Bad Bunny wins Grammy album of the year at Los Angeles ceremony

Bad Bunny won the Grammy Award for best album at the 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony held Sunday at Los Angeles's Crypto.com Arena, cementing his position as one of music's biggest global stars. The Puerto Rican artist's album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" beat out releases from Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse with Pusha T and Malice, and Lady Gaga to claim the night's most prestigious prize.

The awards show, which drew major names from across the music industry to the downtown Los Angeles venue, marked several historic moments. Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the sixth and final time, while CBS broadcast the Grammy Awards for the last time after more than half a century. The network's coverage ends this year, with the awards moving to Disney outlets beginning in 2027.

Background

The Grammy Awards have long served as the music industry's biggest night, recognizing artistic achievement and commercial success across dozens of categories. Bad Bunny's win represents a major moment for Latin music on the Grammy stage. The artist has built a massive global following over recent years, breaking streaming records and topping charts worldwide with his blend of reggaeton, trap, and other Latin styles.

Bad Bunny was not the only major winner of the evening. The night's other top prizes went to established and emerging artists across different genres. Olivia Dean took home the award for new artist, marking recognition for a rising star in the music world. Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas won song of the year, continuing their track record of success at the Grammys. Kendrick Lamar, appearing alongside singer SZA, won record of the year.

Key Details

The Grammy Awards ceremony presented 95 awards total across the evening. The majority of these awards were handed out during a non-televised premiere ceremony earlier in the day, which was hosted by actor and singer Darren Criss. This arrangement allowed the main television broadcast to focus on the most high-profile categories and performances.

Lady Gaga also had a strong showing at the ceremony, winning in the best pop solo performance category with her song "Abracadabra." The remix version of the same track, remixed by Gesaffelstein, took home the award for best remixed recording.

Other notable winners across the evening included The Cure, who won best rock album for "Songs of a Lost World," and Buddy Guy, who took home best traditional blues album for "Ain't Done With the Blues." The ceremony featured winners across classical music, jazz, country, reggae, children's music, and comedy albums, reflecting the breadth of the Grammy Awards.

Broadcasting Changes

The move away from CBS marks the end of an era for the Grammy Awards broadcast. CBS has carried the ceremony since the 1970s, making it a consistent presence on the network for decades. The shift to Disney outlets, which include ABC and streaming services, reflects broader changes in how audiences consume entertainment and awards show content.

What This Means

Bad Bunny's album of the year win signals the continued growth of Latin music in the mainstream music industry. While reggaeton and Latin trap have grown in popularity over the past decade, major Grammy recognition at this level remains significant. The win puts Bad Bunny among the most decorated artists in recent Grammy history.

The ceremony's final year on CBS also marks a transition point for how the music industry celebrates its achievements. The move to Disney platforms suggests the Recording Academy believes it can reach larger or different audiences through streaming and cable outlets. Whether this change affects viewership and cultural impact of the awards remains to be seen.

For the artists who won Sunday night, the Grammy Awards provided validation and recognition that typically translates into increased sales, streaming numbers, and concert ticket demand. Bad Bunny's win in particular comes as the artist continues to dominate global music charts and streaming platforms.

"The night's major Grammys went to Olivia Dean for new artist, Billie Eilish and Finneas for song of the year, Kendrick Lamar with SZA for record of the year and Bad Bunny for album of the year." – Grammy Awards Official Records

The 2026 Grammy Awards reflected a music industry that continues to evolve, with Latin music gaining more prominent recognition and traditional broadcast television giving way to digital and cable platforms. Bad Bunny's victory stands as the night's defining moment, representing both his personal achievement and a broader shift in what music the industry chooses to honor at its highest level.