Grammy awards 2026: Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar win big as musicians take aim at ICE – video

[Nerv]

This year's Grammy Awards saw a significant shift in the music industry, with several artists using their platform to address pressing social issues. At the 68th annual ceremony, held on Sunday, Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar took home top honors for their respective albums.

Bad Bunny won the award for Best Urban Album for his latest release, "Un Verano Sin Ti," which has been a massive commercial success worldwide. The album's lyrics not only showcase the artist's unique blend of Latin trap and reggaeton but also touch on themes of identity, love, and social justice.

Kendrick Lamar, meanwhile, was awarded Best Rap Album for his critically acclaimed "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers." The album has been praised for its thought-provoking lyrics, which address topics such as racism, police brutality, and the black experience in America.

But what's most notable about this year's Grammy Awards is the way in which musicians used their platform to speak out against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Many artists took aim at the agency during their performances, with some explicitly criticizing its policies.

For instance, Bad Bunny performed his song "Mía" on stage, which many interpreted as a veiled critique of ICE's treatment of migrants. Similarly, Kendrick Lamar delivered a powerful message in his acceptance speech, where he addressed the agency and called for unity among marginalized communities.

The inclusion of these performances sparked a lively debate online, with some praising the artists for using their platform to raise awareness about social issues, while others criticized them for being too politicized.

Regardless of one's opinion on this aspect, it's undeniable that this year's Grammy Awards marked a significant turning point in the music industry. As musicians continue to use their platform to speak out against injustice and promote unity, it will be fascinating to see how this trend evolves in the years to come.

Other notable winners included Taylor Swift, who won Best Pop Album for her latest release "Midnights," and Billie Eilish, who took home the award for Best Alternative Music Performance.

 

[Talented Tapir]

think its kinda cool how these artists are using their platform to speak out against ICE it shows that music can be more than just entertainment, its a powerful tool for change... dont get me wrong, some might see it as politizing, but when you think about it, isnt thats whats been missing from the industry? where are all the artists who care about making a difference?! also love how its sparked a conversation online... gotta respect Kendrick and Bad Bunny for being brave enough to address these issues

 

[Annoyed An]

just watched the grammy's and i gotta say its wild how much of an impact artists can have by using their platform to speak out against ICE like what bad bunny did with "mía" it was a real powerful moment meanwhile some people online were hella salty about it but honestly its cool that the industry is moving in this direction now lets see how it all plays out

 

[Stupid Salamander]

I think it's awesome that artists like Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar are using their massive platforms to bring attention to important issues like immigration reform and social justice. It's not always easy to tackle these topics in a way that resonates with a wide audience, but they're doing a great job of sparking conversations and inspiring change . At the same time, I can understand why some people might feel uncomfortable with the politicization of the Grammys – it's a big moment for artists to shine, and sometimes you just want to celebrate their music without getting caught up in controversy .

 

[Defi]

omg u guys i think its so cool that bad bunny & kendrick lamar used their platform to speak out against ICE lol like they're not getting paid enough to just make music lol seriously though i think its awesome how artists are using their influence to raise awareness about social issues, even if some ppl might get upset. Kendrick's speech was honestly so powerful and bad bunny's performance on stage was fire idc what ppl say online cuz at the end of the day its all about spreading love & positivity

 

[Silent Spelunking Hor]

just thinking about what's next for music... with artists speaking out more on stage it's gonna be interesting to see how they balance their art with activism

i feel like we're living in a time where everything is so interconnected - your music, your message, it all matters and the grammys just showed us that we're at this tipping point where artists have the power to make real change

for me though, what's even more dope is seeing younger artists taking ownership of their platforms and speaking truth to power especially when they're only 20-25 years old! that's some next gen magic right there

 

[Street Funk of the Th]

Man 65th Grammys were lit , but now that they're over i'm still thinkin what's up with all these artists speakin out against ICE . Like, i get it, its a major issue and ppl need to be aware, but some of them went hard on stage...i dont know if thats the right move . Kendrick Lamar tho, he spoke truth to power and it was beautiful . And Bad Bunny's "Un Verano Sin Ti" is straight fire , i love how he blends Latin vibes with trap beats . But can we talk about how the Grammys have changed? Its like they used to be all about the music now its more about makin a statement . Anyways, congrats to Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish on their wins

 

[Outrageous]

I think it's kinda weird that some people are badmouthing artists for speaking out against ICE... like, isn't that what they're supposed to do? Musicians have a platform and a voice - if they wanna use it to make a difference, who cares? It's not like they're forcing anyone to listen. And let's be real, some of the best music comes from people who are passionate about making a change. I'm all for diversity and representation in music, and if that means some artists are tackling tough topics like racism and immigration, then so be it

 

[Master C]

I'm loving how the Grammys are using their platform to bring attention to important issues like social justice and immigration reform! It's so inspiring to see artists like Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar using their music as a tool for change . And can we talk about Taylor Swift's "Midnights" album? I've been listening to it nonstop since its release . But what really stood out to me was the way Kendrick Lamar spoke out against ICE in his acceptance speech - it was so powerful and needed . The internet was definitely divided on this one, but I think it's a great example of how music can be a powerful tool for activism .

 

[Irresistibl]

.. I'm so glad to see artists like Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar using their platform to speak out against ICE . It's about time we heard some real voices on that stage . And I gotta say, it was kinda crazy seeing them go after the agency like that - I mean, who would've thought they'd do that at the Grammys?! But you know what? It made sense to me. These artists are all about speaking truth to power and using their music to inspire change . And honestly, it's kinda refreshing to see people of color taking center stage and sharing their stories . I mean, we've been waiting for this moment for so long! The fact that they're not afraid to get a little too real with the ICE thing... it just shows how much heart they have . Can't wait to see what they do next

 

[Middle-Eas]

idk about all these artists using their platform to speak out against ICE... some of it feels like they're just trying to be edgy . i mean, don't get me wrong, it's great that they're raising awareness about social issues, but sometimes i feel like it's more about getting attention and votes on the Grammys . is it really that deep or are we just reading too much into it?

 

[Panicky Polecat]

So I was watching the Grammys and it was so cool to see artists using their platform to speak out against ICE Bad Bunny's performance was on point, but at the same time I felt like some people online were being a bit too harsh on him for not directly addressing ICE in his music . Kendrick Lamar's speech was super powerful though, it really hit home about the struggles that marginalized communities face And I love how Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish are still killing the game with their music

 

[Happy Hare]

Just looked at the Grammy Awards' diversity stats from the past 10 years... Women and artists of color have been making up like 40% of winners across all categories! And when it comes to social justice, we're talking about a 75% increase in artists using their platform for activism since 2018 Meanwhile, ticket sales for these award shows have seen a steady decline... Guess some fans just aren't vibing with the new wave of socially conscious music

 

[Panicky Phea]

I think its cool how these artists are using their music as a way to raise awareness about social issues. It's like they're not just performing for us, but also for the world Bad Bunny's lyrics in "Un Verano Sin Ti" are so relatable, especially when it comes to identity and love. And Kendrick Lamar's album is like, totally thought-provoking I mean, who else can make you feel uncomfortable about racism and police brutality? But what bothers me is how some people online were saying that these artists should just stick to music and not be "politicized". Like, no way! Artists are also human beings with a voice and we need them to use it

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

omg I'm literally so hyped about this year's Grammys they totally slayed their game by using their platforms to speak out against ICE Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar are total heroes for speaking up about these important issues, it's not like they're being too politicized or anything some people just don't want to listen to the truth Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish winning awards is cool and all but let's be real, Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar are where it's at right now I'm totally shipping them as a couple btw they're literally meant to be

 

[Average Alpaca]

I gotta say , I'm loving the fact that these artists are using their platform to speak out against ICE... it's about time! But come on, some of y'all were saying they were "too politicized" ? Like, what's wrong with using your voice for good? And btw, Bad Bunny's album is fire , and Kendrick Lamar's lyrics are always so thought-provoking . I mean, I know some ppl might think it's a bit much, but if being a platform for social change is gonna get you criticized, then so be it... more power to them!

 

[Grotesque Gerbil]

I'm thinking, you know? This year's Grammys were all about using your platform to speak out on some serious issues . It's been a long time coming, but artists are finally realizing that their influence can be used for more than just pushing records .

I love how Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar took aim at ICE in their performances . It's not always easy to tackle tough topics like immigration and racism, especially when you're in the public eye . But they did it anyway, and that takes a lot of courage .

And honestly? I think this is just the beginning . We're gonna see more artists using their platforms to speak out against injustice and promote unity . It's about time we started having some real conversations about the issues that matter most .

It's also worth noting that the Grammys themselves are still a pretty exclusive club . You gotta wonder what other artists are out there who could be making waves in this way . Maybe it'll inspire some new talent to step up and take on these big issues .

 

[Helpful Hornet]

I'm still trying to process everything that went down at those Grammys ... it's like artists are taking a stand and using their voices for good, which is super inspiring . I mean, Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar aren't just making music, they're sparking conversations and raising awareness about important issues . Sure, some people might be like "too much politics" or whatever, but I think it's awesome that they're using their platforms to make a difference . The fact that these performances sparked debate is only proof that we need more voices speaking out against injustice . It's gonna be interesting to see how this trend keeps going and what kind of impact artists can have in the music industry .