Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar lead a charged Grammys night as artists openly condemn ICE policies

The 2026 Grammy Awards unfolded as one of the most politically charged ceremonies in recent memory, as Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar emerged as the night’s biggest winners while musicians used the global stage to denounce US immigration enforcement policies.

Bad Bunny collected three major awards, including album of the year, best música urbana album and global music performance. During his acceptance speech, he directly criticised anti-immigration sentiment, delivering a statement that drew loud applause inside the arena. He became the first Spanish-language artist to win album of the year, marking a historic moment amid an evening defined by outspoken political expression.

Throughout the ceremony, artists wore anti-ICE pins, while others used their speeches and interviews to voice opposition to immigration crackdowns. Billie Eilish, who won song of the year for Wildflower, told the audience that “no one is illegal on stolen land” and urged continued protest and activism. Her remarks echoed the broader tone of the night, where artistic achievement and political resistance were closely intertwined.

Kendrick Lamar further cemented his legacy by winning five Grammys, including record of the year for Luther with SZA, as well as rap album and rap song. The victories made Lamar the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with 27 wins. Accepting his awards, Lamar kept his remarks brief, saying he expresses himself best through music.

SZA also addressed the political climate during her speech, urging resilience and unity. “We need each other,” she said, encouraging hope amid turmoil. Kehlani, who won two R&B awards, delivered one of the most direct statements of the night during a red-carpet interview, saying it was unthinkable for such a powerful gathering of artists not to make a statement.

The award for best new artist went to Olivia Dean, who highlighted her family’s immigrant history during her acceptance speech. She described herself as “a product of bravery,” drawing sustained applause from the audience.

Veteran artist Gloria Estefan added her voice after winning best tropical Latin album, expressing concern over immigration enforcement affecting families and children. She called for greater humanity, noting that many detained individuals had contributed to American society for decades.

Lady Gaga took home awards for pop vocal album and dance-pop recording, using her speech to address the challenges faced by women in the music industry. In one of the night’s surprises, Lola Young defeated Gaga, Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter to win pop solo performance.

Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status after winning best music film for a documentary he produced, calling the honour deeply meaningful. Other notable wins included Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers in the country categories, while Joni Mitchell secured her 11th Grammy for best historical album.

The ceremony also featured emotional tribute segments, honouring music legends through performances and reunions that drew strong reactions from the audience.

Hosted for the final time by Trevor Noah, the ceremony blended humour with pointed commentary. Noah described the Grammys as “the best concert money can’t buy” and joked about term limits while acknowledging the charged atmosphere of the evening.

While the night crowned multiple musical triumphs, the defining feature of the 2026 Grammys was its unapologetic political tone, transforming the ceremony into a high-profile platform for protest as well as celebration.