Trevor Noah Hosts Star-Studded 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles
The music industry's biggest night unfolded at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, as the 2026 Grammy Awards celebrated excellence across 95 categories. Hosted by the acclaimed comic Trevor Noah, the event brought together the best of the music business, with artists vying for top honors and showcasing their talents in a glittering ceremony.
Top Nominees and Historic Contenders
Kendrick Lamar entered the evening as a frontrunner, leading the pack with an impressive nine nominations for his album "GNX." With 22 Grammys already to his name, the kinetic rapper from Compton, California, stood on the brink of history. A successful night could have crowned him the most Grammy-winning rapper of all time, adding significant hardware to his illustrious collection.
Lady Gaga strutted into the show with seven nominations, recognized for her mercurial and maximalist electro-clash album "Mayhem" and the jazz standard-centric companion piece "Harlequin," tied to the 2024 film "Joker: Folie à Deux." Her dual nominations highlighted her versatility and enduring impact on the music scene.
Other notable contenders included rapper Bad Bunny, who was up for six awards, poised for a momentous week as he also prepared to headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show the following Sunday. Pop sweetheart Sabrina Carpenter charmed her way to six nominations for her coquettish seventh studio album, "Man's Best Friend."
New Categories and Performances
The 2026 Grammys introduced two brand new categories, reflecting evolving trends in the industry. In a significant move, Best Country Album was split into two separate brackets: Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album. This change came just a year after Beyoncé made history as the first Black artist to win top western honors for "Cowboy Carter." Additionally, Best Album Cover received its own trophy for the first time, acknowledging the artistry of visual design in music.
The evening featured a dynamic lineup of performances, with Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, ROSÉ, Tyler the Creator, Bruno Mars, Clipse, and Pharrell Williams taking the stage. The slate of Best New Artist contenders was showcased through live music from acts like Katseye, Olivia Dean, Leon Thomas, Addison Rae, Sombr, Lola Young, The Marías, and Alex Warren, offering a glimpse into the future of music.
Winners and Highlights
As the awards were presented, several artists celebrated their victories. YUNGBLUD won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his cover of Black Sabbath's "Changes," while FKA Twigs accepted the award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Kehlani had a standout first winning Grammy night, doubling up with wins for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Folded."
Other key winners included:
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for "Defying Gravity"
- Best Rock Album: Turnstile for "Never Enough"
- Best R&B Album: Leon Thomas for "Mutt"
- Best Alternative Music Album: The Cure for "Songs of a Lost World"
- Best Music Video: Doechii for "Anxiety"
- Best Album Cover: "Chromakopia"
The awards also recognized achievements in specialized genres, such as Best African Music Performance going to Tyla for "Push 2 Start" and Best Reggae Album to Keznamdi for "BLXXD & FYAH."
Broadcast and Streaming Details
The 2026 Grammy Awards aired live on CBS starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with premium subscribers able to stream the event on Paramount+. The broadcast captured the excitement and glamour of the night, from red carpet arrivals to emotional acceptance speeches, solidifying its status as a premier event in the entertainment calendar.
