See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.
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"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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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.