Music Stars Claim Early Victories
The 2026 Grammy Awards have begun with several major stars winning early honors. British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, American rapper Kendrick Lamar, global superstar Bad Bunny, and pop icon Lady Gaga all secured wins in initial categories. These awards were announced during the pre-telecast ceremony before the main show. The early successes set a dramatic tone for the rest of the evening. All eyes are now on the biggest award of the night. Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny are all nominated for the prestigious Album of the Year award, with each hoping for their first-ever win in that top category.
Olivia Dean Wins A Major Early Award For Best New Artist
British musician Olivia Dean started the night with a huge victory. She won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. This award recognizes a breakout artist who released a significant impact-making debut. Dean’s soulful music and powerful voice captivated audiences and critics over the last year. Her win in this competitive category marks a major milestone at the start of her promising career. It signals her arrival as a formidable new talent on the international music stage celebrated by the Recording Academy.
Kendrick Lamar Aims For A Historic Album Of The Year Win
Kendrick Lamar added another Grammy to his extensive collection with an early win. His focus now shifts to the night’s final and most coveted prize. Lamar is nominated for Album of the Year, an award he has never won despite critical acclaim. He is considered one of the most influential artists of his generation. Winning Album of the Year would be a historic capstone to his legendary career. It would affirm his album’s artistic and cultural impact as the most significant work of the year.
Bad Bunny Seeks To Make Grammy History With Album Of The Year
Global Latin trap star Bad Bunny also won an award before the main telecast. He is another strong contender for the Album of the Year trophy. A win for Bad Bunny would be groundbreaking for non-English language music. It would highlight the massive global influence of Latin artists in popular culture. His album dominated charts worldwide and defined the sound of the year for millions of fans. Winning the top award would be a historic moment for the artist and the entire Latin music community.
Lady Gaga Hopes For Her First Album Of The Year Grammy
Pop superstar Lady Gaga earned an early Grammy, adding to her previous total. She now competes for the one major award that has eluded her: Album of the Year. Gaga is celebrated for her artistic versatility, powerful vocals, and theatrical performances. She has won Grammys in multiple categories throughout her career. However, the Album of the Year award remains a key unclaimed prize. A victory would recognize her latest work as her most complete and acclaimed artistic statement to date.
The Night Builds Toward The Album Of The Year Announcement
The early wins create great anticipation for the final award announcement. The competition for Album of the Year is exceptionally strong this year. It features a diverse group of artists from different genres and backgrounds. Each nominee brings a unique story and a massively popular album to the category. The winner will join a legendary list of music icons. The decision is one of the most watched and debated moments in the entire music industry each year.
The Grammy Awards Celebrate A Year Of Musical Excellence
The 2026 Grammy Awards continue to honor the best recordings and artists of the previous year. The early ceremony awards over seventy categories across all genres of music. These include awards for production, engineering, songwriting, and performance. The main televised ceremony features the most popular categories and major musical performances. The event remains the music industry’s biggest night, celebrating artistic achievement, cultural impact, and the power of song to connect people around the world.

