The Grammys handed out their 68th round of awards last night at a ceremony dominated by famous faces, a stunning run by Bad Bunny — and, most notably, a raft of political proclamations from many of the night’s winners, colouring an emotionally-charged night that stood in stark contrast to last month’s tepid Golden Globes.
But the first champion of the night was without question Kendrick Lamar. After an incredibly dominant performance at last year’s awards, his crowning achievement came with the first award of the night. In taking home best rap album for GNX, Lamar became the most awarded rapper in Grammys history. Later that night, he’d earn another crown: record of the year for Luther, featuring SZA.
That honour was queued up by a somewhat bizarre, somewhat charming announcement by Cher. The singer, who was also there to accept a lifetime achievement award, first prematurely walked off stage before reading the winner, then left an uncomfortably long pause while waiting for someone else to call the winner. When she finally did read the name, she proceeded to read the wrong one.
When Lamar eventually did take the stage, the musician would echo sentiments similar to his earlier acceptance speech — once again playing it safe by avoiding overt political statements.
And then SZA took the mic.
“Please don’t fall into despair, I know that right now is a scary time,” she said. “We’re not governed by the government, we’re governed by God.”
It was that kind of topical, politics-infused statement that seeped out in dribs and drabs Sunday night, found in everything from monologues to tear-stained final acceptance speeches.
It was kicked off and sustained by host Trevor Noah, performing his sixth and final run hosting the ceremonies. He first sent a jab at the notably absent rapper Nicki Minaj, who recently claimed she was the “no. 1 fan” of the U.S. president: “She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues,” Noah quipped.
Then, he made a pithy comparison between the president and the coveted song of the year award.
“Wow, that is a Grammy that every artist wants, almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” he said. “Which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone. He needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
Shortly after the ceremony, Trump posted on social media that he would “sue this poor, pathetic, talentless dope of an M.C.”
But still, the theme of politically-charged, Trump-inspired statements carried on, including by Olivia Dean. After a series of performances by fellow best new artist nominees (including Lola Young, who later gained a surprise win for best pop solo performance over Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan), the English singer-songwriter mounted the stage to take her trophy.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” she proclaimed. “I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.”
‘We are not savage’
Later, contemporary country album winner Jelly Roll (triumphing for his Beautifully Broken) got in on the act, stating in his acceptance that “Jesus is not owned by one political party.” And from there, Carole King, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani, Rhiannon Giddens, Finneas and Billie Eilish all sported anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement pins; with the last ending her song of the year acceptance speech (winning for Wildflower) saying “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
And then, something more direct: “F–ck ICE.”
When accepting his música urbana album award for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos — his second of three wins at this year’s ceremonies — Bad Bunny made perhaps the most clear statement of all.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said. “We are not savage, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.”
The clarity and pervasiveness of those protests were a significant shift from January’s Golden Globes, which were almost devoid of political statements. Granted, those awards occurred before ICE agents detained five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and federal agents shot Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, as well as the arrest of journalist Don Lemon.
Other than the overtly political, Sunday’s show — which lasted more than three hours — swung between more-or-less predictable winners, more-or-less impressive performances, and just risqué-enough jokes. That included one crack at the expense of Canada. Referencing the rap beef that will seemingly never die, Noah opened the night with a congratulation for Lamar on his nine total nominations.
“Congratulations; and that is all I’m going to say,” Noah said, before touching on the long-running feud between him and Drake that saw Lamar unite a veritable justice league of stars at his 2025 Super Bowl performance to diss the Canadian rapper.
“I actually thought about writing a few jokes roasting you, but then I remembered what you can do to light-skinned dudes from other countries.”
There was Lady Gaga’s win for best pop album for Mayhem — her second win, after a pre-televised best dance pop recording for Abracadabra. Then there were Canadians who eked out gold: that included Cirkut, who won producer of the year, and Justin Gray, who won best immersive audio album.
And there were the performances. Though he was shut out in all four categories for which he was nominated, Justin Bieber mounted the stage clad in only boxers to croon a stripped-down version of Yukon. Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, and music producer Andrew Watt and Guns N’ Roses bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan formed a rock supergroup to tribute Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
Bruno Mars and Rosé kicked off the night with a version of their smash hit APT, and Lauryn Hill and a who’s-who of R&B and soul artists gave an extended tribute to Roberta Flack and D’Angelo.
And there was the closing moment: an emotional, crying Bad Bunny mounting the stage once again. This time, it was to accept album of the year — the first time the trophy went to an all-Spanish release.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the people that had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams,” he said in the only part of his speech spoken in English.
And then the music played, and the night was over.
