Music fans were buzzing as Olivia Dean, the 26-year-old British singer-songwriter, claimed the coveted Best New Artist award at the 2026 Grammys.
Beating out a strong field that included TikTok sensation Addison Rae, KATSEYE, The Marias, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young, Dean solidified her place as one of music’s rising stars.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Dean paid tribute to her roots, saying: “I guess I want to say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant.
I wouldn’t be here without the bravery of my family. We are nothing without each other.”
Her grandmother, a Windrush Generation immigrant from Guyana, and her diverse Jamaican and English heritage clearly inspired Dean’s bold, soulful sound.
Her second album, The Art of Loving, which features hits like Man I Need, So Easy, and The Hardest Part, helped cement her breakout year.
Lady Gaga Dominates Even Before the Spotlight
Before the live broadcast even began, Lady Gaga was already taking home two Grammys for her chart-topping track Abracadabra.
The 39-year-old artist earned Best Dance Pop Recording and Best Remixed Recording for the track’s remix by French DJ Gesaffelstein, overcoming stiff competition from Selena Gomez, Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, and PinkPantheress.
Gaga’s appearance on the red carpet was just as electric, reinforcing her reputation as a style icon and Grammy powerhouse.
Kendrick Lamar Opens the Live Broadcast with a Win
Kendrick Lamar kicked off the televised portion of the Grammys with a victory in Best Rap Album for GNX, triumphing over Clipse, Pusha T and Malice, GloRilla, JID, and Tyler, The Creator.
Leading the nominations with nine nods, the Compton rapper continues to dominate the rap scene, now with multiple chances in the top categories including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Luther featuring SZA.
A Night of Star-Studded Performances
The energy was high from the start with Bruno Mars and Rosé performing their hit APT.
Trevor Noah, returning as host for his sixth consecutive year, delivered laughs while celebrating music legends like Reba McEntire, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus, and even threw playful jabs at Nicki Minaj for her recent White House meeting.
Sabrina Carpenter brought a unique flair with an airline-inspired performance of Manchild, highlighting the event’s mix of established stars and emerging talent.
Grammy Categories Expand and Evolve
This year, the Recording Academy introduced two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, aiming to reflect today’s diverse music landscape.
As CEO Harvey Mason Jr. explained, the goal is to “represent the music people that we serve each year” and honor deserving creators in every genre.
Eligibility for the 2026 Grammys covered recordings released in the U.S. between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025, with final voting taking place in late December through early January.
Album of the Year Contenders Shine
The Album of the Year race is stacked with big names: Kendrick Lamar (GNX), Lady Gaga (MAYHEM), Sabrina Carpenter (Man’s Best Friend), Justin Bieber (SWAG), Bad Bunny (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), Tyler, the Creator (CHROMAKOPIA), Leon Thomas (MUTT), and Clipse, Pusha T & Malice (Let God Sort Em Out).
Notably, Lamar is aiming for his first win in this category, despite being the only artist with five consecutive Album of the Year nominations.
Bieber, returning after a four-year hiatus, will also perform live, while Selena Gomez, who co-produced Bluest Flame with Benny Blanco, adds extra intrigue given her past relationship with Bieber.
The Big Four Categories
- Record of the Year: Bad Bunny (DtMF), Sabrina Carpenter (Manchild), Doechii (Anxiety), Billie Eilish (Wildflower), Lady Gaga (Abracadabra), Lamar & SZA (Luther), Chappell Roan (The Subway), Rosé & Bruno Mars (APT).
- Song of the Year: Mirrors Record of the Year with the exception of KPop Golden replacing The Subway.
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Justin Bieber (Daisies), Sabrina Carpenter (Manchild), Lady Gaga (Disease), Chappell Roan (The Subway), Lola Young (Messy).
- Best New Artist: Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young.
Highlights from Genre Categories
- Best Rock Performance: YUNGBLUD ft. Nuno Bettencourt – Back To The Beginning
- Best Metal Performance: Turnstile – BIRDS
- Best Alternative Music Album: The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
- Best R&B Song: Kehlani – Folded
- Best Rap Album: Kendrick Lamar – GNX
- Best Global Music Album: Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo
- Best Latin Pop Album: Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera
Across 95 categories, the Grammys celebrated first-time nominees like Tate McRae, Zara Larsson, and PinkPantheress, while honoring veterans like Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Justin Bieber.
A Ceremony Full of Firsts
Several milestones defined this year’s ceremony:
- For the first time, three albums (GNX, Let God Sort Em Out, CHROMAKOPIA) are nominated for both Best Rap Album and Album of the Year.
- Bad Bunny becomes only the second artist with an all-Spanish language album nominated for Album of the Year.
- Lady Gaga is nominated simultaneously in all three of the “big” categories—Album, Record, and Song of the Year—for the first time.
With powerhouse performances, groundbreaking wins, and emotional speeches, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards reinforced why it remains music’s biggest night.
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