68th Grammy Awards: celebrating historic wins, global sounds and record-breaking moments

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, February 1, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, bringing together established icons, rising stars and defining performances from across the music world.

The ceremony reflected the changing shape of the industry, with artists from different cultures, languages and genres sharing the spotlight on one of entertainment’s biggest stages.

Trevor Noah returned as host for the sixth and final time, guiding the night with ease and familiarity.

Tyla’s historic moment for African music

South African singer Tyla (born Tyla Laura Seethal) emerged as one of the standout winners of the night, claiming the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her song “PUSH 2 START”.

The track appears on the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album and continues her steady rise on the global stage.

This win marks Tyla’s second Grammy victory in the category, following her 2024 win for “Water". With this achievement, she became one of the few artists to secure the award twice since the category was introduced.

Her continued success signals the growing presence of African music at major international awards, highlighting how sounds rooted in the continent are shaping global pop culture.

The Best African Music Performance category was introduced in 2024 to recognise recordings grounded in African music traditions.

Its inclusion reflects a broader shift within the Grammys toward acknowledging music scenes that have long influenced the global industry.

Records, tributes and defining wins

The night was filled with major milestones and emotional moments. Kendrick Lamar had one of the most significant evenings, winning five awards, including Best Rap Album for “GNX”.

These wins brought his career total to 27 Grammys, officially surpassing Jay Z as the most awarded rapper in the history of the ceremony. 

Another highlight came with a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. A rock supergroup featuring Post Malone, Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith and Andrew Watt delivered a performance of “War Pigs" that honoured Osbourne’s influence on generations of musicians.

The tribute stood as one of the night’s most powerful reminders of rock music’s lasting impact.

The ceremony opened with a lively performance by Rosé and Bruno Mars, who set the tone with their collaboration “APT”.

Bad Bunny also made history by winning Album of the Year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”, becoming the first artist to take home the award for an album recorded entirely in Spanish.

Record of the Year went to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for “luther”, marking Lamar’s second consecutive win in the category.

Song of the Year was awarded to Billie Eilish and Finneas for “Wildflower”, making them the first songwriters to win the award three times.

Justin Bieber’s long-awaited return

One of the most talked-about moments of the night came from Justin Bieber, who returned to the Grammy stage for the first time in four years.

He performed “YUKON” from his album “Swag" in a pared-back setting that contrasted sharply with the arena-sized spectacle surrounding it.

Wearing boxers and socks, Bieber delivered an intimate performance that quickly became a viral talking point.

The simplicity of the moment drew attention away from production and toward the music itself, reminding audiences of his continued relevance in pop culture and his ability to command attention with restraint.

Performances that shaped the night

Beyond the headline moments, the ceremony featured a wide range of performances that kept the energy moving throughout the evening.

Sabrina Carpenter delivered a confident performance of “Manchild”, while the Best New Artist medley introduced audiences to emerging voices such as Olivia Dean, Leon Thomas and Lola Young.

Lady Gaga performed “Abracadabra”, reinforcing her position as a performer who consistently blends theatricality with precision. Tyler, The Creator also took the stage, adding to a line-up that reflected the diversity of current music trends.

The in memoriam segment provided a moment of reflection, honouring artists who passed away over the past year and reminding viewers of the legacies that continue to influence the industry.

Major winners of the night

Several artists left the ceremony with defining wins across key categories. Dean was named Best New Artist, marking a major milestone in her career.

Young claimed Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy”, while Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album for “Mayhem" and Best Dance Pop Recording for “Abracadabra”.

Thomas had a strong showing in the R&B categories, winning Best R&B Album for “MUTT” and Best Traditional R&B Performance for "VIBES DON’T LIE”.

FKA twigs won Best Dance Electronic Album for “Eusexua”, while Turnstile took home Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance.