Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny made history at the 68th Grammy Awards, becoming the first Latin artist to win Album of the Year, as artists used the stage to speak out against the United States’ immigration crackdown.
The 31-year-old, born Benito Ocasio, claimed the night’s top honour for his sixth studio album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a deeply personal project celebrating Puerto Rico’s musical heritage. He edged out nominees including Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar to secure the prestigious award.
Visibly emotional, Bad Bunny dedicated his win to immigrants who leave their homes in search of opportunity.
“This is for everyone who leaves their home, their land, their country, to follow their dreams,” he said.
Earlier in the evening, while accepting Best Música Urbana Album, he delivered a more direct message: “ICE out. We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
His remarks echoed a broader theme of the ceremony, with several artists voicing support for immigrant communities. British singer Olivia Dean, named Best New Artist, described herself as “the granddaughter of an immigrant” and credited the Windrush generation for her success. Others, including Kehlani, Gloria Estefan and Billie Eilish, also spoke out, while many attendees wore “ICE out” badges on the red carpet.
Eilish took home Song of the Year for Wildflower, her third win in the category this decade, and urged Americans to continue “fighting and speaking up and protesting.”
Kendrick Lamar dominated the rap categories, winning Best Rap Album for GNX, bringing his career Grammy tally to 26 — surpassing Jay-Z — before adding a 27th award for Record of the Year with Luther, a duet with SZA that samples the late Luther Vandross.
The night also featured lighter, if occasionally chaotic, moments. Cher briefly left the stage before announcing Record of the Year and misread the winner’s card, causing confusion before Lamar’s victory was confirmed.
Lady Gaga collected her 16th Grammy when Mayhem won Best Pop Album and used her speech to encourage women in music to assert their creative voices. “Fight for your songs, fight for yourself,” she said.
Other milestones included the first Grammy win for a K-pop track, with Golden from the film KPop Demon Hunters earning Best Song for Visual Media. London artist Lola Young secured Best Pop Performance for her breakout single Messy.
Bad Bunny ultimately walked away with three awards, underscoring the growing global influence of Latin music. Streaming has helped bridge language barriers, with the star ranking among the world’s most-played artists last year.
Accepting the night’s top prize in Spanish, he reflected on the album’s themes of loss and resilience.
“For all the people who have lost someone close and kept going with strength, this award is for you,” he said.
The ceremony blended political commentary with high-energy performances from artists including Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber and Lauryn Hill, alongside tributes to music legends such as Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne and Roberta Flack.
While only nine awards were presented during the televised broadcast, dozens more were handed out earlier in the day but it was Bad Bunny’s historic win, and the clear message from the stage, that defined the night.
In short: golden gramophones, global beats, and more than a little politics under the spotlight.