The 68th annual Grammy Awards air Sunday night from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, promising a packed, history-making show that leans hard into music, momentum and major transitions for the Recording Academy.
The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, marking the final year the Grammys will be broadcast on CBS — a relationship that dates back to 1973. It’s also the last time comedian Trevor Noah will serve as host, closing a six-year run that helped modernize the show’s tone.
A More Diverse Voting Body — And What It Could Mean
One of the biggest behind-the-scenes changes this year could have major implications for the winners. For the first time, all Latin Grammy voting members were invited to join the Recording Academy electorate, a move officials say reflects the global dominance of Latin music.
That expanded voting pool could boost the chances of Bad Bunny, whose album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” is nominated for album of the year. A win would make history as the first all-Spanish-language album to claim the Grammys’ top prize — and would come just days before his Super Bowl halftime performance.
Country Music Changes Stir Debate
The Grammys are also reshaping how they recognize country music. Best country album has been renamed best contemporary country album, while a new best traditional country album category has been added.
While Recording Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. insists the change had been in the works for years, some fans and artists see it as a reaction to Beyoncé’s win in the category last year — a moment that sparked widespread debate about genre boundaries, inclusion and gatekeeping.
Kendrick Lamar Returns After a Historic Year
Kendrick Lamar enters the 2026 Grammy Awards as the night’s most-nominated artist, leading all contenders with nine nominations — and he does so fresh off one of the strongest Grammy performances of his career.
At last year’s ceremony, Lamar took home five Grammy Awards, including two of the night’s biggest honors — song of the year and record of the year — for “They Not Like Us.” He also won best rap performance, best rap song, and best music video, a sweep that underscored both his cultural impact and his continued artistic relevance more than a decade into his career.
Those wins pushed Lamar’s career total to 22 Grammy Awards, placing him among the most decorated hip-hop artists in Grammy history.
This year, Lamar once again leads the field with nine nominations, the most of any artist. His album “GNX” is nominated for album of the year, positioning him for another potential history-making moment. Several tracks from the project are also nominated across major categories, including record of the year and song of the year, reaffirming his ability to dominate both album-driven and single-driven races.
If “GNX” wins album of the year, Lamar would become only the third rap artist to take home the Grammys’ top prize — a feat achieved previously by Lauryn Hill in 1999 and Outkast in 2004. Even without a win in the top category, Lamar’s presence looms large over this year’s ceremony, as both a critical favorite and a commercial force.
With recent wins still fresh and another slate of high-profile nominations, Lamar enters Sunday’s ceremony not just as a contender — but as one of the defining artists of the Grammy era.
A Breakout New Artist to Watch: Leon Thomas
Among the most intriguing newcomers is Leon Thomas, who earned six nominations — the most among the best new artist contenders.
Thomas’ sound leans toward a modern take on classic R&B, blending smooth vocals with throwback soul influences that feel both familiar and fresh. Before stepping fully into the spotlight, he built an impressive résumé behind the scenes, including co-writing Snooze for SZA, a track that earned him a Grammy win as a producer. Now, he’s emerging as one of the genre’s most promising new voices.
K-Pop on the Brink of History
Despite its global popularity, K-pop has never won a Grammy — but that could change this year. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ collaboration “APT.” is nominated for song and record of the year, while “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters is also up for song of the year.
If either wins, it would be a landmark moment for the genre and signal a broader shift in how global pop is embraced by the Academy.
A Performance-Heavy Night
Executive producers say music will take center stage more than ever. The show will feature 18 to 19 performances in just three and a half hours, including a massive 20-minute back-to-back segment spotlighting all eight best new artist nominees.
Confirmed performers include Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Pharrell Williams, Tyler, the Creator, and the full slate of best new artist nominees — ensuring a fast-moving, music-first broadcast.
A Powerful In Memoriam
The Grammys will also pause to reflect. Producers have confirmed an extended In Memoriam segment, acknowledging the significant number of influential artists lost in the past year. The tribute will include performances honoring D’Angelo, Roberta Flack, and Ozzy Osbourne.
Lifetime Achievement Honors
Ahead of Sunday’s broadcast, the Recording Academy honored Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, and Whitney Houston with Lifetime Achievement Awards — underscoring the ceremony’s blend of legacy and next-generation talent.
When to Watch
The Grammys air Sunday at 8 p.m. CT With tight races, historic firsts, and wall-to-wall performances, this year’s show is shaping up to be less about spectacle — and more about the music itself.