The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony is ongoing in Los Angeles, following a lengthy Premiere Ceremony. This prestigious event, hosted by Trevor Noah, is airing live from the Crypto.com Arena on CBS and Paramount+. The Recording Academy is celebrating the most notable musical achievements of the past year across 95 categories.
Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, claimed their third Song of the Year award for “Wildflower.” They had previously won for “Bad Guy” in 2020 and “What Was I Made For?” in 2024. Eilish, during her acceptance speech, highlighted the issue of ownership of land, stating, “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
Olivia Dean received the award for Best New Artist, presented by the prior year’s winner, Chappel Roan. During her speech, Dean embraced her heritage as the granddaughter of an immigrant, emphasising the importance of bravery and community in her journey.
Kendrick Lamar won his first award of the evening, securing Best Rap Album for GNX. This victory positions him ahead of Jay-Z as the rapper with the most Grammy wins. Earlier in the Premiere Ceremony, he also won three other awards, including Best Rap Song for “tv off” and Best Melodic Rap Performance for “luther,” featuring SZA.
Bad Bunny celebrated his fourth Grammy win for Best Música Urbana Album with Debí Tirar Más Fotos. He called for unity, stressing the power of love over hate in his acceptance speech. Jelly Roll also achieved recognition, winning Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken.
The audience witnessed dynamic performances, including those by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Upcoming acts include Lauryn Hill, making her Grammy stage return after 1999, and Reba McIntyre, who performs at the Grammys for the first time. As the ceremony progresses, more winners will be revealed, enhancing the excitement of this iconic musical celebration.
Vocabulary List:
- Prestigious /prɛsˈtɪdʒ.əs/ (adjective): Having high status or reputation.
- Emphasising /ˈɛmfəsaɪzɪŋ/ (verb): Giving special importance or prominence to something.
- Recognition /ˌrɛkəgˈnɪʃən/ (noun): The acknowledgment of something’s validity or importance.
- Unity /ˈjuː.nɪ.ti/ (noun): The state of being united or joined as a whole.
- Ceremony /ˈsɛr.ə.moni/ (noun): A formal event held on a special occasion.
- Dynamic /daɪˈnæm.ɪk/ (adjective): Characterized by constant change activity or progress.
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