in mind, we close this chapter with a humorous (catty? 🐈) review of Grammys red carpet fashion.
📀 Grammy Awards 2026 Liner Notes
Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out.
Bad Bunny
If one adjective could summarise this year's Grammys presentation, 'messy' would be it5. Some might have considered the event too political, from Bad Bunny's acceptance speech opener to all the 'ICE Out' pins on display.
Nearly everyone, from the newcomers to the seasoned performers, took occasion to make a stand on the current political climate or their pet issue.
"Confusing" is an excellent second adjective for the 68th edition of the Grammy Awards. The whopping number of categories receiving awards is one source of confusion, let alone all the so-similar-they're-the-same categories. Besides all that, the show suffered inevitable technical glitches, envelopes didn't want to open smoothly, and other mild mishaps.
"Amazing" is this writer's favourite adjective to describe the 2026 Grammy Awards. Sure, simmering anger and fear over current doings permeate our lives, and not all types of music tickle the ear quite right. But, Friends, think about this: we still have the capacity to make music! 😲 In these times, coming together to celebrate that is nothing short of amazing, am I right?
Read All About the Grammys 2026
- Roby, India. “Everything to Know about the 2026 Grammy Awards.” Harper’s BAZAAR, 22 Jan. 2026, www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a70078974/grammy-awards-2026-news-details/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Grammy Award | American Music Award.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/art/Grammy-Award. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
- Corcoran, Nina, and Kiana Mickles. “Grammys 2026: All of the Performances.” Pitchfork, Feb. 2026, pitchfork.com/news/grammys-performers-2026-see-the-full-lineup/. Accessed 12http://pitchfork.com/news/grammys-performers-2026-see-the-full-lineup/ Feb. 2026.
- Faulkner, Clara. “2026 GRAMMYS: See the Full Nominations List | GRAMMY.com.” Grammy.com, 2 Jan. 2026, www.grammy.com/news/2026-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
- Thompson, Stephen . “Grammys 2026: 10 Takeaways from a Historic, Chaotic Night.” NPR, 2 Feb. 2026, www.npr.org/2026/02/02/nx-s1-5693062/2026-grammys-10-takeaways. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Summarize with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
