Of Course the Grammys Were Going to be Political. But That’s Not All That Happened

February 2, 2026

The Grammy Awards ceremony saw historic achievements as Bad Bunny became the first artist to win Album of the Year for a Spanish-language record with "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," while Kendrick Lamar set a new record as the most-awarded rap artist in Grammy history with five wins. Both artists used their platform to make pointed political statements, particularly against ICE and immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration. The evening featured memorable moments including Cher's envelope-reading mishap, Steven Spielberg achieving EGOT status, and emotional tributes to deceased musicians including a metal performance honoring Ozzy Osbourne.

Who is affected

Bad Bunny (won Album of the Year)
Kendrick Lamar (won five Grammys including Record of the Year)
Puerto Ricans and immigrants who had to leave their homeland
SZA (won Record of the Year with Kendrick Lamar)
Steven Spielberg (achieved EGOT status)
Billie Eilish and Finneas (won Song of the Year)
Lola Young (won Best Pop Solo Performance)
The Osbourne family (Sharon, Kelly, and Jack)
The Dalai Lama (won Grammy for audiobook)
Lady Gaga (won Pop Vocal Album category)
Olivia Dean (won Best New Artist)
K-pop artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami (won for "Golden")

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are currently described in the article. The article reports on events that occurred during the Grammy Awards ceremony and statements made during acceptance speeches.

Why it matters

This Grammy ceremony represents significant cultural milestones, particularly Bad Bunny's historic win as the first Spanish-language Album of the Year recipient, which validates Latin music's mainstream prominence. The political statements made by artists like Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish against ICE demonstrate how major entertainment platforms are being used to challenge immigration policies. The event's recognition of diverse artists from TikTok, K-pop, and various musical genres reflects the evolving landscape of the music industry and changing pathways to success.

What's next

Bad Bunny will perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show next Sunday, a performance that has generated both anticipation and criticism from conservatives.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint