The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are officially in full swing at the Crypto.com Arena, and if the first few hours are any indication, we’re witnessing a seismic shift in music royalty. While the night is still young, the headlines are already writing themselves.
Kendrick’s Crown and Justin’s Comeback: The 2026 Grammys Are Already Making History
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are officially in full swing at the Crypto.com Arena, and if the first few hours are any indication, we’re witnessing a seismic shift in music royalty. While the night is still young, the headlines are already writing themselves.
Kendrick Lamar Becomes the G.O.A.T. (Officially)
Kendrick Lamar didn’t just walk into the arena as the most-nominated artist; he walked in ready to break the internet. By taking home Best Rap Album for GNX during the first hour of the telecast, Lamar officially surpassed Jay-Z to become the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with 26 career wins. His acceptance speech was characteristically humble: “I’m not good at talking about myself; I express it through the music.” With the “Big Three” categories (Album, Record, and Song of the Year) still to come, Kendrick might just need a bigger trophy room by midnight.
Justin Bieber’s “Bare” Performance
After a four-year hiatus from the Grammy stage, Justin Bieber made his highly anticipated return to perform “Yukon” from his album SWAG. In a move that had social media instantly buzzing, Bieber took the stage shirtless, wearing only boxers and socks, wielding a purple electric guitar. Using a loop pedal to build a stripped-back, soulful version of the track, he reminded everyone why he’s still a pop powerhouse while his wife, Hailey, cheered from the front row.
First-Time Winners and K-Pop Milestones
The “Premiere Ceremony” earlier today was far from a side-show. We saw legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg officially clinch EGOT status, winning Best Music Film for the John Williams documentary. History was also made in the K-pop world, as “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Song Written for Visual Media—the first-ever Grammy for a K-pop act.
The Performances You Missed (Or Need to Rewatch)
The show opened with an electric, pop-punk-infused performance of “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars, followed by a cinematic “Manchild” medley from Sabrina Carpenter. Addison Rae even took the production to the parking garage for a Britney-inspired rendition of “Fame Is a Gun.”
