Snubs & Surprises at the 2026 GrammyAwards

Published: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6:43 am

Grammy Awards 2026: Surprises and Snubs Dominate the Night

The 2026 Grammy Awards delivered a night of unexpected wins and notable omissions, diverging from years where the winners in major categories were more predictable. The "Big Four" categories – Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist – saw surprising outcomes.

Bad Bunny took home Album of the Year, while Luther, a collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA, won Record of the Year. Song of the Year went to Wildflower, and Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist.

The awards ceremony featured several surprises. Lola Young's "Messy" won Best Pop Solo Performance, defeating Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild," which was nominated in more prominent categories. Billie Eilish and Finneas made history by becoming the first three-time winners of Song of the Year, this time for "Wildflower." Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande secured Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Defying Gravity," despite facing competition from more commercially successful songs. The Cure, in their 50-year career, won their first Grammys for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance. Jelly Roll also had a successful night, winning Best Contemporary Country Album, Best Country Duo/Group Performance, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

On the other hand, some artists experienced disappointment. Sabrina Carpenter, despite performing on the telecast for the second year in a row, went home empty-handed after a successful previous year. Eric Church's album, "Evangeline Vs. the Machine," lost in the Best Contemporary Country Album category, extending his Grammy record to 0-11.

BNN's Perspective: The 2026 Grammys highlight the evolving landscape of the music industry. While established artists continue to be recognized, the awards also showcase the rise of new talent and the unpredictable nature of artistic success. The diverse range of winners reflects a broader appreciation for various musical genres and styles.

Keywords: Grammy Awards, winners, snubs, surprises, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Sabrina Carpenter, Lola Young, Billie Eilish, Finneas, The Cure, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, music, awards ceremony.

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