Bad Bunny Makes History with ‘debí Tirar Más Fotos’ Grammy Win,Night Marked by Protest and Surprises
A watershed moment for Latin music unfolded at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards,as Bad Bunny’s critically acclaimed album,Debí Tirar Más fotos,secured the coveted Album of the Year prize. This victory marks the first time a Spanish-language album has received the honor, signaling a important shift in the music industry’s recognition of global sounds. “Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” Bad Bunny declared in his acceptance speech, referencing a common Puerto rican expression about the island’s size and influence.
The night wasn’t solely about Bad Bunny’s historic win. A powerful undercurrent of social and political commentary ran throughout the ceremony, with numerous artists using the platform to voice concerns about immigration policies. Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for “Wildflower” from her 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft, delivered a stark message, stating, “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and adding emphatically, “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”
Bad Bunny himself joined the chorus of protest, using his acceptance speech for the música urbana album award to condemn ICE. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he stated to resounding applause. “we’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. we are humans and we are americans.” This sentiment was echoed by Olivia dean, named Best New Artist, who shared that she was “up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” and that “immigrants built this country.” Shaboozey, accepting the award for country duo/group performance, dedicated his win to his mother, a retired registered nurse and immigrant, proclaiming, “Immigrants built this country, literally, actually.” Kehlani concluded her acceptance speech with a defiant “Imma leave this and say,(expletive) ICE,” while Gloria Estefan expressed backstage her fear regarding the current political climate and the plight of children in detention centers.
Beyond the political statements, the 68th Grammys celebrated a diverse range of musical talent. Kendrick lamar and SZA took home Record of the Year for “Luther,” though the presentation was momentarily marred by Cher mistakenly announcing “Luther Vandross” as the winner. Lamar also secured the Rap Album award for GNX,surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys,now totaling 27.Lady Gaga won Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem, and Lola Young claimed Pop Solo Performance for “Messy.” Jelly roll’s Beautifully Broken earned the inaugural Contemporary Country Album award, a category created alongside a Traditional Country Album category following controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter.
The ceremony also featured memorable performances and tributes. Lauryn Hill returned to the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, delivering a powerful medley honoring both D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. Tyler, the Creator presented a theatrical performance of his songs, while a medley featuring all eight Best New Artist nominees showcased the breadth of emerging talent. Rosé of Blackpink and Bruno Mars opened the show with a vibrant rendition of their collaboration, and Lady Gaga transformed her hit “Abracadabra” into an electro-rock anthem.
In a surprising turn of events, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice ketanji Brown Jackson. Additionally, KPop group Demon Hunters’ song “Golden” secured a win for Song Written for Visual Media, marking the first Grammy win for a K-pop act.Director Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status with his win for Music Film, Music for John Williams.The 68th grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles after a more subdued event the previous year due to local wildfires, proved to be a night of historic wins, powerful statements, and a renewed sense of flamboyance.
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