Bad Bunny has become the first Latin artist to win album of the year in the 68-year history of the Grammy Awards, at a ceremony where dozens of stars railed against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
The shape-shifting musician beat Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar to win the night's top prize for his sixth album, Debí Tirar Mas Fotos, a personal and powerful exploration of Puerto Rico's musical history.
The 31-year-old, who will headline next week's Super Bowl half-time show, dedicated the award to immigrants who leave their home, land, their country, to follow their dreams.
British singer Olivia Dean, who was named best new artist, also used her speech to defend immigrants. I'm up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant, she stated, highlighting the bravery of those seeking better lives.
Stars including Kehlani, Gloria Estefan, and Billie Eilish expressed solidarity with immigrants, many artists adorned badges reading ICE out on the red carpet.
Bad Bunny, real name Benito Ocasio, seemed stunned when Harry Styles read out his name for the album of the year prize, taking a moment to collect himself as tears filled his eyes during his speech.
Earlier in the ceremony, winning the prize for best musicá urbana album, he spoke more directly about his feelings toward immigration enforcement, stating, Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out. He asserted, We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans.
This Grammy season witnessed Bad Bunny take home three awards, marking a significant milestone for Latin music, which has often been sidelined by the Anglophone music industry.
The advent of streaming has played a vital role in dismantling language barriers, contributing to Bad Bunny's status as the most-played artist on Spotify last year with a staggering 19.8 billion streams.
Accepting his historic award, Bad Bunny addressed the themes of grief and loss that informed his record, dedicating it to those who have lost loved ones and had to persist in the face of adversity.
This momentous win symbolizes a broader cultural shift within the music industry as it embraces the contributions of Latin artists.
