Bad Bunny Makes Grammys History With Album of the Year Win
LOS ANGELES — Global music icon Bad Bunny made history at the 2026 Grammy Awards after winning Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed release Debí Tirar Más Fotos, becoming the first artist to claim the Recording Academy’s top honor with a Spanish-language album.
The milestone victory capped a powerful and emotional night at the 68th Grammy Awards, marking a defining moment not only for Latin music but for global representation on the world’s biggest music stage.
Accepting the award in Spanish, Bad Bunny paid tribute to his roots and to Puerto Rico, referencing a popular local saying about the island’s small size.
“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said. “There is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, and to everyone who has believed in me throughout my career.”
He went on to thank those closest to him, including his mother, before switching to English to broaden his message.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams,” he said, drawing sustained applause from the audience.
The win signals a major shift for the Grammy Awards, highlighting the growing influence of non-English-language music in mainstream global culture.
The ceremony also delivered several other emotional highlights. British singer Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, becoming visibly emotional as she reflected on her family’s immigrant roots.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” she said. “I am a product of bravery, and those people deserve to be celebrated.”
The night included a moving in memoriam segment honoring late music legends D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, celebrating their enduring impact on music history.
Another historic moment saw Ms. Lauryn Hill return to the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999 — the year she became the first hip-hop artist to win Album of the Year for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
With Bad Bunny’s landmark win, the 2026 Grammys will be remembered as a turning point — one that redefined the global sound of success.
Source: Arab News
