Short Description: Everything you need to know about the 2026 Grammy Awards: winners list, major upsets, and how to watch the highlights.
Read Time: 6 minutes, 30 seconds
Main Article
The 2026 Grammys were a night defined by both historic recognition and a new wave dominating the biggest categories. Held at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena and broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+, the ceremony saw Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar secure their status as industry titans, while rising stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Leon Thomas cemented their arrival at music’s highest table. The event also introduced two new categories, Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, reflecting the Recording Academy’s aim to honor a wider spectrum of musical craft and album artistry.
The top prizes delivered both predictable and surprising outcomes. Kendrick Lamar, with his critically acclaimed album GNX, was crowned with the prestigious Album of the Year award. Lady Gaga’s powerful single “Abracadabra” not only won Best Pop Solo Performance but also earned the Best Remixed Recording for Gesaffelstein’s rework, showcasing her versatility across genres. In a highly competitive Song of the Year category, Billie Eilish’s “WILDFLOWER” took home the honor for songwriting excellence. The ceremony highlighted the blurred lines of modern genre, with FKA twigs winning Best Dance/Electronic Album for EUSEXUA and Tyler, The Creator securing the inaugural Best Album Cover award for CHROMAKOPIA.
Significant wins underscored the awards’ peer-voted nature, celebrating both sonic innovation and technical prowess. Cirkut was recognized as Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, a testament to his chart-defining work, while Amy Allen earned Songwriter of the Year. In a standout moment for R&B, Leon Thomas’s acclaimed album MUTT won Best R&B Album. The new Best Traditional Country Album award went to Zach Top’s Ain’t In It For My Health, honoring the genre’s roots. For viewers who missed the live broadcast, all performances, red carpet moments, and acceptance speeches are available for streaming on-demand on Paramount+, with exclusive highlights available year-round on live.grammy.com.
Short Summary
The 2026 Grammy Awards celebrated artistic diversity, with Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga claiming top honors. The introduction of new categories like Best Traditional Country Album expanded the awards’ scope, while on-demand access via Paramount+ ensures fans won’t miss a moment of music’s biggest night. From breakthrough wins to veteran accolades, this year’s Grammys highlighted the dynamic and evolving landscape of the global music industry.
