A Night of Two Stars: The 2026 AMAs and Grammys Deliver Music's Biggest Moments
The 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) and the 68th Annual Grammy Awards celebrated the best in music across two separate nights, honoring a wide range of artists from pop and hip-hop to country and Latin. The following report consolidates the key winners and details from both events.
The 2026 American Music Awards
The 52nd annual American Music Awards were held on May 25, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the ceremony was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Major Awards
- Artist of the Year: BTS
- Song of the Year: "Golden" by HUNTR/X (EJAE, Rei Ami, Audrey Nuna)
- New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE
- Collaboration of the Year: "All The Way" by BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman
- Tour of the Year: Shakira – "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour"
Genre-Specific Awards
- Best Pop Song: "Golden" by HUNTR/X
- Best Hip-Hop Song: "ErrTime" by Cardi B
- Best Rock/Alternative Song: "back to friends" by Sombr
- Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots
- Best Rock/Alternative Album: I Barely Know Her by Sombr
- Best Latin Song: "NUEVAYoL" by Bad Bunny
- Best Latin Album: Tropicoqueta by Karol G
- Best Latin Duo or Group: Fuerza Regida
- Best Male Country Artist: Jelly Roll
- Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley
- Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars
- Best Female R&B Artist: SZA
- Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas
- Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS
- Best Female K-Pop Artist: aespa
- Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta
- Best Afrobeats Artist: Burna Boy
Special Awards and Performances
"Lifetime Achievement Award: Billy Idol" — A rock legend was honored for his enduring impact.
- International Artist Award of Excellence: Karol G (presented by John Legend)
- Veterans Voice Award: Darius Rucker
- Song of the Summer: "SWIM" by BTS
- Best Throwback Song: "Rock That Body" by Black Eyed Peas
- Best Music Video: "Gnarly" by KATSEYE
- Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
Performances at the ceremony included Hootie and the Blowfish, The Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes, Sombr, and Billy Idol. Presenters included Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Hilary Duff, Jason Derulo, John Legend, and BTS.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The event featured a Premiere Ceremony hosted by Darren Criss at the Peacock Theater, where the majority of the 95-96 award categories were announced. The main telecast, hosted by Trevor Noah, began at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Starting next year, the Grammy Awards will be exclusively simulcast on ABC, Hulu, and Disney+.
Major Awards
- Album of the Year: Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny
- Record of the Year: "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA
- Song of the Year: "Wildflower" by Billie Eilish
- Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
Pop, Dance, and Electronic Categories
- Best Pop Solo Performance: "Messy" by Lola Young
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Mayhem (or MAYHEM) by Lady Gaga
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Defying Gravity" by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
- Best Dance Pop Recording / Best Dance-Pop Recording: "Abracadabra" by Lady Gaga
- Best Dance/Electronic Album: Eusexua by FKA twigs
- Best Dance/Electronica Recording / Best Dance/Electronic Recording: "End of Summer" by Tame Impala
Rap, R&B, and Hip-Hop Categories
"Kendrick Lamar led the Grammy nominations with nine, including Album of the Year for GNX." He dominated the night with multiple wins.
- Best Rap Album: GNX by Kendrick Lamar
- Best Rap Performance: "Chains & Whips" by Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams
- Best Rap Song: "TV Off" by Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay
- Best Melodic Rap Performance: "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- Best R&B Album: Mutt by Leon Thomas
- Best R&B Performance: "Folded" by Kehlani
- Best Traditional R&B Performance: "Vibes Don’t Lie" by Leon Thomas
- Best R&B Song: "Folded" by Kehlani
Country and Americana Categories
- Best Contemporary Country Album: Beautifully Broken by Jelly Roll
- Best Country Solo Performance: "Bad As I Used to Be" by Chris Stapleton
- Best Country Song: "Bitin’ List" by Tyler Childers
- Best Traditional Country Album: Ain’t In It for My Health by Zach Top
Rock, Metal, and Alternative Categories
- Best Rock Album: Never Enough by Turnstile
- Best Rock Performance: "Changes (Live from Villa Park, Back to the Beginning)" by Yungblud
- Best Metal Performance: "Birds" by Turnstile
- Best Rock Song: "As Alive as You Need Me to Be" by Nine Inch Nails
- Best Alternative Music Album: Songs of a Lost World by The Cure
- Best Alternative Music Performance: "Alone" by The Cure
Latin and Global Music Categories
- Best Música Urbana Album: Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny
- Best Global Music Performance: "EoO" by Bad Bunny
- Best African Music Performance: "PUSH 2 START" by Tyla
Visual Media and Other Categories
- Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: Sinners
- Best Music Video: "Anxiety" by Doechii
- Best Song Written for Visual Media: "Golden" by Huntr/x (from KPop: Demon Hunters)
- Best Folk Album: Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her
- Best Comedy Album: Your Friend, Nate Bargatze by Nate Bargatze
- Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: Skillz: Words for Days, Vol. 1
- Best Jazz Performance: "Windows (live)" by Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
- Best Orchestral Performance: "Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie" performed by Andris Nelsons (conductor) and the Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Producer of the Year: Cirkut
- Songwriter of the Year: Amy Allen
Notable Facts
New categories for this Grammy ceremony included Best Album Cover. The Best Country Album category was divided into Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album. Performers for the ceremony included Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Clipse.